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.”