Floyd Mayweather comes to London in February
Mayweather agrees to fight another British "Hitman"
Floyd Mayweather is set to have his first ever fight in UK against British kickboxing star Liam Harrison at the O2 Arena in London on February 25.
The American star, who retired from professional boxing undefeated, is heading to the UK for his next fight after confirming he will take on Liam Harrison.
The boxing legend will make his British debut with the exhibition showdown set for the last weekend in February in North Greenwich.
"Money", who will turn 46 the day before the bout, confirmed the news on Instagram by sharing the official poster for the event.
He captioned it with: “#London February 25th, It’s official. My first exhibition fight in the UK will be at the O2 Arena ???????? Tickets go on sale next week. Stay Tuned!!”
Harrison, 37, is a decorated Muay Thai fighter from Leeds.
“The Hitman” has an incredible career record of 90-25-2 (50 KO) in his sport.
Mayweather’s last professional contest came back in 2017 when he moved to 50-0 with a comfortably victory over UFC star Conor McGregor.
But since hanging up the gloves as a pro, he has kept himself busy by raking in millions through exhibition contests.
He has faced Don Moore in Abu Dhabi, Mikuru Asakura in Japan, and Logan Paul in the US. Then in November, he beat KSI's brother Deji in Dubai, but received a black eye in the process.
Who is Liam Harrison?
Liam "The Hitman" Harrison was born October 5th, 1985, and is an English welterweight Muay Thai fighter, currently fighting out of Bad Company when based in the UK and trains at Jitti Gym and Yokkao Training Center in Bangkok when fighting in Thailand.
Now aged 37, he has accumulated an outstanding record of 90-25-2, 50KOs
Brought up in his hometown of Leeds, Liam first started training in Muay Thai aged 13, when he joined the Bad Company gym in Harehills. There he trained under Richard Smith, still his current trainer, who is a former British, Commonwealth and European kickboxing champion.
Liam was a large kid for his age and made his amateur debut aged 14, winning in a no head contact fight. He made his pro debut not much later, just before his 15th birthday, defeating Martin Shivnan via knockout in 30 seconds. Success on his pro debut lead to a number of victories on the local scene culminating in a bout for the S.I.M.T.A. Northern Area title, which he won against opponent Abdul Arif, again by first-round knockout.
Between 2000 and 2004 Liam established himself as the top fighter in the UK within his weight class, having moved up from featherweight to super-lightweight.
In 2004 Harrison travelled to Italy where he was supposed to face reigning champion Massimo Rizzoli for his W.A.K.O. low-kick kickboxing world title. Rizzoli suffered an injury and Liam faced the W.A.K.O. European champion Emannuel Di Profetis instead. Despite the late change of opponent and fighting in a rule set different from Muay Thai, Harrison won the match by TKO to become world champion.
Undefeated going into 2005, he made his Thai debut in August of that year, losing a split decision to Witthayanoi Sitkuanem at Rajadamnern Stadium in what was the first defeat of his pro career. Harrison suffered a second consecutive loss a few months later on his return to England, losing to another Thai in Duwao Kongudom who was a highly rated Omnoi Stadium champion, in a match in Wolverhampton.
Despite suffering two defeats including losing his Thai debut Harrison headed back to Thailand at the end of 2005. He won his first title on Thai soil by defeating a much bigger Russian opponent to claim the Patong Stadium belt at 68kg. With his first victory in Thailand, Liam strung together five more victories in the country throughout 2006, which included winning the W.P.M.F. super-lightweight belt against reigning champion Masa Hiroshima as well as retaining his Patong stadium title. That year was awarded the "Leeds Sports Federation Sportsman of the Year" award.
In 2008 Harrison fought a number of bouts at Bad Company promoted shows in his home town of Leeds, with wins over Benabdeljelil Mehdi and Masaru Ito. He also retained his W.M.C. lightweight world title by stopping Sarmsamut Kiatchongkao in June of that year. In 2009 Harrison lost a decision to Saenchai Sor Kingstar in London. He then headed to Jamaica to face Anuwat Kaewsamrit, being defeated via TKO and losing his W.M.C. world title in what was his first ever stoppage loss.
In 2018, Harrison inked a non-exclusive deal with ONE Championship to compete in ONE Super Series Muay Thai. He lost his first two bouts to Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy at ONE: Destiny of Champions and Rodlek at ONE: Legendary Quest, but won by first-round KO in his third bout with the organization at ONE: A New Tomorrow against Mohammed Bin Mahmoud.
Harrison was scheduled to face the former Lumpinee Boxing Stadium champion Muangthai P.K. Saenchaimuaythaigym at ONE 156 on 22 April 2022. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout. Harrison was awarded a $100,000 bonus for winning the fight.
Roll of Honour
Titles
2016 Kombat League World Champion
2014 WBC Muaythai (147 lbs) World Champion
2011 WBC Muaythai (147 lbs) International Champion
2007-09 W.M.C. Muaythai Lightweight World Champion -61.5 kg (1 title defense)
2006-07 W.P.M.F. Muaythai World Champion -63.5 kg (2 title defenses – vacated)
2006 Patong Stadium Muaythai Super Welterweight Champion -68 kg (1 title defense)
2005 S.I.M.T.A. Muaythai Lightweight European Champion -61.5 kg
2001 S.I.M.T.A. Muaythai Super Featherweight Northern Area Champion -52 kg
2004 W.A.K.O. Pro Low-kick Kickboxing World Champion -62 kg
2007/08 Leeds Sports Federation Sportsman of the Year winner
2007 Muay Siam Magazine Foreign Fighter of the Year winner
2006/07 Leeds Sports Federation Sportsman of the Year winner
2004/05 Leeds Sports Federation Sportsman of the Year runner up
