Liddard Tops Denny in Copper Box War;

Visioli, Sains and Buttigieg Shine on Matchroom Card!

By: Ian Webb

Saturday, March 21st, Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick, Middlesex, United Kingdom: In the main event of an Eddie Hearn - Matchroom Boxing bill streamed live on DAZN,Billericay, Essex, United Kingdom, BBBofC British Middleweight and Commonwealth Middleweight Champion, George Liddard captured the vacant IBF Inter-Continental Middleweight belt with a competitive and entertaining twelve round points win over Rowley Regis, West Midlands, 34-year-old, Tyler Denny.

The 23-year-old unbeaten champion started explosively rocking Denny multiple times with sharp right hands to the head, buckling European champion's knees and forcing him onto the ropes for a volley of heavy shots.

Showing the resilience of a champion himself, the 34-year-old, Denny surviving the early onslaught without going down found his rhythm and began to turn the tide in round three. The seasoned challenger pressed the action, landing sharper shots in close-quarters exchanges and exploiting Liddard's occasional defensive lapses. Denny found success both at mid-range and on the inside, steadily pushing Liddard back and turning the fight into a grueling, physical battle.

The momentum swung back and forth through the middle rounds. The champion reasserted control at times with crisp combinations, but Denny's pressure and awkward style kept him competitive, landing meaningful punches and preventing Liddard from fully taking charge.

In a pivotal moment Liddard hurt Denny badly with a heavy body shot in round eight. Denny showing clear signs of distress, winced visibly and retreated to the ropes clinching to recover and regain composure.

In what could be a Round of the Year contender, to the delight of those ringside, the fight reached its peak in round eleven. Both men standing toe-to-toe, both fighters demonstrating remarkable bravery and heart refusing to back down traded bombs in a breathless, high-intensity exchange, unloading heavy shots.

The better conditioned appearing Liddard regaining momentum with cleaner work, testing Denny's balance and durability pulled away in the championship rounds, maintained an adequate work rate to secure a 116-112 times three unanimous decision win.

 Liddard, improves to 14-0, 8Ko’s as Denny two victories from a September 2024 second round TKO loss to still unbeaten Hamzah Sheeraz drops to 21-4-3, 1Ko.

In the semi-main event, Aldershot, Hampshire, Giorgio Visioli retained his BBBofC English Lightweight title with a masterclass in technical dominant ten round points win over Grimsby, Lincolnshire’s, Levi Giles.

The 22-year-old, slick counter-punching southpaw, Visioli dominated from the opening bell, moving expertly on the back foot working sharp jab to control the distance, picking off the advancing Giles landing crisp straight lefts and perfectly timed body shots. Giles pressed forward consistently behind a high guard, staying active and throwing in bursts, but struggled to land clean or meaningful shots, rarely if at all successful trapping Visioli in prolonged exchanges.

The bout remained one-sided through the early rounds, with Visioli dictating range and pace. Regularly landing at mid-range and pivoting away after clean counters, Visioli avoided Giles sustained return fire.

The defining moment came in the fifth round. Midway through, Visioli unleashed a vicious left hand that sent Giles crashing to the canvas. Giles hit the deck hard and, after taking a count of nine and still visibly shaken, bravely rose to his feet and survived the round.

Keeping the fight at a safe distance and pace, Visioli cruised through the second half steadily out working Giles targeting the body and landing clean, sharp counters limiting his 29-year-old foe at bay out boxing the challenger to the final bell and a wide 100-89, 99-90 times two unanimous decision win. Visioli improved to 11-0, 6Ko’s while Giles with his third loss drops to 17-3-1, 4Ko’s.

Harold Wood, London, Jimmy Sains, captured the vacant BBBofC English Middleweight title with a gritty ten round majority decision win over Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derrick “Del Boy” Osaze.

Osaze came out pressing backing Sains up and landing heavy shots forcing Sains into a gritty, toe-to-toe contest throughout the early rounds.

Sains weathered the early storm and began asserting himself midway, using sharper combinations and slick counters turning the tide taking control with a precision  jab and crisp combinations to the head and body progressively tilting the fight in his favor landing the cleaner, more effective punching in the second half edging past Osaze’s relentless work with two judges seeing it 96-94 and 97-93 for the 25-year-old, southpaw and the third scoring the bout even for a tightly contested ten round majority decision win. Sains stays undefeated a 12-0, 10Ko’s. Osaze on a three-bout skid falls to 13-4, 3Ko’s.

In an exciting ten round middleweight match, Newham, London’s, Emmanuel “Leli” Buttigieg recovered from two-point deductions to stop Doncaster, Yorkshire’s, Jake Goodwin in round nine.

The 21-year-old, Londoner, started cautious but smart, early probing with southpaw jabs and straight lefts. Goodwin pressed forward aggressively, landing clean combinations and making the early rounds a tactical chess match.

Goodwin’s volume began to tell in round four. Working behind crisp combinations, the Yorkshire fighter keeping Buttigieg on the back foot edged the growing exchanges with his consistency. Then interruption and disorder would set in with Buttigieg deducted one point in both the sixth and seventh rounds for repeatedly losing his gum shield.

Buttigieg, despite the self-inflicted setbacks, finding his rhythm and landing some fight-changing shots rallied in rounds eight and nine.

Trailing on all three judges’ scorecards and needing a dramatic turnaround, Buttigieg entered round nine desperate but composed. Refusing to let Goodwin dictate the pace any longer, the southpaw “Leli” immediately closed the distance, forcing a heated exchange landing a devastating left hook flush on Goodwin’s jaw, stunning him sending him crashing to the canvas. Rising unsteadily but allowed to continue, Goodwin was immediately met with a relentless barrage of shots singled out a thumping right hand dropping him for a second time, forcing referee Lee Every to wave off the fight at 2:04 of round nine. With the victory, Buttigieg remains unbeaten at 12-0 4Ko’s while Goodwin unbeaten since a September 2023 second-round TKO loss to Rhys Woods falls to 8-3-1, 1Ko.

In a scheduled eight round super middleweight bout, Cardiff, Wales, Taylor Bevan remained undefeated with a second-round knockout of Cordoba, Argentina’s, Martin Ezequiel Bulacio. The 25-year-old, prospect, Bevan dropped Bulacio to the canvas with a vicious left hook to the body for a full referee Amy Pu ten count ending the contest at 2:16 of round two. Bevan his eighth straight stoppage victory moves to 8-0, 8Ko’s. Bulacio 1-4 in his last five fights drops to 15-11, 10Ko’s.

In a scheduled six round featherweight affair, Brighton, Sussex’s, Adam Maca stayed perfect with a clinical fourth round TKO stoppage of Pieta, Malta’s, Lydon Chircop.

The 18-year-old, British prospect, systematically broke down his 31-year-old, Maltese opponent with controlled aggression, precision punching and a concentrated body attack pling on the punishment with heavy hooks and uppercuts sapping Chircop's energy leaving him defenseless for a barrage of punches finally drawing a towel from the Malta corner forcing referee Lee Every to call it over at 1:33 of round four. Maca advances to 5-0, 5Ko’s as Chirop 1-3 in his last four bouts falls to 8-4, 4Ko’s.

Essex, 21-year-old, southpaw, Connor “The Hammer” Mitchell recorded his second pro victory with a decisive referee Amy Pu scored 40-36 masterclass four round points win over Lombardia, Italy, “mark”, Yuri “Cyborg” Zanoli. Mitchell improves to 2-0, 1Ko while Zanoli ‘s five bout win streak comes to a close at 8-19-1, 4Ko’s.

In a showcase four round super featherweight bout, Theydon Bois, Essex, pro-debuting, 21-year-old, Louie Ward successfully recorded his first pro win with a one-way referee Lee Every scored 40-36-point win over Oldbury, West Midlands, southpaw, Jahfieus Faure. Ward starts out at 1-0 as the 40-year-old, Faure 1-6-1 in his seven last outings falls to 4-24-3.

George Liddard vs Tyler Denny  Press Conference!

(March 20th) The British and Commonwealth Middleweight Titles are on the line when George Liddard makes his first defence against former European Champion Tyler Denny in our London main event. In support, a stacked undercard of rising stars including Giorgio Visioli, Taylor Bevan, Jimmy Sains, Adam Maca, Connor Mitchell, Leli Buttigieg, Louie Ward and more!

The talking is over for George Liddard and Tyler Denny as they went head-to-head at the final press conference ahead of their showdown this Saturday.

Liddard, 23, defends his British & Commonwealth Middleweight Titles for the first time as part of a huge Matchroom Boxing double header live on the Global Home of Boxing, DAZN.

Giorgio Visioli defends his English Lightweight Title against Levi Giles as Liddard’s stablemate Jimmy Sains puts his English Middleweight belt on the line against Derrick Osaze. Leli Buttigieg will have his eye on facing the winner of that fight, should he overcome Jake Goodwin in an eliminator for that strap earlier in the evening.

Connor Mitchell – son of British boxing cult hero Kevin Mitchell, steps into the ring for his second pro fight when he faces Italy’s Yuri Zanoli. Rising Super Middleweight sensation Taylor Bevan goes toe-to-toe with Martin Ezequiel Bulacio, as undefeated Featherweight prospect Adam Maca meets Malta’s Lydon Chircop. And impressive, amateur Super Featherweight standout Louie Ward – trained by John Ryder – makes his professional debut against Jahfieus Faure.

Here are some selected quotes from Thursday’s Press Conference – which you can watch back in full in the video player below.

MATCHROOM BOXING CEO, FRANK SMITH

I have to say George Liddard looks like he could be the next James Bond! Perhaps, once it’s all finished for him in boxing later down the years, he can pursue that. For Saturday, it’s another step up for him. A lot of people thought Kieron Conway was a step too soon for George Liddard last October. We’ve all seen that Kieron Conway has been in the ring over the years with a lot of great fighters and Tyler Denny has done the same as well. He’s got to keep progressing and being in those type of fights. George is in a position now where he wants to really push on in the world rankings. The Middleweight division is really open. There’s not a huge number of stars out there. We’ve obviously got Ammo Williams fighting for the WBC World Title on Saturday night as well over in Orlando against Carlos Adames. George wants to put himself in the position to go for those World Title shots in the next 12-18 months, I would say. He’s not far off that and Tyler Denny is the perfect opponent for George to try and step through those levels, because Tyler’s been up there and he’s been through those fights. It’s going to be by no means an easy night. George has sold over 800 tickets on Saturday night at the Copper Box. It’s going to be banging in there and a load of the undercard fighters have sold well too, like Jimmy Sains, who has done over 700. So George is doing everything right and he’s delivering in his performances – and looks like that. I want to look like that! The sunglasses, the suit… I wish I had my hairline like his too. He’s out-dressing everyone these days. Everything is perfect. But he has got to keep on delivering in the ring. He gets the game, he gets what he needs to do and every time he keeps on testing himself, stepping through the levels at the right time. A lot of young fighters aren’t always prepared to do that. George believes in himself, as do we in him, along with Tony Sims and Charlie Sims, to where he can get to in the sport.

GEORGE LIDDARD

I’m very excited for Saturday night. I cannot wait. All the hard work is done now. This is the fun part for me now. It’s an ocassion for me where I can turn up and enjoy all of this. The real business is Saturday night and that’s what I’m looking forward to. Tyler is a good fighter – he;s been in with some good fighters and has plenty of experience. I just believe that I am the better man. I believe I am the better fighter and you’ll see that on Saturday night. He’s saying I’m a nice kid but I’ve got a very dark side to me, which comes out when I fight. The last person who told me I was acting, look what happened. That’s all I’ve got to say. There isn't an act to this. I love what I do. I live for this and I love the whole art of this fighting game. I think in the last two years I have really grown from a boy to a man. I just believe that I am bigger, stronger, faster and better in every aspect. I will get the job done by any means. If it has to be a 12-round war, then I’m ready for that. If it got changed to a 15-rounder, I’d be ready for it. I train for 15 and 18-rounds. We can go into deep waters, if he wants to go into deep waters. But when I’m on my game, there aren’t too many people who would be able to survive with me for long. I do believe that I will get the job done in style.

TYLER DENNY

It’s just business as usual for me. For most of my career, in all the big fights, I have always been the underdog. So it means nothing to me. I’m glad there’s going to be loads of people there watching because it works in the favour of when they’re cheering him, and I’m punching his head in, it will be nice and I’m going to thrive of that. They obviously believe in him and have made him a headliner at the Copper Box. Even the West Ham stuff yesterday, they clearly believe in him. Fair play. But I’m on my own path and I’ve still got a lot left and I feel like I’m even better than ever. He’s a good fighter and he’s someone who i have a lot of respect for. You don’t have his amateur accolades or become a British & Commonwealth Champion if you’re not a good fighter. I never understand when people are fighting someone and they say they are no good. If you beat them, then you’ve not beaten anyone who is good. I think he is a top fighter and he’ll have a good future. But Saturday is not going to be his night. My confidence is at an all time high. I’m going to take those belts. I feel unbelievable at the minute and I can’t wait for Saturday.

JIMMY SAINS

These are the sort of fights that I want and the sort of fights that make me want to train harder in the gym. When I train hard, it ensures that I am ready for this level of fight, so it’s great motivation. On paper, this is definitely the hardest fight I’ve had so far. Obviously, he’s game and he’s ready because he wants to win. He wants to keep pushing up the ranks, but so do I. That is going to bring out a better Jimmy Sains on the night and I’m going to have to make sure that I am on my game. George [Liddard] has given me a few tips but that was a different fight. Derrick could have gone back and completely changed what he wants to do and what he has worked since because that was a long time ago now. He may be a different fighter. I know I’m a different fighter to George, so I can’t look too much into what he did – I’ve just got to get in there and quickly work it out myself. Obviously I want knockouts because everybody wants to see knockouts. But as long as I come away with the win and bring that English title back to Brentwood, then I’ll be very happy.

DERRICK OSAZE

Firstly, thank you to Matchroom and to Ftank Smith and Eddie [Hearn] for the opportunity. They did say they’d get me on again, and they have. They are men of their words. In terms of this fight, I hear the terminology and words such as ’stepping stone’ and ’test’. But I’ll say what I said in my last Press Conference with [George] Liddard: I’m not trying to be a test or a stepping stone. All respect to Jimmy [Sains]. He’s genuinely a great guy. But I refuse to be the name in the gym that both he and Liddard boxed. In comparison to that fight, I’m feeling a bit darker if I’m being honest. I’ve got some serious, dark intent and you can see in the way I’ve dressed here today, that I’m not here to play any games. I’m going to do what I need to do when I get in that ring and let my hands go. I’m grateful to God that I’m still here in this sport and still physically capable. I’ve been around for a long time and haven’t had the activity I would have perhaps wanted – but I’m low mileage. For me, the goal remains to go as far as I can and keep doing what I do. Whenever that time comes, I want to look back and say I had no regrets and did everything I could do. For me, I need to win by all means necessary. Jimmy’s a good fighter and it will be a good fight.

GIORGIO VISIOLI

I’ve gained a massive experience from training in America. I went last March as well and sparred many great fighters out there. I came back then, sharp as anything against Kane Baker, and you saw that I stopped him in four rounds. So I thought for this camp, let’s go to Vegas again. I needed to invest in myself, which not many people are always willing to do. It came out of my own pocket but that’s the sort of sacrifice you need. I got some great training over there. I sparred Regis Prograis and just gained some great experience. Coming back, I think it is going to stand me in good stead for Saturday. Of course, I’d welcome a stoppage. But, for me, I always just go into the ring and do my thing, then let the stoppages come. Yes, Levi has never been stopped before. But he’s never faced someone like me before. Big respect to him for taking the fight, but there will be levels shown on Saturday. I know how good I am and I know what I’ve done in this camp to show what I can do. By any means, I want to win.

LEVI GILES

I’ve had a fantastic camp and I’m going to give him [Giorgio Visioli] a tough night on Saturday night. Everything has gone really well. Giorgio is a good kid and he's done everything that has been asked of him, making a noise in gyms and that – it’s funny, it’s good. He’s obviously got a massive following, so it is a massive opportunity for me and one I am going to grasp with both hands. It’s going to be a hard fight but every fight at this level is hard. I’ve been in with the Reece Bellotti’s of this world. And stepping up to Lightweight is going to be a big move for us, because there isn’t as much struggle in making the weight. Of course, it is a struggle but nothing like what Super Featherweight was for me. I feel good at the weight, I feel big, and I’ve always sparred heavier lads anyway. So, yes, it’s another tough night but one that me and my team are fully confident going into that I can overcome.

LELI BUTTIGIEG

I think Jake Goodwin is very tough and strong. He’s going to come to fight – which is what I want. The last couple of opponents I’ve had haven’t tried to do that at all. They went on the back foot and went running for eight rounds. He’s going to come forward and that is going to bring out the best in me. I’m stepping up every time and Jake Goodwin coming to fight just adds more fuel to the fire for me. I’ve got a lot of respect for Jimmy [Sains – the current English Middleweight Champion, which this fight is a final eliminator for]. I’ve known him for a long time. I’ve got one mission for now and that is to win on Saturday night. After that, we will sit and talk about what is next.

TAYLOR BEVAN

I’ve only been a pro for 16 months, so I’m massively thankful to Matchroom, and to Eddie [Hearn] and Frank [Smith] for keeping me so active. I’ve got a tough, durable opponent on Saturday night who will hopefully take me through some more rounds, which will give me the opportunity to show a bit more of my boxing skills and boxing IQ. Previously, I’ve gone in there and blasted people out of there. It looks good for the cameras and the showreel but I want to show that I can box as well, and I want to show that on Saturday night. I’ve really enjoyed my journey so far – I’ve been super busy. I haven’t really had too much time to sit and reflect on it so far. But I feel like I’m only just starting to settle into it, with the stage I’m at right now. I know for my last fight, I certainly settled into it a lot more and showed that I can box, as well as knock people out. I’d love to one day headline a show down in Southampton. I’ve had great support coming to cheer me on all around the country since I turned over, so it would be amazing to have a show down there. Boxing on the South Coast is growing all the time, so it is definitely something I am interested in.

LOUIE WARD

It all feels a bit surreal. It’s a big moment for me and I can’t wait to get in the ring on Saturday night and shine. I’m getting used to things but it’s obviously very different to being in the amateurs. I’m sitting down on my punches more and slowing things down. I’m taking in all the lights and the cameras – it’s different. I’m just going to soak it all in and enjoy every moment. You only get one debut. The dream is for a stoppage win.

ADAM MACA

i’ve got that extra bit of confidence in myself now. I know now that I don’t have to go out and rush anything. I can take my time and show off my boxing ability, that perhaps I haven’t shown too much yet in my first four fights. I’ll definitely feel more comfortable getting behind my jab for the first few rounds then probably taking them out quicker. I think my opponent has only lost to the likes of Josh Padley, Aqib Fiaz and one other – so they are top fighters. For me to go in there on Saturday and put on a great performance, then take him out, would be a bit of a statement win.

CONNOR MITCHELL

I wasn’t nervous at all for my debut [last December]. I remember my dad [Kevin Mitchell] saying to me, ‘Don’t be nervous, son’. I was fine. It was quite weird in that snese but it was a good stoppage victory and I showed my power. As an amateur, I never stopped anyone so it was a good thing to do [on my debut]. It’s important for me now to keep stepping up and keep stepping up with the quality of opponents because once I get to the level I want to be at, there’s no going back. So, I am keen to keep on learning, keep on having these step-ups and show just how good I am.