George Liddard vs. Dario Morello | DAZN - 22 August 2026

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In 2 weeks

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Unbeaten Liddard chasing 'little George's dream'

Unbeaten George Liddard says he is living out a boyhood dream as he prepares to face Dario Morello for the vacant European middleweight title.

Liddard, 24, from Billericay in Essex, will face Italy's Morello at York Hall on 22 August after retaining his British and Commonwealth middleweight belts earlier this year.

Since turning professional in 2022, Liddard has claimed eight of his 14 wins by knockout and predicted another victory against 33-year-old Morello, who has a record of 26-1.

"When you work so hard that it seems unreasonable that you don't achieve your goals... that just fills you with confidence." said Liddard.

"I'm not looking beyond 22 August; I've got to go and get the job done there first, but you best believe that once I win the European title, I'm ready to press on for world honours."

In March, Liddard outpointed former European champion Tyler Denny at London's Copper Box Arena, which also won him the vacant IBF intercontinental title.

He previously won his British and Commonwealth titles by stopping Kieron Conway at York Hall last October, and the fight with Denny was the first in which he had to go a full 12 rounds.

"When I was very young I'd stack my pillows and pretend I was fighting people," Liddard told BBC Essex.

"I was knocking pillows out, and that was me winning titles. Now I'm doing that in real life. I always had belief in myself, but I am living little George's dream.

"I think sometimes you never really look back and appreciate how far you've come. You're always looking forward, but when I look back, I'm very proud of what I've achieved at such a young age.

"This is only the beginning... I'm only just getting started."

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Fight Week!!

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George Liddard-Dario Morello now headed to Copper Box instead of York Hall

The venue for George Liddard’s vacant European title fight next week has changed.

Having sold out York Hall in London’s East End, Liddard will now face Dario Morello at the Copper Box Arena.

It means more tickets will go back on sale.

Popular middleweight Liddard is coming off wins over Tyler Denny and Kieron Conway, and the Tony Sims-trained contender is ranked in the top 15 by the IBF, the WBC and the WBO.

Liddard is now 14-0 (8 KOs), while Morello is 26-1 (4 KOs).

According to a Matchroom statement on the venue move: “The decision comes following temporary issues with York Hall which means it is no longer a viable venue.”

[veriton]

York Hall is shut at the moment because of problems with its water supply.

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York Hall is shut at the moment because of problems with its water supply.

yup. its been moved

[MightyWarrior]

Good to see George going the traditional old school route of picking up a European title against a light punching Italian on home turf. This tradition dates back a hundred years or more.

[handsofstone]

Good to see George going the traditional old school route of picking up a European title against a light punching Italian on home turf. This tradition dates back a hundred years or more.

True Dat

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Presser

[keithmoonhangover]

Is Pat McCormack off this card?

[GlobalBox]

Is Pat McCormack off this card?

Yes mate. Injury but I don’t have details.

[keithmoonhangover]

Is Pat McCormack off this card?

Yes mate. Injury but I don’t have details.

[SeanBrennan]

Is Pat McCormack off this card?

His career will be one of those “talented but never lived the life” jobs.

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Fight night!

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Pat McCormack Withdraws From Return On Liddard Undercard

British welterweight Pat McCormack has been withdrawn from his scheduled fight with Brian Rios on Saturday night due to an undisclosed medical issue.

McCormack (8-1, 6 KOs) and Argentina’s Rios (11-2-1, 9 KOs) were set to meet on the Matchroom show headlined by George Liddard’s clash with Dario Morello at Copper Box Arena in London. DAZN would have streamed McCormack’s bout, but he has suffered what has been described as a “minor injury setback” and is now unavailable to fight.

The 31-year-old Sunderland native is not expected to be missing for long, with Matchroom already working on a new date for him to fight.

McCormack had been set to return following the first defeat of his career eight months ago. He was dramatically stopped by British underdog Conah Walker (18-3-1, 9 KOs) in the 12th round of their pulsating clash December 6 in Monte Carlo.

But this injury is the latest in a number of problems during what has been a stop-start career since he turned professional in March 2022.

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'Getting used to this now': Liddard bullish before Morello challenge

Sporting a new haircut and antagonizing his opponent with limited Italian, George Liddard is amped for another impressive display on Saturday night.

The 24-year-old Billericay puncher was put through his paces over 12 bruising rounds with Tyler Denny on March 21 in his first British middleweight title defense.

Reflecting on the performance that night, he accepted needing that experience. It would've been easy to fall into the trap of comparison, given how Hamzah Sheeraz effortlessly dismantled Denny 18 months earlier, but styles make fights.

Denny (21-5-3, 1 KO) gave Zuffa-backed contender Callum Walsh all he could handle on August 8. Given the Irishman's deficiencies, there's a growing skepticism among some that Liddard (14-0, 8 KOs) similarly isn't yet ready for the uber-elite in a weakened division.

He's aware of such chatter but takes it in stride.

"It's a common theme being the main event, I'm getting used to this now and every test I've been given, I've passed," Liddard said during Thursday's final press conference.

After a 10-round points win over Derrick Osaze topped Matchroom's NXTGN card in January 2025, he will be making his third consecutive main event appearance this weekend at the Copper Box Arena.

Liddard-Morello will be streamed exclusively live on DAZN, with the four-fight main card at 7 p.m. BST and 2 p.m. EST after Pat McCormack's injury withdrawal.

"I've never said no to nobody, always performed, talking the talk and walking the walk, consistently proving I'm capable. Let's go pick up the European title and then push onto world honors. I'm obsessed with being the best, standing opposite me is a very scary place for you, I promise," Liddard continued.

Italy's Morello (26-1, 4 KOs) had already boxed 21 times before Liddard made his professional debut in November 2022, with steady but unspectacular opposition on the 33-year-old's resume since then.

Based in Bergamo, the "Spartan" travels overseas for the first time since ending his welterweight campaign with mixed success as an amateur in 2015.

Having similarly gone the 12-round distance for the first time in his last outing, a gritty points win over Faton Vukshinaj in November, he's unimpressed with Liddard's attitude.

"It means everything [to have this opportunity]. I've worked a lot for this moment, all my life, so I have to take it. 33 years old, mature and trained enough, I want this [European] title and will take it. None of your opponents were me, we'll see. You're talking like a neanderthal, I'm even more confident."

After exchanging messages before fight week, Liddard took pleasure in visibly seeing Morello's mood darken now they were days away.

Following Tuesday's fiery first face-off at Matchroom HQ, the visitor isn't pleased with Liddard's perceived exuberance and believes he'll take him to deep waters within three or four rounds. Only time will tell.

[keithmoonhangover]

Is Pat McCormack off this card?

His career will be one of those “talented but never lived the life” jobs.

Same goes for Luke. Both very inactive.

[Perkin Warbeck]

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Live from Copper Box Arena in London UK..
Matchroom Boxing presents: Liddard vs. Morello

Time: 5 pm (UK time)
TV/Live stream: Facebook/YouTube
Time: 7 pm UK
TV/Live stream: DAZN UK | Price: £25.99/Month, £249.99/Year
Time: 2 pm ET/ | 11 am PT
TV/Live stream: DAZN US | Price: $44.99/Month, $449.99/Year

Running Order

*Fight card subject to change.

Live on Facebook | YouTube: 5 pm

6 Round Middleweight Contest
Harley Burrows (1-0) vs. Carlos Miguel Ronner (7-12, 2 KOs)

8 Round Middleweight Contest
Ioan Croft (6-0, 3 KOs) vs. Tomas Andres Reynoso (13-11-1, 3 KOs)

6 Round Super Featherweight Contest
Louie Ward (2-0) vs. Jon Martinez (16-12-5, 2 KOs)

4 Round Featherweight Contest
Connor Mitchell (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. Caine Singh (4-9-2)

Live on DAZN: 7 pm UK | 2 pm ET

Vacant Commonwealth Featherweight Championship
Tiah Mai Ayton (6-0, 5 KOs) vs. Ellie Hellewell (7-1-1, 1 KO)

Followed by ~ 7.49 pm

Vacant Commonwealth Middleweight Championship
Jimmy Sains (12-0, 10 KOs) vs. Tom Cowling (15-1, 4 KOs)

Followed by ~ 8.51 pm

Vacant English Middleweight Championship
Emmanuel Buttigieg (12-0, 4 KOs) vs. P A Gordon (9-0, 1 KO)

Followed by ~ 9.45 pm

Vacant European middleweight Championship
George Liddard (14-0, 8 KOs) vs. Dario Morello (26-1, 4 KOs)

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Live Prelims

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Prelims have started.

Got the times of the main card fights above as well

[gilgamesh]

All you fellas that always complain that there's a Female fight on the card. Watch this one at least.

Tiah Mai Ayton is the Best Female Boxer of all time. She hasn't had the chance to show it yet, but she already is that, and in 5 or 10 years time you'll all know it too like I know it now.

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Main cards starting now

[gilgamesh]

Every time Tiah Mai Ayton fights it's like watching a Gun fight between a BB Gun and a Shotgun.

BB Gun. Try as it might. Is inevitably overwhelmed by the ridiculously superior firepower.

[MasterG]

Ayron decent boxer. I've seen Hellewell a few times on small hall shows, put of her depth here.

If these were 3 minute rounds it would be over by now.

For safety reasons these should be fighting over 3 minutes