The British middleweight landscape appears set for a significant domestic confrontation. Current champion Kieron Conway is reportedly on course for his first title defense against the division`s mandatory challenger, George Liddard.
This high-stakes encounter is slated to take place on October 11th in Sheffield, England, as a featured bout on an upcoming Matchroom Boxing promotion. While formal confirmation is pending, indicators suggest the fight is close to being officially announced.
Kieron Conway, aged 29 with a record of 23 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw (7 by knockout), secured the Lonsdale Belt earlier this year. His title-winning performance against Gerome Warburton saw him employ a relentless, body-centric attack that culminated in a fourth-round stoppage victory. This added to a recent run of form that included several notable domestic triumphs.
Coincidentally – or perhaps by design, depending on how one views the machinations of boxing`s mandatory system – on the very same fight card where Conway claimed his title, the undefeated George Liddard delivered a career-defining performance. The 23-year-old Liddard (12 wins, 0 losses, 7 by knockout) defeated Aaron Sutton by fifth-round stoppage, a result preceded by multiple knockdowns. This emphatic victory positioned Liddard directly as the mandatory contender for the title Conway had just won.
The stage was thus immediately set for this champion-versus-mandatory matchup. Recent developments indicate that the British Boxing Board of Control has formally approved the contest for October. This approval reportedly followed a request from Matchroom for a voluntary defense, a procedural step that helps solidify the planned bout.
While the middleweight title clash represents a significant draw, the proposed Sheffield card could potentially host other prominent domestic action. Speculation includes a heavyweight bout between Dave Allen and Jeamie TKV, which could potentially contest the vacant British heavyweight title, adding further depth to the overall event.
With regulatory approval now seemingly in place, the official announcement of Kieron Conway defending his British middleweight title against mandatory challenger George Liddard in Sheffield is anticipated shortly. This matchup pits an established champion against an undefeated, surging contender, promising a compelling narrative and a potentially explosive contest for the prestigious Lonsdale Belt.
Tristan Blackwood