George Liddard vs Derrick Osaze: “Now it’s my time to be the main event”
Undefeated Middleweight prospect George Liddard says he will announce himself on the domestic scene in style this Friday by taking out Derrick Osaze to claim the first professional title of his career.
The Essex native, Liddard, fights for the Commonwealth Silver Title at Indigo at The O2 – live worldwide on DAZN – promising another destructive performance following on from eye-catching stoppage wins over George Davey and Omar Nguale Ilunga at the back end of 2024.
Liddard (10-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of the Matchroom Boxing Gym under the guidance on Tony Sims, believes he is already one of the best fighters at 160 lbs in the UK, and the 22-year-old ‘Billericay Bomber’ is confident he will shine in his first headline fight for Matchroom.
“I think I’m one of the best domestically,” said Liddard. “People might laugh at that, but I am. I know I’m 22 and I’ve got plenty of time, but I’m ready to be let off the leash and takeover the domestic scene. We’ve got some good fighters over here at Middleweight and there’s some great fights to be made, but I like the look of those fights in 2025. I don’t look past anyone. I’ve got to beat Osaze first. That’s for sure.
“Derrick is experienced domestically. He’s been around. He won a tournament at Super-Welterweight. He’s beaten a couple of good fighters and lost to a couple of good fighters. I think it’s a good gauge, a good marking stick, of where I’m at on the domestic scene. I have no doubt that it’s going to be a destructive performance and I’m going to get the job done in style. Credit to him for taking the fight and stepping in there with me, because not many people want to.
“I go out there and I knock him out. He’s game, and I know he’s going to come to fight. I know he’s there to win, but that suits me. I like when they’re coming to fight. I like when they leave that little opening that split second, they think they’re going to catch me. I’m really excited for these fights. I’m fast, I’m strong. There’s not really anything I don’t have in the locker now. I’m fit. I’m ready to do the ten rounds if needs be, but I don’t see it going that long.”
The four-time National Champion has already headlined at the famous York Hall in Bethnal Green, but this Friday’s clash with Osaze will be the first of his at the top of an Eddie Hearn-promoted card. However, Liddard insists that he isn’t feeling the pressure ahead of what he believes will be a breakout fight.
“All of those press conferences sitting on the bottom table; now it’s my time to be the main event. I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I’ve got a little bit of experience headlining already on other cards. It’s a fight at the end of the day. That’s how I treat it. Whether I’m at the top of the card or the bottom of the card; it’s a fight. All I’ve got to do is win.
“I think I went from a boy to a man last year. Back of 2023, going into 2024, a couple of stale performances from me I’d say. I think that was just me transitioning from a boy to a man. I think I needed them to learn and push on. Obviously, the fight in Vegas weren’t my best performance but I beat an unbeaten guy in his own country and I learnt a lot while I was out there.
“From then, we’ve been on one hell of a run. I’ve beaten a couple of unbeaten fighters; a couple of prospects and I’ve knocked people out. I think I’m really honing my skills. I’m looking forward to using them again on Friday.”
The die-hard Hammer dreams of one day selling out the 60,000 seater London Stadium, home to his beloved West Ham United, and with the East End club already heavily backing him, Liddard hopes to turn that dream into a reality by continuing his climb up the domestic ladder.
“It’s unbelievable to have the support of West Ham. For my childhood club to get behind me like they do is brilliant for me. I’ve been pitch-side at games a few times doing interviews. I’ve been in the match-day programme. They collab with me on social media. It’s crazy. I can’t thank them enough for their support.
“I think they can see the potential that I’ve got. I’ve already said it to them; one day I want to sell-out the London Stadium for a fight. That’s my goal. I want to sell that stadium out one day. I’m sure with their backing, all I’ve got to do is keep up my end of the bargain and keep winning.”
Liddard vs. Osaze tops Matchroom’s first NXTGEN card of 2025, Rotherham talent Junaid Bostan (10-0, 8 KOs) battles London’s Bilal Fawaz (9-1, 2 KOs) with the English Super-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.
Also, Aldershot Super-Featherweight Giorgio Visioli (5-0, 4 KOs) looks to kick the year off in style against Mexcio’s Francisco Javier Lucero (16-6-4, 12 KOs), while Newham Middleweight Leli Buttigieg (6-0, 1 KO) squares off with Welshman James Todd (4-4-2) over six rounds.
Cardiff Super-Middleweight Taylor Bevan (1-0, 1 KO) faces Poland’s Szymon Kajda (1-0-1, 1 KO) over six rounds in his second pro fight, and Coinsdale Super-Lightweight Jesse Brandon (4-0, 1 KO) fights Estonia’s Semjon Kamanin (5-2, 3 KOs) over six rounds.
Rounding off the card, Eltham Flyweight Maiseyrose Courtney (7-1) kicks off the Before The Bell action against Serbia’s Jasmina Nad (11-33-5, 4 KOs).