Liam Harrison admits he didn’t feel like himself during Seksan fight: “There’s only so much your body can go through”
Liam Harrison knew immediately after his return to the Circle at ONE 168: Denver that it was time to lay down his gloves.
After more than two years on the shelf following a devastating knee injury, 'Hitman' looked to give it one more go in The Mile High City against Thai legend Seksan Or Kwanmuang.
Unfortunately, things did not go Harrison's way.
Going toe-to-toe with 'The Man Who Yields To No One' in another instant classic, Harrison hit the mat three times in the second round, bringing an end to their bout and handing Seksan his ninth win under the ONE Championship banner.
Immediately following the matchup, Harrison confirmed that he would be retiring from the sport after more than two decades, recognizing that Father Time has finally caught up with him. Speaking at the ONE 168: Denver post-fight press conference, he said:
"The level of competition here is unbelievable, it’s the best of the best. And it’s just a shame that Father Time is catching up with me a little bit. Like I said I’m gutted, but what am I meant to do? There’s only so much your body can go through."
Liam Harrison has plenty to cherish from his two-decade journey at the top
If this truly is the end for Liam Harrison, the Leeds, England native closes out his career with 90 career wins with 44 of them coming by way of KO/TKO.
Along the way, 'The Hitman' has captured world titles under the WMC, WBC, and WPMF banners while competing against some of the biggest names in the history of the art of eight limbs.
Adding to his comments, Harrison knows that he still has the heart and the desire to compete, but is finally ready to acquiesce to the fact that his body simply can't keep up anymore. He added:
"I'll always get up if I get knocked down. But just a few years ago, those shots wouldn't have put me down. I'd have walked through them. And that's the thing I've got. The heart, in abundance, still".
"It's just that I haven't got the physical attributes the need to go with that. And if you can't take the damage, which you need to be able to take as much as you can get, I know I just can't anymore."
If you missed any of the action, ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch the ONE 168: Denver replay on demand via Amazon Prime Video.