Liam Harrison says Superlek will be in trouble “if he starts to feel that altitude” against Jonathan Haggerty in Denver
Superlek Kiatmoo9 has always trained at his own pace, but Liam Harrison fears it could lead to some consequences come fight night.
The reigning ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion has yet to fly to Colorado for his challenge of the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title against Jonathan Haggerty at ONE 168: Denver.
Superlek will try to reach champ-champ status against the two-sport king on September 6 at Ball Arena.
in an interview with the South China Morning Post, Harrison said Superlek might get in trouble if he doesn't acclimate properly ahead of his super fight against Haggerty.
Liam Harrison added that even if Superlek operates at his normal pace in the first three rounds, he could be in jeopardy once the fight reaches the fourth and fifth.
"This is a five-round fight, Superlek vs Haggerty. If he starts to gas mid-rounds. Not only that, Haggerty is sufficiently bigger than him as well. Superlek comfortably made 135 about six weeks ago. Haggerty is a lot lot bigger than him. So if he starts to feel that altitude and gas mid-rounds. It's going to be massively in Jonathan's favor this fight," said Harrison.
Denver sits at an elevation of 1,609 meters above sea level, and the thin air has always been an issue for athletes competing in the city.
Haggerty, who also holds the ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title, has been training in Denver for almost a week and has steadily acclimated to the city's thin air and elevation.
Tickets for ONE 168 are available at Ticketmaster.
Liam Harrison is determined to put on a barnburner against Seksan in Denver
Liam Harrison may be worried about Superlek, but he also has a match of his own to focus on.
'Hitman' will take on Thai icon Seksan in an all-legends Muay Thai clash at ONE 168.
In the same interview with the South China Morning Post, Harrison said his constant call-outs of Seksan were borne out of respect and that he can't wait to face 'The Man Who Yields To No One' in Denver.
"I've wanted to fight him for ages, and not out of disrespect for him or hatred. It's all love and admiration for one of my heroes. To be able to share the ring with him would be incredible."
Watch Harrison's entire interview below: