Wins clear decision before completing half marathon hours after fight
George Liddard (13-0, 8 KOs) outpointed Tyler Denny over twelve rounds at the Copper Box Arena to retain his British and Commonwealth middleweight titles and pick up the vacant IBF Intercontinental belt.
Liddard’s conditioning and workrate held firm. He kept his balance, stayed disciplined with his punch selection, and did not allow Denny to establish any success on the inside. Denny had moments when he pushed forward, but Liddard answered with straight shots and short hooks, keeping control of the exchanges.
The scores reflected Liddard’s consistency over twelve rounds, with his jab and right hand doing the foundation work and his combinations sealing rounds.
Hours after the fight, Liddard lined up in Essex and completed the Brentwood Half Marathon, covering over 13 miles in just over two and a half hours.
“I’m a little bit sore and I didn’t get too much sleep last night, but I had to be here to do my bit for that family today,” said Liddard.
“I’m a man of my word. And I had to turn up to support their cause. I was understandably a little bit slower than usual, but it was so great to join thousands of other runners who are raising money for charities like I am too.”
The performance in the ring showed a young middleweight building his game the right way. He worked behind the jab, set his feet before punching, and kept his combinations compact. As the level rises, adding more work to the body and tightening the inside exchanges will be important, but the base is already in place.
“I’ve earned myself a little break now and I don’t think ‘ll be running for at least another week. But I hope I’ll be back out in the ring very soon. I’ll fight any man.”
Eddie Hearn said: “It truly is remarkable what George has done today, off the back of a solid 12-rounds last night.”
He added: “George has a fantastic future ahead of him and he is becoming a proper hero on the streets of Essex.”