Boxing
Hammers fan Liddard won't let bubble burst as he chases world title
Moses vs. Hrgovic: Watch only on DAZN PPV – Aug 29
George Liddard cannot wait to challenge for the European title at the Copper Box on Saturday night — but he dreams of fighting at the home of his beloved West Ham.
After a late switch of venue from London's iconic York Hall, the popular middleweight from Billericay in Essex is ready to get to work against Dario Morello, live on DAZN.
And while he is not overlooking the man standing in his way of collecting the vacant belt, Liddard already has bigger prizes in his sights.
Speaking exclusively to DAZN News, he said: “I want to be a world champion in the next 12 months — I’ll put that out there right now. When I win on August 22, I want a final eliminator or a world title shot next.
“I'm there or thereabouts now. I'm ranked very highly by a lot of the governing bodies and I think this win will take me even higher.
“When I'm European champion, there's no more belts for me to collect on my way, so in the next 12 months I will be a world champion.”
Along with fellow Hammers fans and Matchroom boxers Jimmy Sains and Connor Mitchell, the British champ was among a record first-round crowd of 53,369 in Stratford.
And he would love nothing better than to step into the ring in front of a packed house at the Championship club's ground.
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Liddard added: “It has to happen, it has to. I feel like I won't be satisfied until it does one day.
“I can already see it. I pictured this from when I was young… being a world champion someday.
“I picture boxing at West Ham. I just see it and know it'll happen.
“If I can win a world title there in front of my people, in front of West Ham, it's something you can tell your grandkids. It’s a lifelong legacy.”
Before dreams of boxing at the London Stadium can become reality, Liddard must take care of Morello.
At the age of 33 and with 27 pro bouts under his belt, the Italian has considerably more ring experience than his unbeaten opponent.
But Liddard, who has notched eight stoppages in 14 victories, is confident he can inflict just the second defeat of Morello’s career — and he is relishing doing it at the Copper Box, where he beat Tyler Denny in his last outing in March.
The Tony Sims-trained boxer said: “When you're the young, upcoming, hungry fighter, you're always going to face people more experienced. You've got to get them out of the way.
"Just like I have the others, I'll do the same again. He's fired up, this is his big opportunity, too, so I don't doubt he's going to come at his best.
"But he isn't going to be able to do it. There's an unstoppable train coming towards him and it's going to be a scary night for him."
Although he had been looking forward to returning to York Hall for a third time, Liddard has taken the move a few miles down the road in his stride.
He added: "A fight's a fight, I've said this from the start. Whether it's The O2, in Vegas, or in someone's back garden, it's man on man at the end of the day.
"No one can help you when you're in there, so I embrace it. I love it. The more pressure, the better for me — I enjoy putting on a show for my people and shutting up my opponent's people.
"It's a fight or flight thing. Some people break under the pressure and some are made under it. I believe I'm the latter, I believe it makes me.
"That ring's going to feel extra small for Dario. I can guarantee that."
Moses vs. Hrgovic - exclusively on DAZN PPV
Watch Moses Itauma attempt to become the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson against Filip Hrgovic on Saturday, August 29, only on DAZN.
Buy as a one-off PPV or included along with Romero vs. Lopez (Aug 22) and Canelo vs. Mbilli (Oct 31) PPVs with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
For more information, pricing and to buy, click here.
