Hi George, how’s your day going so far?

It’s been a long day. Just training. I’m literally just outside the gym now, about to go straight to my second and third training sessions of the day. It’s full on; it’s full on to the minute. I’ve got a strength training session, and then I’ll probably have, like, a 20-minute break, and then I’ve got a run, just a nice, steady run.

Jacket Cecile Tulkens / Track top Camiel Fortgens / Boxing gloves George’s own

Sounds solid. Obviously you’ve gone from amateur level to one of the most talked about middleweights in Britain. So at this stage of your career, how do you reflect on your journey so far? 

I’ve been given some great opportunities so early on in my career. And, like you said, to go from obviously just a young lad with a dream to being one of the most talked-about middleweights in Britain is crazy to me. But I always knew I could get here with hard work and dedication, and here we are. And now it’s just my turn to prove myself to everyone that’s given me the opportunity, that they were right in doing that.

When did you know that boxing was something you wanted to do for your career? When was the first time that you picked up a pair of boxing gloves?

The first time I picked up a pair of boxing gloves, I couldn’t even tell you how old I was. It was probably just when I could walk. I’d probably been given some for Christmas. My dad and the rest of my family always loved boxing; everyone in my family loves boxing.

I started taking it more seriously. Obviously, I joined the gym and started having fights at about 10 years old. But it wasn’t really till, like, 15 or 16 when it started to really hit. It was like, okay, maybe I could really do something with this. It just all kind of fell into place. There have been ups and downs along the way, that’s what makes the journey exciting. But we’ve hit a really good patch, and things are going really well. Long may they last.

Fur coat Louther

That’s the spirit. Can’t believe you started fighting when you were only 10!

Yeah, yeah, a little 10-year-old kid just having a war in front of people. It’s crazy when you think about it, but that’s just been my life growing up, putting on a show for people. 

Very inspiring. You also signed with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing early on, which is a great achievement, both in terms of acknowledgement and credibility. How important has that backing been in helping you develop, both in and out of the ring?

It’s been everything. Listen, I always think no matter which route I went down, I would make something of my life, but to have the backing of Matchroom and to have the backing of Eddie is everything. He said he supported me because I was a local lad who had a decent story and who may go on to win a British title, but I feel like I’ve proved to him that now I’m not just a British champion, I’m world level, and I think he’s seen that, and they’ve given me great opportunities. All throughout my career, I’ve boxed on some big undercards. I’ve had some not-so-great performances, but we worked our way into a good position again. They give me the opportunities, and I just have to provide the entertainment. I probably wouldn’t be quite where I am so fast if it wasn’t for them.

Jacket Cecile Tulkens / Track top Camiel Fortgens

That’s amazing, they definitely saw the potential! Speaking of development, you’re working with Tony Sims too. Since turning professional, what areas of your game would you say have evolved the most?

The bridge from amateur to professional is very different. It’s a very different sport. It’s a very different game. And I feel like they’ve just helped me really find my feet as a pro quickly. I feel like I’ve always looked relatively experienced, even when I haven’t been. And I just think that’s thanks to them. They’ve taught me; they’ve kind of helped develop my power. They’ve brought on my spin. They’ve brought on everything. They took some of my natural strengths and strengthened them, and they took some of my weaknesses, maybe, and developed them. Tony’s taught me a lot just outside the ring too, in terms of keeping your feet on the ground, staying humble, staying hungry and driven, and never overlooking any opponent.

What did you find was the most challenging or the part that you least expected when going from amateur to pro?

I didn’t really know what to expect when I turned pro. Everyone, and obviously you see the bright lights. I’ve been lucky to be on big shows from the get-go; not everyone gets to fight on such big shows so early in their career. So I’m grateful for that. But to be honest, for me, it was just learning. I think, more so as the business side of things works, it’s a very different game. In the amateurs, we don’t get paid, we do it because we love it. And in the pro game, it’s business. It’s business and it’s passion. But yeah, I think learning the business side of things has obviously been quite difficult at times, trying to understand how certain things work. And there was a period for a few fights where it was kind of mandatory to fight for a title, but because it was tied up elsewhere, there were ways people could hold onto it and not fight me. So that was a bit of a frustrating period. But I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I’m here where I am today because of those things.

Knit Cecile Tulkens

I can imagine! When it comes to fighting abroad, because you’ve obviously been to Las Vegas which was a big moment, among others, did you feel like you had to prove yourself even more?

I spent a month away in that training camp in Los Angeles before the fight, away from family. I feel like I really grew from a boy to a man after that. Looking back, I wish I had enjoyed it more. I just kind of put a lot of pressure on myself to perform. You know, we’re in Vegas, I put so much pressure on myself, but I feel like I took away from the enjoyment of it. I don’t care what anyone says: if you’re not enjoying something, it’s not always the best thing for you. And I know you can’t enjoy every day at work, but I’m fortunate enough to say that I’ve loved my whole life, so I just wish I enjoyed it that bit more and soaked it all up. It was a good learning fight; I beat an unbeaten lad in his own country, so there was a lot to take from it.

Hindsight is a beautiful thing, at least now you know you’ve experienced it and the next time you can fully soak it all in. But I’m curious, what does a four week training camp entail?

So the four weeks were in LA. The training camp’s normally a lot longer. But those four weeks in LA were grueling, to be fair, because I didn’t find out about the flight till, I think, five weeks before it was happening. So, obviously, that was going to be a short training camp, and I actually got told on Christmas Day. So, it was a nice Christmas present, but then, obviously, I got told a week later we were flying to LA, so it all happened very fast.

But those four weeks were tough. For the first time, I was having to kind of deal with a bit of jet lag. I was away from my family for a month, so I was sparring tough rounds with good Mexican fighters, Ukrainian fighters, and American fighters. It was great, it was a great experience. I learned a hell of a lot, mixing with some good people, but it was tough at times. I’d be waking up at four in the morning, jet-lagged; we would be out running at six a.m., and it was tough. But I enjoyed it. I did push myself to the limit, but I learnt a lot about myself. So yeah, it was definitely a positive thing.

Jacket Saul Nash / Hoodie Camiel Fortgens / Boxer shorts Cecile Tulkens / Boots George’s own

Sounds gruelling, but yeah it definitely paid off it seems.

A lot of sparring, a lot of running, strength training. There are so many aspects that go into our game, all the nutrition, everything. There’s so much that goes into what we do. People get to see, like, the 1% of everything, the bright lights and the fights, but so much goes into a training camp. You know, it really is a 24/7 job. It’s a lifestyle, really.

So you’re also facing Tyler Denny in two weeks. What excites you most about this matchup because I know I read that he’s known for his toughness; What kind of challenge do you expect from him?

Tyler’s got a bit of a reputation, he’s been a bit of a workhorse and a tough lad. I love every challenge that gets thrown my way. I don’t really pick opponents; I let my team do that, and I say yes to whoever gets put to me. Tyler was a former European champion, so for me, that’s another step in the right direction towards where I want to be by the end of the year. I want to be a European champion, and I want to be closer to those world titles. So this is a step towards that. When they put it to me, it was a no-brainer. I want that fight. And listen, every fight for me now is a test of how great I am. It’s all well and good saying that I’m world level and that I’m going to be a world champion, but I need to beat these guys to prove it. So yeah, I’m looking forward to when I can do that in front of my crowd.

Fur coat Louther

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, you are known as the Billericay Bomber, so you need to leave that legacy, right! Sidenote, how did that nickname come about?

I had my first three fights at, like, 20, and I knocked all three out. Obviously, I’m from Billericay, and a few local people started calling me the Billericay Bomber. I just thought I liked that. It kind of stuck, and it’s been that since. I feel like even then I wasn’t a massive puncher. I was only 20, 21, and I was still developing into the man that I am now. Each fight now, we’re starting to see more and more power come from me naturally. I’m not looking for it, it just comes, and I’m developing into more of a man now. I’m 23, turning 24 in May, so I’m only just starting to come into my prime years. So you’re gonna see, you know, the Billericay Bomber is gonna be even more of a bomber, fight on fight. Gonna be a worldwide bomber instead of just Billericay.

Jacket and trouser Cecile Tulkens

Exactly. Billaricay going worldwide. So aside from boxing, you shot your first editorial with Principle Magazine. What was the experience like?

Something new, that’s for sure. Obviously, the first time I’ve done anything of that sort. I don’t get fazed by much. I’m always up for trying something different. It was a good bit of fun, a bit of a change-up from training, so it was just a little bit less serious. I’ve seen a few of these pictures, and I’m looking forward to seeing it and actually seeing my face in an editorial. Yeah, I think I’m gonna like it. Who knows, maybe there’s another route for me, haha.

Haha, you can always branch out. Last but not least, what is your ultimate goal in your career? 

I’m in boxing for one reason, and that was to be a world champion, to see my family see me crowned world champion, fill them with that pride, and to be able to set up not just my life, but my future family’s life through boxing. I want to create a legacy in this game. I want George Liddard to be a household name in boxing. If you talk about boxing in Britain and worldwide, I want my name to come into the picture. I want to be an undisputed world champion, whether that’s middleweight, super middleweight, whatever weight it is. I like to believe that will happen someday. And I can feel it already, I feel like I have what it takes, as long as I stay dedicated and keep my feet on the ground. And I have no doubt that I will.

We are speaking it into existence right now! Thanks so much for your time.

Shirt and trousers Cecile Tulkens

George Liddard will defend his British & Commonwealth Middleweight Titles,
against Tyler Denny, at the Copper Box Arena on March 21st 2026.

Follow George