George Liddard is ready to put on a hair-raising performance in East London this Saturday when he challenges Dario Morello for the EBU European Middleweight Title – live worldwide on DAZN.
The ‘Billericay Bomber’ takes on the Italian just a stone’s throw from his beloved West Ham United Football Club and is confident of delivering a home win this weekend.
His bold hairstyle has grabbed attention heading into his crunch Copper Box clash – but Liddard believes he will make a bigger statement in the ring in Saturday’s main event.
Liddard’s stablemate Jimmy Sains, meanwhile, is looking ahead to his Commonwealth Midldleweight Title fight.
Tokyo 2020 Team GB Olympic Silver Medallist Pat McCormack has withdrawn from his scheduled bout this weekend after sustaining a minor injury setback in training. The Sunderland fighter will return in a revised date in due course.
East End native Leli Buttigieg bid to win the English Middleweight belt when he faces PA Gordon.
Rising superstar Tiah Mai Ayton can land her first major title this weekend when she challenges Ellie Hellewell for the Commonwealth Featherweight Championship.
And young guns Louie Ward, Ioan Croft, Harley Burrows and Connor Mitchell are all out to extend their respective unbeaten starts in the pro game.
Here are some selected quotes from today’s press conference – watch it in full in the video player below:
Frank Smith, Matchroom Boxing CEO:
“George Liddard is doing everything right and he’s going down the route of taking fights, and that’s what people want to see. It was always about going down the route of winning titles. Winning the European Title was always next. We said we’d deliver it, that’s what we went and did. It’s a massive fight, and after this he wants the biggest fights. We were talking about all of the British names before this as well, and certain names that we were trying to target. Now it’s about going out there, winning the European belt and then building up through the ranks into those international titles, those eliminators with the sanctioning bodies and then I truly believe towards the end of next year fighting for a World Title.”
George Liddard:
“There’s a lot been said about my hair. Let’s get that straight first. Only a certain type of man can get away with a trim like this. You’ve got to be a bad man to get away with this, I’m telling you now. Listen, it’s becoming a common theme being up here as the main event. I’m getting used to it now. It’s not going to change. You’re going to see me up here many more times.
“Every test I’ve been given I’ve passed. Every time someone’s been put to me, I’ve said yes. I’ve never said no to nobody. My team will vouch for me for that and so will Matchroom. I’ve never turned down anyone, and I’ve always performed. I’m talking the talk, but I’ll also walk the walk. That’s what matters. It’s all good saying these things but you’ve actually got to do them. Consistently I’ve proven that I’m capable of that. Let’s go pick up this European Title Saturday night and push on to World honours.
“The story from my last probably three, four, five fights is ‘experienced fighter takes on young hungry fighter’. That’s been the same thing the last four or five fights. Every single one of them has told me they’re going to beat me. What’s happened every time? I’ve proved them wrong. I’ll do the same again Saturday night. I’m too good, I’m too flashy, I’ve got too much going on for me. I work too hard. There’s no good having talent if you’re not obsessed with the game. I’m obsessed with this. I’m obsessed with becoming the best, and I will do that again on Saturday night.”
Dario Morello:
“It means everything. I worked a lot for this moment. I have worked all of my life for this moment. I want to take it. I have to take it. I am 33 years old. I am mature enough, I have trained enough and I want this title. I will take it.
“Inside the ring it is just me and him. So, we have to fight, and the best man will win. I am very prepared. He is too. It isn’t enough to beat me. I’m pretty sure about this and I will prove this on August 22.”
Jimmy Sains:
“It might have been a good learning fight, but I don’t want to have any more of those fights. I need to make sure that I’m on the ball. It was a bad performance, but we’ve made a few adjustments in camp and this next fight will be the best of myself.
“I think it should make for a good fight. I think Frank was right in what he said earlier, this is a proper fight. I’m expecting a good Tom Cowling to come on Saturday night. I’ve got to make sure that I’m on my game to get the win.
“I think Tom said it there. We’ve both worked hard, all of the hard work is done. We’re going to get stuck in. This is where the boxing and the violence happens Saturday night. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve trained very hard since the last fight. I can’t wait to get bac in the ring and to make those adjustments and show everyone the boxing ability that I’ve got.”
Tom Cowling:
“The Commonwealth Title is a major title. It’s always been a dream of mine to fight for a major title like this. I’m looking forward to it. Not many people had seen much about me before the Aaron Bowen fight. There’s more of where that came from.
“I respect Jimmy and his team. He’s a good fighter and I know that I need to be on my game Saturday night to get the win. God willing I’ll get the win. All of the hard work has been done, now for the good part.”
