LIDDARD: WHY I'M RUNNING MATCHROOM HALF MARATHON AFTER TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST DENNY
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 19 Mar 2026
George Liddard has vowed to successfully defend his British & Commonwealth Middleweight Titles this Saturday – live on DAZN – and then run in the Matchroom Brentwood Half Marathon the following morning.
The ‘Billericay Bomber’ will be one of 2500 runners participating in this Sunday’s race which is one of Essex’s most cherished community events.
Matchroom last summer pledged its support to the Brentwood Half Marathon with a five-year sponsorship deal worth over £100,000, beginning with the 2026 race on Sunday [March 22] – which will be attended by Matchroom Sport Chairman, Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Founder and President, Barry Hearn OBE. The new partnership marks an exciting new chapter in the event’s 44-year history of bringing runners, charities, and the Brentwood community together.
And Liddard is proud to be one of the runners taking part in his noble fight outside the ring to support one of his dearest friends, whose three-year-old son recently suffered a heart wrenching accident whilst on holiday and his family are now raising funds to support his recovery cause.
"Some people will think I’m slightly mad, but I will be on the starting line this Sunday for the Mathcroom Brentwood Half Marathon – and will be doing so, still as your reigning British & Commonwealth Champion,” said Liddard, speaking to Matchroom Boxing.
"I’ve had a great camp and I know I’ve got 13-and-a-half miles in my legs the morning after defending my belts for the first time.
"My trainer Tony [Sims] is running too along with my stable mate Craig Richards. I’m doing it because I want to help raise vital funds for a good friend of mine, whose young son Mario recently suffered a terrible accident during their holiday in Austria.
"My sincere prayers are with them at this extremely dificult time. For what they’re going through right now pales in comparison to me getting up the morning after my fight to go for a run. It’s the least I can do to raise awareness and help them get the support they need.
"Of course, my full and primary focus is on the job at hand – and that is to successfully defend my British & Commonwealth Titles.”
Liddard shared an intense first Fight Week face-off with rival Denny inside the London Stadium – home of his beloved West Ham United Football Club.
And the 23-year-old dreams of headlining there one day – but knows he must first do the business at the neighbouring Copper Box Arena this Saturday.
"Headlining at the Copper Box is massive,” Liddard added.
"I’m so grateful to everyone who is coming down to support me. Being in Stratford, East London, just a stone's throw from West Ham United, means everything. I can’t wait to put on a show.
"When I beat [Kieron] Conway, I put the entire division on notice. I’m a tough night’s work for anyone at 160 – and I genuinely believe that this year, I will prove that I am one of the very best in the world at 160lbs.
"Tyler Denny is a good opponent and he has a cerftain style of fighting. But I have no doubt that I get the job done. Pressure is what drives me and it is what drives me to want to put in these big performances for my people. It’s a scary place to be when you’re standing opposite me.
"I’m not letting nobody come and take what is mine, I can tell you that. My belts are staying right here in East London and Essex. Nobody is taking these away from me."
You can watch Thursday’s Press Conference live on Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel.
Follow all the latest updates throughout fight week @matchroomboxing on social media.
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