BRITISH middleweight champion Kieron Conway is not convinced his next challenger, George Liddard, believes his own hype.
The two meet in Matchroom Boxing’s main event on Friday night (October 17) at the famed York Hall. For Conway this first defence can further solidify his claim as the best in Britain, while for Liddard it’s a chance to justify the noise that’s been building in the background.
Conway has shared the ring with seasoned operators such as Ted Cheeseman, Macaulay McGowan, James Metcalf and Linus Udofia. The Northampton boxer worked his way up to fringe world level against Souleymane Cissokho and Austin “Ammo” Williams, but tasted defeat on both occasions – only narrowly by split decision to Cissokho.
The 29-year-old spoke at today’s fight-week press conference and reflected on the past while focusing on the present.
“It’s not about the ones I’ve been in before. They were big, and I took that experience and I’ll take that into the ring. But it’s not about that now. It’s about this one and this is the one I’m focused on.
“Some of my previous performances when I was a bit younger, maybe I was more concerned about not losing. 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 picked up these titles, picked up other titles along the way.
“He [Liddard] 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, six years younger than Conway and with 15 fewer fights, delivered a career-best performance last time out in a British title eliminator against Aaron Sutton. The win secured his mandatory shot and proved he can perform when it matters.
“This is everything,” he said at today’s presser.
“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. This is the fight for me.
“I didn’t get to fight for the Southern Area, I didn’t get to fight for the English. I wanted to fight for them. It was out of my hands. Nobody wanted to fight me. We picked up the Commonwealth Silver. I won a British title eliminator – it’s led me to this. I’ve earned my way here. 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.”
