'Inspired' Barrow man ready to make history at the Copper Box Arena
Liam Conroy says he is ready to make history at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday by becoming the first ever man from Barrow-in-Furness to win the prestigious Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt.
The former English Champion takes on Rio 2016 Olympian Joshua Buatsi for the vacant British Light-Heavyweight crown in East London and is determined to silence his doubters, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.
Despite heading into this weekend's domestic showdown in the form of his career with five successive stoppage wins, the bookies have the 26-year-old down as a huge underdog against rising star Buatsi, a label that he insists he will thrive off.
“I’m feeling brilliant," Conroy told MTK Global. "I’m living the dream to be boxing for a British title. I’m so inspired and I think you’ll see an extra level to my boxing this weekend as a result of that.
“The bookies have him a clear favourite. I was insulted at first but then I look back on times I’ve done this before – I’ve had brilliant wins being the underdog. With it being on such a big scale and on such a big platform, it’s going to be even sweeter when I do it.
“Having so many people from Barrow there will give me a massive push. I’ve sold loads of tickets even though it’s nowhere near London. I think they’re as excited as I am!
“I’m the first Barrovian to box for the British title and I’ll be the first one to win one as well. Everyone is absolutely buzzing so it’ll be a brilliant atmosphere in there and I’ll feed off it on the night.”
The British light-heavyweight title challenger also heaped praise on trainer Johnney Roye ahead of the biggest fight of his career on Saturday night.
He said: “Johnney has been a massive influence throughout my career. He’s got such positive energy and believes in me.
“The advice he gives me – not just inside the ring but also outside the ring has been brilliant. I’m so lucky to have him in my corner on fight night.
“Achieving this will be a dream for me. Johnney and I started in a little gym in Preston and we’ve just been grafting ever since.
“From being on small hall shows, we’ve now come this far and reached this point and I still want more. It’s incredible and I’m so glad to be on this journey with him.
“Now I’m here, I want to stay on these massive shows and winning will provide a springboard to that and moving on to even bigger and better things.”
Buatsi vs. Conroy tops a huge night of action at the Copper Box Arena.
Main event sees Charlie Edwards make the first defence of his WBC Flyweight World title against Spain's Angel Moreno.
London Cruiserweight rivals Lawrence Okolie and Wadi Camacho collide with the British and Cruiserweight titles on the line.
Geordie ace Lewis Ritson makes his debut at 140lbs as he takes on Argentina’s German Argentino Benitez for the WBA Inter-Continental title.
Undefeated Irish Middleweight talent Jason Quigley fights for the first time as a pro in the UK, Watford Bantamweight talent Shannon Courtenay makes her highly-anticipated professional debut and Newport Bantamweight talent Sean McGoldrick fights for the first time under new trainer Jamie Moore.