Tyson Harrison Planning Epic Comeback From ‘Lowest Point’ At ONE Friday Fights 68
After a tough time both inside and outside the ring, Tyson “John Wayne Noi” Harrison feels like he has a reason to move forward again.
The Australian striker returns in a bantamweight Muay Thai clash against Sibmuen Coach Nay at ONE Friday Fights 68 on June 28, and his goal is to erase the sting of defeat he suffered at the hands of “Left Meteorite” Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai last September.
Forced to retire at the end of the first round and with a broken hand for his troubles, Harrison couldn’t train or compete while he recovered from surgery, and he hit a downward skid of drinking and partying with nothing to keep him on track.
However, all healed up and with his next match set at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, “John Wayne Noi” has himself back on the right track.
He explained:
“I never really had a very good way of dealing with defeat. That definitely showed that last fight. I really went into self-destruct mode for a bit.
“That was probably my lowest point. With the [broken] hand and the situation and whatnot. I didn’t have a purpose. I couldn’t train. I couldn’t do anything, and I realized how badly I need Muay Thai.
“Now that I can fight again, it’s like I’ve got a purpose. I feel like, without Muay Thai, I probably wouldn’t even be alive, or I’d be a pretty bad person doing bad stuff that I used to do back in the day.
“It’s important to have something that you need to be around for. I need to be here to be the best in Muay Thai.”
Although the results didn’t all go his way, Harrison’s star grew exponentially in 2023. His epic war with Seksan Or Kwanmuang at ONE Friday Fights 1 set the stage for an exciting year to come, and he thrilled the crowds in five fights from January to September.
He was disappointed to end it injured and on a loss, but the hunger inside him has grown because he knows how much “the art of eight limbs” means to him.
Eager to step back over the ropes for his clash with Sibmuen, the Sangtiennoi Muay Thai Gym athlete said:
“It was pretty hard to get over that situation. But I’m back now, so I’m ready to get back in there.
“It’s a good match up and I think it’s gonna be a good fight. He’s exactly who I want to fight, someone with heart. I’m ready to get in there and get that feeling again. I need it so bad.”
Harrison Working On New Approach To Put Sibmuen Away
Tyson Harrison’s aggressive – and sometimes reckless – fighting style has endeared him to the ONE fan base, who can’t get enough of his riveting back-and-forth battles.
But since his setback last September, he’s had plenty of time to think about how he wants to approach his career now that he’s healthy again.
While he won’t rule out biting down on his mouthpiece and trading leather with Sibmuen Coach Nay on June 28 if he has to, the 23-year-old wants to show other sides to his game to leave with the victory.
He said:
“I’ll be a lot more focused in this fight. I still have that go in me. But I can’t really just let go. It’s pretty important that I do what I’m supposed to in this fight, play it smarter.
“I didn’t really have much to lose back in the last few fights, but now there’s a little bit more at stake. I’m ready to do what I’ve got to do – fight hard, but smarter.
“But then again, I’ll say all that and then I get in there and just get in a bloody war. But we’ll see what happens!”
Whichever approach Harrison ends up taking, he feels like he’ll have the edge in will and determination when he clashes with two-time Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Sibmuen.
But, if he can stick to the plan, “John Wayne Noi” believes he can break his durable rival to return in style and put his issues behind him.
Harrison said:
“I want it more than him. I know that. The place I’m at in my career, I just feel that no one wants it more than I do, and that’s what it could come down to.
“You’ll be seeing a different sort of style from me, a lot more calculated. The shots will build up, an accumulation of landing in the right spot. And yeah, I feel like it could finish early for him.”
