George Liddard and Tyler Denny made weight ahead of Saturday’s battle for the British and Commonwealth middleweight titles at London’s Copper Box Arena.
It’s a familiar storyline heading into this one: Liddard, 13-0 (8 KOs) and 159.7lbs, is the favorite, the champion, and the younger man who is rising fast; Denny, 21-3-3 (1 KO) and also 159.7lbs, is the underdog, a former European champion, and the older man perceived to be on the way down.
Liddard, from nearby Billericay in Essex, is also show promoter Matchroom Boxing’s fighter. In short, it’s not in the script for 34-year-old Denny, from the rough and ready Rowley Regis in the West Midlands, to win this one.
“It’s just business as usual for me,” said the challenger. “For most of my career, in all the big fights, I have always been the underdog. So it means nothing to me… I think he is a top fighter and he’ll have a good future. But Saturday is not going to be his night. My confidence is at an all-time high.”
The bout will be streamed live on DAZN and is scheduled for 12 rounds. Liddard, however, is feeling so swell he would happily fight over a longer distance.
“If it got changed to a 15-rounder, I’d be ready for it,” said the 23-year-old. “I train for 15 and 18 rounds. We can go into deep waters… I do believe I will get the job done in style.”
Other significant weights:
10 rounds, English middleweight title
Jimmy Sains 159.6lbs
Derrick Osaze 159.6lbs
10 rounds, English lightweight title
Giorgio Visioli 134.9lbs
Levi Giles 134.6lbs
10 rounds, middleweight contest
Emmanuel Buttigieg 159.4lbs
Jake Goodwin 159.6lbs
