Issue 044
December 2008
It’s not everyday that a British fighter is deemed one to look out for, especially not at the tender age of twenty-one.
With his well-rounded skill set, tough conditioning and relentless killer instinct, John ‘The Hitman’ Hathaway is not just one to keep an eye on – he’s a champion in the making.
“I suppose I’m lucky in that I’m well rounded,” says Hathaway humbly. “My skill set sort of sets me apart from other British fighters. When they’re in trouble, most of them will fall back on what they know best, which is usually stand-up. When I fight, I don’t find myself going from stand-up mode, to clinch mode, to grappling mode – it all seems to blend into one.”
The Zero Tolerance team member first started competing three years ago, and has racked up an impressive 9-0-0 record, including two brutal first-round stoppages at Cage Rage. But while he has displayed incredible potential by dominating every opponent to come his way, Hathaway is the first to admit that there’s still a lot of sweat, blood and tears ahead.
“One fight at a time,” says the upstart welterweight. “That’s the way I want to move forward right now. Of course to fight in the UFC is the dream, but I’ve got time to get there – and Cage Rage has been a very good home. I think they’ve really been able to set up the right fights for me.”
Despite having years ahead of him, The Hitman is determined to train alongside the best while his career is still young. With his home camp taking care of his stand-up and wrestling, Hathaway has decided to head stateside for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu – and who better to train with than controversial submissions whizz Eddie Bravo?
“I’ve learned so much from Eddie,” says Hathaway, who hints that we may see some of Bravo’s patented rubber guard in the future. “He’s a real character. Training at Legends [Bravo’s gym] is great too. Often you’ll get the best from all over the world dropping by.”
Conditioning is another aspect of the game that Hathaway takes very seriously. To The Hitman, the ability to outlast your opponent is a dangerous weapon in itself. Years of working as a personal trainer have allowed Hathaway to break his conditioning workouts down to an effective science, all focused around on thing: performance.
With a whole generation of well-rounded young fighters just around the corner, Hathaway’s natural gifts, in tandem with his work ethic, could very well be what will separate the standout welterweight from future competition. But when will he be ready for his first true test with a tough international opponent?
“It’ll happen soon,” says Hathaway. “I don’t choose my opponents of course, I take whatever a promoter happens to offer me. But soon I’ll be ready to become a full time fighter, and start taking on tougher opposition.” In the meantime, The Hitman will just have to take it one training session at a time.
