Liddard survives a grueling 12-round fight to maintain his British and Commonwealth middleweight championships.
Category: Sports
LONDON — George Liddard successfully defended his British and Commonwealth middleweight titles on Saturday evening at the Copper Box Arena, but it was no easy feat against the experienced Tyler Denny. The 23-year-old Liddard, now 14-0 with 8 KOs, faced a stern test from the 34-year-old Denny, whose record fell to 21-4-3 with 1 KO after the unanimous decision loss.
From the opening bell, Liddard came out strong, landing sharp jabs and right hands that initially had Denny on the back foot. It looked like Liddard might secure an early finish, but Denny proved resilient, clinching and wrestling to disrupt Liddard’s rhythm. The fight, which lasted the full 12 rounds, was marked by competitive exchanges, particularly from the third round onward.
“He brought more than I expected, but I’m grateful for that,” Liddard said after the fight. “I took him 12 rounds. I’ve never been 12 rounds before. I’m on a path to the top. We didn’t get the knockout, but that’s okay.”
The crowd of approximately 5,000 at the Copper Box Arena witnessed an intense battle characterized by Denny’s scrappy tactics. Liddard started the match well, hurting Denny with a right hand to the body early on. Denny, a former European champion, fought back valiantly, landing a sweeping left hand that caught Liddard’s attention.
By the end of the fifth round, Denny raised his arm defiantly, signaling that he was still very much engaged. He managed to find success with his own punches, especially a left hand that landed cleanly on Liddard’s jaw during the fourth round. Denny’s ability to absorb punishment and counter effectively kept the contest competitive.
The judges scored the fight 116-112 across the board, a reflection of Liddard’s dominance but not entirely indicative of Denny’s efforts. Eddie Hearn, Liddard’s promoter, praised his fighter’s fitness and composure, noting that Liddard’s youth and stamina played a key role. “Fitness won him the fight,” Hearn said. “He had to work hard, especially down the stretch.”
Throughout the fight, Denny utilized clinching and close-range fighting to disrupt Liddard's flow. The strategy appeared to frustrate Liddard, who struggled to maintain distance at times. Denny’s right eye began to swell by the seventh round, a sign of the punishment he was absorbing, yet he continued to press forward.
“The one thing we have to keep remembering is, he’s 23; most people don’t even turn pro at his age,” Hearn added, emphasizing Liddard’s early success and potential for growth. “He’s on a development path that’s remarkable.”
Both fighters exchanged heavy shots, particularly during a thrilling ninth round that saw them trading body punches and power shots. Denny landed a notable body shot that seemed to hurt Liddard, but the champion responded with a flurry of counter punches that showcased his strength and skill.
Entering the final round, Liddard looked to finish strong, pushing the pace and landing combinations that kept Denny on the defensive. Denny, for his part, continued to tie up Liddard and avoid taking more damage, displaying the veteran savvy that has characterized his career.
After the final bell rang, the two fighters embraced, a gesture of mutual respect after a hard-fought battle. Liddard acknowledged the learning experience, stating, “There was a lot to learn. I’m back to the drawing board.”
The victory puts Liddard on a fast track for bigger opportunities, with Hearn hinting at a potential matchup against former WBO champion Liam Smith later this year. “We actually agreed to fight Liam Smith here tonight, but he wanted more time,” Hearn revealed. “That’s the type of fight George Liddard wants.”
Meanwhile, the undercard featured several notable performances. Giorgio Visioli (11-0, 6 KOs) retained his English lightweight title with a dominant unanimous decision over Levi Giles (17-3-1, 4 KOs), scoring 99-90, 100-89, and 99-90 on the judges’ cards. Visioli showcased his superior hand speed and ring IQ, dropping Giles with a combination and controlling the fight from start to finish.
Jimmy Sains (12-0, 10 KOs) faced a tough challenge from Derrick Osaze (13-4, 3 KOs) but managed to retain his English middleweight title with a close majority decision, scoring 95-95, 96-94, and 97-93. Sains had to dig deep against Osaze, who pressed the action and landed several right hands early on.
Emmanuel Buttigieg (12-0, 4 KOs) also made headlines with a dramatic ninth-round knockout of Jake Goodwin (8-3-1, 1 KO) after being docked two points for repeated mouthguard dislodgements. Buttigieg, who had been trailing on the scorecards, landed a crushing right hand that sent Goodwin to the canvas, securing the victory and preserving his unbeaten record.
With Liddard’s star on the rise and a potential showdown with Smith on the horizon, the stage is set for even bigger nights for British boxing. The Copper Box Arena was the perfect backdrop for a night filled with grit, determination, and the promise of future champions.