GEORGE Liddard declared he was made for the big stage earlier this week and would've learned plenty en route to an impressive 10-round decision win over Derrick Osaze as the unbeaten middleweight secured the Commonwealth Silver title, his first in the paid ranks.

97-93, 96-94, 96-94 read the scorecards and while boos briefly rang around the O2's indigo, he will be itching for more in 2025 after passing a stern test against seasoned opposition on Matchroom's NXTGN show, live on DAZN.

"This is just the start, two ten-rounders scheduled in six weeks against an experienced operator. He was busy but I landed the better shots all night. 22 and headlining for Matchroom, I'm just pleased to be a champion. I want big fights, a little break and then go again, make this worth it," he said in his post-fight interview.

Eddie Hearn praised the matchmaking again afterwards before full Commonwealth champion Kieron Conway (22-3-1, 6 KOs) was mentioned as a possible future opponent, as he looks to continue progressing the levels.

They exchanged jabs early, Liddard working smartly downstairs and finding a home through the 31-year-old's defensive guard for good measure too.

Six months removed from his stunning second-round stoppage defeat by Denzel Bentley, you couldn't help wondering how well the older man could take a big punch after swaying ominously on the back foot in stages of the opening stanza.

Liddard found his rhythm early and was unbothered by the power shots whizzing back as the West Ham supporter, complete with their claret and blue colours accompanying gold trim, smiled as he engaged Osaze at close-range.

Uppercuts, pawing shots, body attacks and even tongues wagging at one another after six minutes, both were having fun. Not for long.

Osaze was guilty of smothering his work in the clinch, as well-intentioned as it was, while Liddard boxed and moved whenever he pleased, landing the more spiteful punches even when the 15-fight veteran threw more.

Timely head movement and patience helped lift the 22-year-old's spirits, before landing a lovely combination which had Osaze briefly retreating and the crowd stirring early as round four unfolded.

Much like his stablemate and divisional counterpart Jimmy Sains (9-0, 9 KOs) produced an hour earlier on the undercard, patience would've been stressed for Liddard and he needed it during a scrappy fifth.

Referee Marcus McDonnell admonished him for dirty boxing, while Osaze had the youngster tangled up against the ropes in the last stages of a stanza suggesting this would limp to a 10-round decision.

In the sixth, it seemed like they had an informal agreement to go punch-for-punch in the pocket and that tactic wasn't exactly a smart strategy for Osaze but neither refused to take a backwards step.

Fans were more interested in watching your obligatory fight-in-the-crowd while you could hear others praise Osaze for refusing to box tentatively after that highlight reel knockout at his expense last Aug. 17.

Speaking of that night, Osaze landed a series of uppercuts early in the eighth but Liddard refused to give him a moment's rest whenever he connected on a sequence of sustained success. Stubbornly walking forward, the Billericay man couldn't help himself engaging up close when maintaining distance would've been the wiser choice.

Osaze's veteran savvy was clear down the stretch as he used all the tools at his disposal, elbows and head included, to make this rougher and more complicated than Liddard's team would've liked.

Liddard's power advantage was still obvious in round nine though, again perhaps guilty of being outworked but pinging Osaze's head back on the odd occasion that a haymaker would present itself.

After both were warned to start round ten, the noise swelled and flurries continued landing clean for both as many hoped they could conjure up a dramatic finish.

Osaze demonstratively refused to be pushed back, Liddard landed a nice shot late and they embraced at the final bell after a hard night's work - both could be proud of their efforts.