As Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury approach the end of their glittering careers, boxing fans are left wondering who will fill their gloves.
Among the selected few are West Ham United supporter George Liddard, who could be destined to become the face of British boxing for years to come and has the world at his fists.
Born in Essex, Liddard has long been seen as one of Britain’s top talents, even before he signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing at the start of 2023, having caught the eye with an impressive professional debut on the undercard of Dillian Whyte-Jermaine Franklin at the back end of 2022.
Liddard has it all: the world-class boxing fundamentals, the one-punch knockout power, and, of course, the charisma and confidence.
On Friday 13 December, Liddard will be top of the bill at the iconic York Hall, considered by many to be the home of British boxing, when he headlines his tenth professional fight against the experienced Omar Ilunga, and looks to extend his record to 10-0.
Before then, the 22-year-old visited London Stadium to discuss his upcoming bout and his Hammers allegiance…
Where did it all begin for you then, George?
I grew up in a boxing family. My dad was a big boxing fan and has been throughout his whole life.
I started at an amateur gym for the first time when I was eight or nine years old, and after a couple of years, I fell in love with the training and winning part of it. I’ve done it ever since.
Tell us about your rise from windscreen fitter to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
I was part of Team England, and then COVID-19 hit, and there was a lot of uncertainty in my life. During that period, I ended up working with my dad at a windscreen company.
I got defeated by a well-known Great Britain fighter in a close fight after the pandemic, and that was the moment I said to myself to give it a go.
I got a text from Tony Sims, one of the legendary boxing trainers, asking me to spar with John Ryder, so I went down there and gave a good account of myself. I’ve been at the Matchroom Gym ever since and have never looked back.
You made your debut at Wembley. How big a moment was that in your career?
To make my debut at Wembley Arena was a massive opportunity, and I was only 20 years old at the time, so for someone that young, it was a big stage to be on.
I didn’t have a contract with Matchroom at that point, but I knew they were watching that fight, and I knew I had to go out there and win and prove something. I wanted to put on a show and did just that.
How excited are you to be headlining at the iconic York Hall on Friday?
I’m very excited for my next fight at the iconic York Hall. To be headlining at such a prestigious venue is incredible, and I’ll be hoping to go 10-0 in front of my home crowd.
I’m expecting a tough fight against someone who is going to come and try and beat me. I’m at the level now where I’m challenging for some titles, and I’m not letting anyone get in between me and what I want to achieve.
So what’s the long-term target, George?
I feel as if I’m at a level already where I can win a British title. I know I’m good enough but have to prove it to the world, and the next fight is another opportunity to do that.
I’m in this game to be a world champion, and I want to win world titles down the line. I will be a world champion someday; I know that for sure. I look forward to the day I stand there with a world title belt and say, I made it.
You’re a big Hammer, too?
I couldn’t pinpoint an exact moment when I started supporting West Ham, but I’ve followed the Club all of my life and attend home games now with my sponsor, ABSM Building Services.
I would have loved to have been at the [UEFA Europa] Conference League final, but I was fighting on that Saturday. I remember watching it in the hotel and being ecstatic when Jarrod [Bowen] scored that goal. I was gutted to have not been there, but I won the fight, so it was a memorable weekend.
Follow George's Instagram page @GeorgeLiddard_ to purchase tickets for his upcoming fight at York Hall.
