"You need to be strong-minded" - Jonathan Haggerty says there's more to just “hard work” in the life of a professional athlete

ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Haggerty has never had it easy from the very start of his career, and that's the message he wants to send to anyone willing to follow in his footsteps.

'The General' duked out alongside some of the brightest talents in the United Kingdom from his teenage days.

Despite going up against more experienced and older foes, he continued to make his way to the top of the charts before joining the ONE Championship roster.

While success has followed suit, with Jonathan Haggerty claiming three different world titles under the promotional spotlight (two in Muay Thai and one in kickboxing), he reveals he had to put himself through the wringer to make his dream come true.

The British striking dynamo spoke about this on the Winners Talking Podcast, admitting that there is no secret to the success he enjoys today:

"It's all down to hard work. If I were to tell anyone getting into this sport, I'd tell them it's hard. And there's more to that.

"You're going to have the highest of the highs, the lowest of the lows. You need to be strong-minded and not let opinions get to you. Listen to your coach. Your coach is the one that's with you at all times."

Watch his full appearance on the Winners Talking Podcast here:

Haggerty's next fight in ONE Championship takes place at ONE 171: Qatar inside the Lusail Sports Arena on Feb. 20.

That evening on the promotion's return to the Middle East, the Englishman is locked in for his first ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title defense against Chinese star 'Demon Blade' Wei Rui.

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Jonathan Haggerty senses "a tough road" in quest to reclaim Muay Thai gold

Jonathan Haggerty wants a trilogy fight against 'The Kicking Machine' Superlek Kiatmoo9 to reclaim his ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title if he bags the W at ONE 171: Qatar.

He, however, knows the road to overcoming the two-sport world champion will be as tough as it gets.

Haggerty spoke about this in the same interview, saying:

"I'm definitely game to take that Muay Thai belt back. But I'll be honest, it's a long road. A tough road. But I'm ready for it."

The Thai megastar pulled off a huge upset at ONE 168: Denver this past September, delivering an elbow from hell that slept the former in less than a minute.