Liddard stops Conway in tenth to win British and Commonwealth titles

George Liddard defeated Kieron Conway by tenth round stoppage on Friday night at York Hall in London to claim the British and Commonwealth middleweight titles. The 23 year old challenger forced Conway's corner to throw in the towel at 49 seconds of the tenth round after a sustained assault and a left-hand injury to the champion, sealing a technical knockout and marking Liddard's first stoppage of a reigning titleholder in the division.

Liddard, nicknamed the Billericay Bomber, controlled the bout from the opening rounds with a sharp, persistent jab and quick combinations. The challenger repeatedly punctured Conway's guard, opening a nosebleed by the fourth and increasing pressure through the middle rounds. Conway, 29, had moments of success, notably rallying in the fourth and landing heavy shots at times, but Liddard's pace and accuracy gradually wore him down. In the ninth round a body shot prompted Conway to take a knee, and he appeared to injure his left hand after landing a punch awkwardly, a problem that limited his effectiveness in the closing stages.

Referee Mark Bates administered an eight count in the ninth when Conway was held up on the ropes, and in the tenth Liddard...