Kieron Conway was once the prospect on the way up, protecting his record and trying to collect as many belts as possible. On Friday night, inside Bethnal Green’s York Hall, he encounters George Liddard, a 23-year-old who is eager to impress and, just like Conway used to be, desperate to get his hands on silverware.
The 29-year-old Conway, 23-3-1 (7 KOs), brings the British and Commonwealth middleweight titles but insists this fight is not about the belts that are on the line in a 12-rounder which is eagerly awaited by the British hardcore. It’s about not only teaching the 12-0 (7 KOs) Liddard a lesson, it’s about hurting him and putting him in his place.
“Some of my previous performances when I was a bit younger, maybe I was more concerned about not losing,” Conway said at today’s press conference. “Things happen in your career; things happen in your life – I think they flick the switch for me. Now I want to hurt these guys. I’ve up these titles, picked up other titles along the way. He talks a lot about wanting these belts. After I knock him out, I’ll give him these belts. I don’t believe the confidence at all. I think that he’s convinced himself, he’s looked in the mirror enough times and said these quotes that he keeps putting out there. I just don’t think that it’s true. I definitely don’t believe the hype. Friday night, I just want to shut him up.”
Liddard isn’t one to be talked down. Confident and talented, the man from Billericay, England, is aiming high in the long-term. And to get there, the big domestic belts must come first.
“This is everything,” he said. “I want to achieve great things in this sport. I’ve never shied away from a challenge. I always want to test myself against the best. Domestically right now, he’s classed as the best. He’s got the belts and I want them strapped around me… Fight on fight I’ve always stepped up. Anyone that’s been put to me – I said yes. I never shy away from a challenge and this is my next step. I can’t wait for it. I believe he hasn’t boxed someone with the ability I have. He’s been in with some good fighters. But the mixture that I have, I feel like I have all of the right ingredients of a great fighter. I can adapt to any fighter. I just do not believe that he’ll be able to live with me come Friday night.”
Also appearing on the Matchroom show, which will be streamed live on DAZN, is Jimmy Sains vs. Troy Coleman for the vacant English strap at middleweight, Shannon Ryan and Chloe Watson collide over 10-twos at junior bantamweight, and there are appearances for prospects, Adam Maca, Taylor Bevan, Tiah Mai Ayton and Jermaine Dhliwayo.
