George Liddard vs Derrick Osaze: “Now it’s my time to be the primary occasion”
Undefeated Middleweight prospect George Liddard says he’ll announce himself on the home scene in fashion this Friday by taking out Derrick Osaze to say the primary skilled title of his profession.
The Essex native, Liddard, fights for the Commonwealth Silver Title at Indigo at The O2 – reside worldwide on DAZN – promising one other damaging efficiency following on from eye-catching stoppage wins over George Davey and Omar Nguale Ilunga on the again finish of 2024.
Liddard (10-0, 6 KOs), preventing out of the Matchroom Boxing Gymnasium beneath the steerage on Tony Sims, believes he’s already top-of-the-line fighters at 160 lbs within the UK, and the 22-year-old ‘Billericay Bomber’ is assured he’ll shine in his first headline battle for Matchroom.
“I feel I’m top-of-the-line domestically,” stated Liddard. “Folks may chuckle at that, however I’m. I do know I’m 22 and I’ve acquired loads of time, however I’m able to be let off the leash and takeover the home scene. We’ve acquired some good fighters over right here at Middleweight and there’s some nice fights to be made, however I just like the look of these fights in 2025. I don’t look previous anybody. I’ve acquired to beat Osaze first. That’s for certain.
“Derrick is skilled domestically. He’s been round. He gained a match at Tremendous-Welterweight. He’s overwhelmed a few good fighters and misplaced to a few good fighters. I feel it’s a superb gauge, a superb marking stick, of the place I’m at on the home scene. I’ve little doubt that it’s going to be a damaging efficiency and I’m going to get the job carried out in fashion. Credit score to him for taking the battle and stepping in there with me, as a result of not many individuals wish to.
“I’m going on the market and I knock him out. He’s recreation, and I do know he’s going to return to battle. I do know he’s there to win, however that fits me. I like once they’re coming to battle. I like once they depart that little opening that cut up second, they suppose they’re going to catch me. I’m actually excited for these fights. I’m quick, I’m robust. There’s not likely something I don’t have within the locker now. I’m match. I’m able to do the ten rounds if wants be, however I don’t see it going that lengthy.”
The four-time Nationwide Champion has already headlined on the well-known York Corridor in Bethnal Inexperienced, however this Friday’s conflict with Osaze would be the first of his on the high of an Eddie Hearn-promoted card. Nevertheless, Liddard insists that he isn’t feeling the stress forward of what he believes might be a breakout battle.
“All of these press conferences sitting on the underside desk; now it’s my time to be the primary occasion. I’m very grateful for the chance. I’ve acquired slightly little bit of expertise headlining already on different playing cards. It’s a battle on the finish of the day. That’s how I deal with it. Whether or not I’m on the high of the cardboard or the underside of the cardboard; it’s a battle. All I’ve acquired to do is win.
“I feel I went from a boy to a person final 12 months. Again of 2023, going into 2024, a few stale performances from me I’d say. I feel that was simply me transitioning from a boy to a person. I feel I wanted them to be taught and push on. Clearly, the battle in Vegas weren’t my finest efficiency however I beat an unbeaten man in his personal nation and I learnt quite a bit whereas I used to be on the market.
“From then, we’ve been on one hell of a run. I’ve overwhelmed a few unbeaten fighters; a few prospects and I’ve knocked folks out. I feel I’m actually honing my abilities. I’m trying ahead to utilizing them once more on Friday.”
The die-hard Hammer desires of someday promoting out the 60,000 seater London Stadium, residence to his beloved West Ham United, and with the East Finish membership already closely backing him, Liddard hopes to show that dream right into a actuality by persevering with his climb up the home ladder.
“It’s unbelievable to have the help of West Ham. For my childhood membership to get behind me like they do is good for me. I’ve been pitch-side at video games a couple of instances doing interviews. I’ve been within the match-day programme. They collab with me on social media. It’s loopy. I can’t thank them sufficient for his or her help.
“I feel they’ll see the potential that I’ve acquired. I’ve already stated it to them; someday I wish to sell-out the London Stadium for a battle. That’s my aim. I wish to promote that stadium out someday. I’m certain with their backing, all I’ve acquired to do is sustain my finish of the discount and hold profitable.”
Liddard vs. Osaze tops Matchroom’s first NXTGEN card of 2025, Rotherham expertise Junaid Bostan (10-0, 8 KOs) battles London’s Bilal Fawaz (9-1, 2 KOs) with the English Tremendous-Welterweight crown up for grabs, and Brentwood Middleweight Jimmy Sains (8-0, 8 KOs) fights France’s Pierre Rosadini (6-6-3) over eight rounds.
Additionally, Aldershot Tremendous-Featherweight Giorgio Visioli (5-0, 4 KOs) seems to be to kick the 12 months off in fashion in opposition to Mexcio’s Francisco Javier Lucero (16-6-4, 12 KOs), whereas Newham Middleweight Leli Buttigieg (6-0, 1 KO) squares off with Welshman James Todd (4-4-2) over six rounds.
Cardiff Tremendous-Middleweight Taylor Bevan (1-0, 1 KO) faces Poland’s Szymon Kajda (1-0-1, 1 KO) over six rounds in his second professional battle, and Coinsdale Tremendous-Light-weight Jesse Brandon (4-0, 1 KO) fights Estonia’s Semjon Kamanin (5-2, 3 KOs) over six rounds.
Rounding off the cardboard, Eltham Flyweight Maiseyrose Courtney (7-1) kicks off the Earlier than The Bell motion in opposition to Serbia’s Jasmina Nad (11-33-5, 4 KOs).
