George Liddard, the undefeated middleweight force, says he is living out his boyhood fantasy as he prepares to battle Dario Morello for the vacant European middleweight title.
The 24-year-old from Billericay, Essex, is set to face the experienced Italian at York Hall on August 22. This follows a dominant year where Liddard successfully retained his British and Commonwealth middleweight belts.
Since launching his professional career in 2022, Liddard has carved through the division, claiming 8 knockouts in his 14 victories. He is predicting another emphatic win against the 33-year-old Morello, who holds a formidable 26-1 record.
“When you work so hard that it seems unreasonable that you don’t achieve your goals… that just fills you with confidence,” Liddard said. “I’m not looking beyond August 22; I’ve got to go and get the job done there first. But you best believe that once I win the European title, I’m ready to press on for world honours.”
In March, Liddard delivered a standout performance, outpointing former European champion Tyler Denny at London’s Copper Box Arena—a victory that also secured him the vacant IBF Intercontinental title. It was a crucial test, marking the first time Liddard was forced to go the full 12 rounds. Prior to that, he had won his British and Commonwealth titles by stopping Kieron Conway at York Hall last October.
Reflecting on his journey, Liddard shared a heartfelt memory.
“When I was very young, I’d stack my pillows and pretend I was fighting people,” he told BBC Essex. “I was knocking pillows out, and that was me winning titles. Now I’m doing that in real life. I always had belief in myself, but I am living little George’s dream.”
Despite his rapid ascent, Liddard remains focused on the steep path ahead.
“I think sometimes you never really look back and appreciate how far you’ve come. You’re always looking forward, but when I look back, I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved at such a young age. This is only the beginning… I’m only just getting started.”
