George Liddard defends his newly-acquired British and Commonwealth titles against Tyler Denny on March 21.
As BoxingScene reported last month, the 23-year-old Liddard will take on arguably his stiffest test in the pros against former European champion Denny at the Copper Box in London with Matchroom loading up the card with their prospects from the capital and the south of the country.
Also on the card are Giorgio Visioli, and Liddard’s middleweight stablemate Jimmy Sains, who – like Liddard – trains with Tony Sims.
It is Liddard’s first bout since his impressive performance against Kieron Conway, whom he stopped in the 10th round at London’s York Hall last October.
“I’m really looking forward to March 21 at the Copper Box,” said Liddard, 13-0 (8 KOs). “To be headlining at such a big arena is great and I will put on a performance worthy of it. Tyler is a vastly experienced opponent so I cannot take him or anything lightly going into this. He’s a former European champion, so when I win this fight, it will stand me in good stead to fight for that title next."
Denny, 21-3-3 (1 KO), from the Midlands, believes his experience will be the difference. "I’m buzzing to be fighting for the British and Commonwealth titles and would like to thank Matchroom Boxing for the opportunity,” said Denny. “I’m expecting a tough fight, as I have a lot of respect for George as a fighter. But I will be taking the belts back home with me.”
Denny has won two in a row since being stopped by Hamzah Sheeraz, defeating Grant Dennis and Elvis Ahorgah.
Meanwhile, the Mark Tibbs-trained lightweight Visioli has recently been in the headlines following his spat in the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas with former sparmate Curmel Moton.
Visioli defends his English title against Levi Giles on the bill.
“I’m looking forward to being out again in London defending my English title,” said Visioli.
“Levi Giles is a good opponent for me. He’s been in with some well-known English names and he’s got a good record but on fight night I’m going to show exactly where I stand in this division. There are levels to this, and they’ll be shown on March 21.”
The aforementioned Sains faces Derrick Osaze, and Sains added: “It’s a great card and I am looking forward to a step-up in opponent which gives me the perfect opportunity to show more of my boxing ability and show what level I’m at – and where I’m eventually destined to be.”
There are spots on the card, too, for super-middleweight Taylor Bevan, middleweight Leli Biuttigieg, featherweight Adam Maca, and Connor Mitchell, also a featherweight and son of former world title challenger Kevin Mitchell while another Sims-trained fighter, former amateur super-welterweight standout Louie Ward, will make his debut.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said of the show: “George Liddard was destructive against Kieron Conway last October and he’ll need to be back at his best against a game, and experienced, Tyler Denny. I’m looking forward to seeing a host of our exciting young guns on the undercard too. The Copper Box will be absolutely rocking for what will be a cracking fight night live on the Global Home of Boxing, DAZN.”
