George Liddard’s promoter Eddie Hearn has high hopes for middleweight George Liddard, but will hold off until launching the 23-year-old into a world title fight.
Liddard (14-0, 8 KOs) had to dig deep to overcome Tyler Denny, defending his British and Commonwealth titles by unanimous decision at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday night. Hours after Liddard’s latest victory, Hearn promoted another middleweight tie in Orlando, Florida, where Carlos Adames defended his WBC title against Austin Williams.
Liddard became the youngest ever British middleweight champion by dispatching of Kieron Conway last October. He holds a 15th place ranking with the IBF and is in 16th place with the WBC. The Essex man will see his rankings rise in both organisations following his latest victory, winning the vacant IBF intercontinental title. However, his promoter has stated he plans to work his young charge though the levels and “eventually” fight for a world title.
Hearn told the media at a press conference: “To go Conway-Denny at 23, in your 13th and 14th fight, is a very, very solid move on the resume. I would like to see him win the Lonsdale [British] belt outright, I think it’s the right thing to do.”
Liddard’s promoter hinted at the young Englishman taking on the winner of Adames and Williams later this year. However, it appears Hearn has his eyes set on a domestic-dust up next.
“Whilst we are defending the British and Commonwealth, we are moving up the governing bodies and we are positioning ourselves for a mandatory shot eventually for the world middleweight title,” Hearn added. “We might be able to just have a voluntary [shot at the world title].”
The IBF middleweight title has recently been stripped from Zhanibek Alimkhanuly due to a failed performance enhancing drug test. The Kazakh southpaw still holds the WBO title. Erislandy Lara is the current WBA belt holder, where Liddard is ranked in 12th place.
“Carlos Adames for the WBC title, we’re not there yet,” Hearn told BoxingScene. “I would like to see a couple more fights. Liam Smith is a brilliant fighter, if he stays in the game. That is the type of fight George Liddard wants. We actually agreed to fight Liam Smith here tonight, but he wanted more time.”
