Never scared to take on a challenge and ready to give his all.
Meet Liam Conroy, who has finished a busy, yet rewarding 2019 on a high.
The Barrow fighter can enjoy Christmas safe in the knowledge he is one step closer to a crack at a life-changing prize.
Conroy has reached the light-heavyweight semi-finals of MTK’s Golden Contract tournament.
The fighting pride of Cumbria defeated Andre Sterling in their last eight bout at the Brentwood Centre in Essex, winning on a unanimous points decision after a 10-round cracker.
After defeats in two championship contests in 2019, his victory was not only thoroughly deserved for the performance he gave in Essex, but a reward for his ambition (and aggression) this year.
“I fancy my chances, absolutely,” he said. “I only have to win a couple more fights.
“It was nice to finish the year on a high, I’ve not had loads of success this year, but I’ve taken the fights and this opportunity has paid off.”
Conroy’s challenge for the vacant British light-heavyweight title in March did not last long, but he gained top marks for his effort and guts against Rio medalist Joshua Buatsi at the Copperbox Arena.
He then travelled to Belfast for an intriguing all-MTK meeting with Northern Ireland’s Steven Ward, losing on a technical decision for the WBO European belt with the home man winning on points after a bad cut ended the bout.
“I’ve lost fights before, you win some and lose some in this game and it’s about looking to come back better every time,” the BAE Systems mechanical engineer told IFLTV.
Conroy v Sterling always had the look of a belter of a match up and it did not disappoint.
The Londoner went into the quarter-final having won all but one of his 11 bouts while Conroy, before his championship defeats to Buatsi and Ward, had been on a superb run as Northern Area champion and English belt holder.
Liam’s long, straight shots scored well and, as he has proven so often, there is power in those fists.
And that was proven when he Sterling with a left hook in the seventh. To the Londoner’s credit, the former Southern Area champion recovered quickly and responded with spirit late on but it was Conroy’s night.
All three judges marked it for Liam with a variety of margins, Phil Edwards (96-94), Kieran McCann (97-92) and Terry O’Connor (98-91) to move into the semis where Hosea Burton, Ricards Bolotniks and Serge Michel await.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
