George Liddard following in the footsteps of Darren Barker and John Ryder

Tony Sims considers George Liddard to have the potential to emulate Darren Barker and John Ryder. 

Liddard, on Friday at the Indigo at London’s O2 Arena, fights Derrick Osaze in his 11th professional contest and that which perhaps represents his first true test.

The 22 year old in December, on a promotion led by Tony’s son Charlie’s Huge Boxing banner, stopped the little-known Omar Nguale Ilunga inside a round. Victory on Friday would put him on course to challenge for the Commonwealth middleweight title held by Kieron Conway – it is at middleweight where Tony Sims led Barker to a world title and where he also long guided Ryder; both are considered Sims’ greatest successes – and it is a similar future Sims hopes Liddard can have.

“Every fighter’s different, but as a prospect he’s definitely up there with them two, when they were both 10-0,” the trainer told BoxingScene. “He’s also really young. He’s just turned 22. But I’m looking at him – [my former fighter] Felix Cash also won a [British and Commonwealth] title at middleweight – he’s definitely on that path, and once you get to that British title level and win that and get past that, then you see what they’re really made of, when they’re entering world level. But at the minute he’s definitely on course for a British title, I believe.

“On Friday he’s got a decent test in front of him. He’s topping the bill. It’s a good test for him. Derrick’s only lost to [Denzel] Bentley with a good shot, a surprise shot, and lost to Tyler Denny on points. He’s definitely one to watch.”

The light heavyweight Craig Richards recently started working with Sims, who also once guided Anthony Joshua to the IBF heavyweight title and Joe Cordina to the IBF title at super featherweight, and who since Ryder’s retirement has been assisted by him at his gym in Hainault, Essex, England.

Osaze, 31, hasn’t fought since being stopped by Denzel Bentley in August 2024.

“He’s stepping up nicely,” Sims continued of Liddard. “If he wins Friday it makes him mandatory for the Commonwealth George Liddard following in the footsteps of Darren Barker and John Ryder, which Kieron Conway has got. I’d be quite happy to put him into that fight. 

“The British title’s become vacant – I expect Conway to be first in line for that shot. Maybe George will get that shot. But I’m happy for him to fight Conway for the British or Commonwealth, really, so I’m happy for him to step up. He could win the British and Commonwealth titles this year and step up from there.”