George Liddard vs. Derrick Osaze Ends in Decision After Tough Ten Rounds

On Friday, January 31, George Liddard (11-0, 6 KOs) faced “The Punching Preacher,” Derrick Osaze (13-3, 3 KOs), in a main event at the Indigo at The O2, Greenwich for the Commonwealth silver middleweight title. The entire card – was promoted by Matchroom Boxing and streamed live on DAZN. Liddard was awarded the victory by unanimous decision in what was a great test and step up for the 22-year-old Essex Fighter.

George Liddard Passes Acid Test Against Derrick Osaze

George Liddard vs. Derrick Osaze Fight Recap

It was a mostly quiet opening round, with a short left hook from Liddard, the highlight. Osaze slipped punches well early on and showed how useful his experience is, but Liddard looked heavy-handed in the opening rounds.

The next few rounds were scrappy, with Osaze having his moments with quick flurries. Despite these successes, ‘The Billericay Bomber’ was producing – the cleaner work. Round six saw “The Punching Preacher” box well off the back foot and proved elusive for most of the round. Liddard showcased some smart work in the pocket during round seven – moving his head well and picking his punches.

As the fight made its way into the final rounds, Osaze was having his moments, but the work of the 22-year-old was the more eye-catching and doing enough to take the majority of these rounds.

The final round saw both fighters give everything, but again, the cleaner work came from the Billericay man, and watching this from inside the Indigo, I have Liddard winning 7-3. As both fighters gathered in the middle of the ring the judge’s scorecards were read, 97-93 and 96-94 x2.

Matchroom Boxing NxtGEN Undercard

In the co-main event, Junaid Bostan (10-0-1, 8 KOs) and Bilal Fawaz (9-1-1, 3 KOs) fought a scrappy fight, ending in a split draw. The judge’s scorecards read 97-93 Fawaz, 96-94 for Bostan – with the third judge scoring the fight 95-95. Bostan moved and boxed well in spells while Fawaz had his success when he got inside. An immeadiate rematch looks the only option for this English Super Welterweight title fight.

Jimmy Sains (9-0, 9 KOs) continued the unbeaten start to his professional career as he dominated and knocked out the tough Frenchman Pierre Rosadini (6-7-3, 0 KOs) in round number seven of their middleweight bout with referee Kieran McCann deeming Rosadini in no position to continue.

Super featherweight Giorgio Visioli (6-0, 5 KOs) impressed again with his sharp combination punching, defeating Francisco Javier Lucero (16-7-4, 12 KOs). The fight was stopped at the end of round five, with Lucero’s corner withdrawing their fighter.

Before the Bell

2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Taylor Bevan (2-0, 2 KO) impressed again, scoring two knockdowns in the second round before the referee stepped in to wave the fight off, awarding him the victory against Szymon Kajda (1-1-1, 1 KO) in their super middleweight fight.

Jesse Brandon (5-0, 1 KO) boxed diligently throughout, defeating Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira (6-19, 5 KOs). The referee Kieran McCann scored the super lightweight contest 60-54.

Leli Buttigieg (7-0, 1 KO) boxed well in phases and overcame a determined James Todd (4-5-2, 0 KOs). Mark Bates scored the middleweight bout 58-56.

Maisey Rose Courtney (8-1, 0 KOs) won her flyweight contest against Jasmina Nad (11-34-5, 4 KOs) in dominating style. She moved well throughout, picking her punches impressively. Kieran McCann scored the fight 60-54.