By James Bovington
Thai boxers from Bramley’s Bad Company Gym are excitedly the opportunity to fight on next Saturday’s Hitman show in Manchester alongside teammate and world-famous champion Jordan Watson who’s scheduled for his first UK appearance since 2021.
Watson, 38, trains and manages fighters from his gym in Thailand. He started training at Bad Company at the tender age of six shortly after Richard Smith and Lisa Houghton-Smith opened their York Road gym in 1993.
Known as a hard puncher who often produces a devastating head kick, Watson has won numerous titles at welterweight and middleweight and is the current and only 70kg titleholder for Thai promotion Yakkao. Manchester is his 70th bout, with 52 wins including 22 by knockout.
Finlay and Fergus Smith figure on the main card. “I’m aiming for my sixth Hitman win,” said Finlay, 21. “Hitman is a highly professional promotion, a level above many others.” Younger brother Fergus, 19, competed in Bangkok last year on the ONE championship which is linked with Hitman and is now the top European Thai boxer at 54kg.
Hitman offers opportunities to aspiring champions.
“My second time on Hitman,” said college student Charlie Bedford, 17. “None of us can wait.
“I won my three bouts last year including a gold medal at the Verona tournament. Hitman is the pinnacle for young and ambitious northern fighters, and I’m honoured to have been selected.
“I’ve been absolutely committed to training for weeks to ensure I win on Hitman and win when representing Team England in Bangkok this coming June.”
Cain Sykes, 16, was already experienced in Muay Thai when he joined Bad Company in 2024. He’s also been selected for the national squad going to Bangkok and has won gold at the British championships.
“I won my previous Hitman bout, and I’m delighted to have been invited back,” said Cain. “The show’s called Legends. Exactly what some of the older fighters are. Jordan Watson. Liam Harrison. Andy Howson. Charlie and I plan to become legends for the next generation. The atmosphere at Hitman is exciting, exhilarating even and I’m determined to entertain fans and prove myself.”
Twenty-four-year-old former professional rugby player and engineer Travis Corion is “looking forward my first Hitman. It’s a great opportunity to prove to myself who I am.
“I started my Muay Thai journey to prove to myself that I could do it. Now I’m hopefully able to showcase to everyone what I’m capable of on the biggest card in the North. I’ve only been at Bad Company a short time and I’m absolutely buzzing at getting matched. I’m proud to be training in Leeds as our city is getting so well known for the quality of Muay Thai.”
Callum Rowland, 28, is a full-time civil engineer and is making his fourth Hitman appearance. “I’m feeling ready as I’ve concentrated on training and getting nutrition right. This is a rematch with Anthony Creighton following his split decision win in Leeds in November. I intend to get the win.”
Zach Hasson, 17, won a stunning victory on November’s Leeds Hitman and fights in Manchester along with Bad Company’s younger fighters Keevah Render, Cole Chapman and Peyton Silverblade.
The Manchester Hitman show Legends takes place at the BEC Arena Trafford Park on 28 February. For further information about Bad Company contact 07885 270267 or e-mail rmsbadco@gmail.com.
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