On Friday, January 31, 2025, George Liddard faced Derrick Osaze at the Indigo at The O2, Greenwich, marking the headline event of the Matchroom Boxing NxtGEN fight card. With Liddard's unbeaten professional record on the line, the anticipation surrounding the bout was palpable, as he aimed to extend his impressive record to 11-0.
Liddard, nicknamed "The Black Panther," entered the ring with confidence, seeking to build on his previous first-round victory against Omar Nguale Ilunga last December. Osaze, on the other hand, came prepared to avenge his recent loss against Denzel Bentley and regain momentum after suffering from inconsistency.
The bout itself, though not described as "a classic" according to Big Fight Weekend, featured Liddard landing more eye-catching shots throughout the fight. The judges awarded Liddard the unanimous decision victory, with scores of 97-93 and 96-94 from two judges, solidifying his claim to the Commonwealth silver middleweight title. Liddard’s performance, characterized by significant punches and tactical gameplay, marked this contest as the toughest test of his career yet.
Matchroom Boxing stated, "Liddard deserves to be ranked first and win the Commonwealth silver middleweight title," emphasizing the importance of this win for Liddard's career aspirations.
Alongside the main event, the NxtGEN fight card included several notable bouts. The co-main event featured super-welterweight contenders Junaid Bostan and Bilal Fawaz. Their match ended controversially with the judges declaring the fight a draw after three evenly contested rounds. Bostan seemed to control the early exchanges but faded as Fawaz became more active, resulting in one judge scoring it 97-93 for Fawaz, another 96-94 for Bostan, and the remaining 95-95 as even.
Fans also witnessed the slick performance of Giorgio Visioli, who secured his win over Francisco Javier Lucero with impressive counter-punching and movement. Visioli's dominance throughout the fight hinted at his potential to make significant noise within the super featherweight division.
Other noteworthy performances included Jimmy Sains showcasing his power by stopping Pierre Rosadini, and Taylor Bevan continuing his winning streak with another early stoppage. Maisey Rose Courtney, coming off her first career defeat, successfully rebounded with a convincing performance against Jasmina Nad, winning her fight 60-54 and regaining her footing within the women's divisions.
Liddard’s victory not only puts him firmly on the map within the boxing community but also positions him well for future high-profile bouts. Given the quality of opposition faced and the showcase of developing talent at this event, boxing fans can expect Liddard's name to be prominent as he pursues championship opportunities.
With his victory, Liddard has proven he is more than just another boxer; he is set to be one of the standout stars to watch as the boxing calendar progresses. With rising stars like Visioli and Bostan also making waves, the future of British boxing appears bright.