TONIGHT at York Hall, British middleweight champion Kieron Conway and challenger George Liddard look set to deliver a thriller at the historic venue, which has produced countless classics down the years.
The British middleweight title has provided no shortage of drama in recent years from Nathan Heaney and Brad Pauls to Denzel Bentley – all of whom have carved out their own slice of Lonsdale Belt history.
But the 160lbs division has always been rich in thrillers. So, ahead of Conway–Liddard, Boxing News looks back at five British middleweight gems guaranteed to satisfy any fan before tonight’s action begins.
Alan Minter v Kevin Finnegan II – September 14, 1976
One of the great British rivalries, Minter and Finnegan fought three times between 1975 and 1977. Having sparred together, they knew each other well. Their first encounter was close, but Minter edged it. The rematch was another physically and mentally draining contest. Compelling, explosive, and constantly shifting in momentum. Finnegan’s late assault almost stopped Minter in the final round, but the Olympic medallist held on to win by half a point, just as he had in their first fight. “He gave me the three hardest fights of my life,” Minter said after Finnegan’s death in 2008.
Tony Sibson v Frank Lucas – April 10, 1979
Just 24 days after his 21st birthday, Sibson won the vacant British title in a brilliant contest at the Royal Albert Hall. Lucas entered as the betting favourite, but Sibson flew out of the blocks in the first three rounds. His early adrenaline rush faded in the fourth, allowing a cut and bloodied Lucas to sense opportunity and dig viciously to the body. With momentum on his side, Lucas was then floored by a left hook that began a hat-trick of knockdowns. Referee Wally Thom stepped in to spare Lucas further punishment.
Mark Kaylor v Roy Gumbs – September 14, 1983
Challenger Kaylor and champion Gumbs were hyped into a genuine grudge match. Gumbs’ manager, former north London car dealer Frank Warren, paid £21,000 to promote the bout. In an astonishing contest, Kaylor hit the deck in round four but rose to storm back, landing sharp, heavy right hands that gradually drained the fight from Gumbs. “It was tougher than I expected, and Gumbs punched harder than I thought,” Kaylor admitted afterwards.
Brad Pauls v Nathan Heaney II – July 20, 2024
Two of the sport’s good guys developed unexpected needle after a disputed draw earlier in the year. Heaney was living out a boxing fairytale, while Pauls was chasing history as Cornwall’s first British champion in 85 years. Both poured their hearts into every exchange, neither willing to back down as they traded punishing shots. For Pauls, it was his world title fight and he found that little bit extra to stop Heaney in the final round.
Denzel Bentley v Brad Pauls – December 7, 2024
Former world title challenger Bentley was rebuilding following his upset loss to Heaney, and “2Sharp” had to be clinical to keep Pauls at bay. The Cornishman refused to yield and built momentum through the middle rounds, looking increasingly dangerous. Bentley, though, found another gear down the stretch, his sharp, stinging punches gradually wearing Pauls down. Another terrific effort from Pauls, but Bentley had just enough quality to retain his title.
If Conway and Liddard can add their names to that list tonight, the York Hall crowd is in for another unforgettable British middleweight title war and the storied 160lbs division will have a fresh classic to talk about for years to come.
