The 23-year-old threatened an early stoppage in the first three rounds, though would have learned far more from a taxing 12-round duel than had he replicated Hamzah Sheeraz's two-round blitz of the former European champion.

The old adage styles make fights showed itself again, Denny (21-4-3, 1 KO) was a sizable underdog and for good reason, though grew into a fiery contest and made the man 11 years his junior feel the benefits of invaluable experience by luring him towards exchanging in close quarters when it would've been better to keep him at range.

Denny told The Ring in the build-up that Matchroom were protecting their best interests by having an option on his next fight, ensuring the famed Lonsdale belt would remain in their possession regardless of the result.

He still has plenty to offer and now a free agent after BOXXER's Sky deal expired last summer, earned more opportunities after a stubborn showing. Whether he'll want to hover around this level as the away fighter, remains to be seen.

Team Liddard were full of praise for the Rowley Regis southpaw nonetheless, with the defending champion ticking another box off - going the championship distance against a different style than he's used to and finishing strong.

"The one thing you're going to struggle against, other than a southpaw, is experience. Tyler has loads and no matter how hard Liddard trains and improves, he can't compete with that," Hearn said in the post-fight presser.

"He has to use other things and in those kinds of fights where it starts getting nip-and-tuck, you can start to spiral a little bit and lose rounds. He did the reverse, came on strong in the championship rounds and won rounds 10-12, that was the most impressive thing. Tony [Sims] will be very pleased with how he kept his composure, Denny is a very good fighter and was right up for it. To go [Kieron] Conway, then Denny at 23 in your 13 and 14th fight is a very solid move on the resume."

Hearn couldn't help but look towards the immediate future and suggested an in-house world title shot against Austin 'Ammo' Williams, had he beaten Carlos Adames in the second of their double-header overnight. Instead, WBC beltholder Adames (25-1-1, 18 KOs) floored Williams early before engaging in an entertaining firefight at times en route to a one-sided points win in Orlando.

That's the level Liddard (14-0, 8 KOs) is aspiring to reach, but he certainly needs more domestic-level seasoning before scaling those heights and this outing laid that bare for all to see.

"23 years old, never shied away from a challenge, not many people my age in the world, let alone the country stepping up like I am and I need fights like that. Could I have got him outta there at times? Maybe, but I'm actually grateful for doing the 12 rounds and think it's going to hold me in good stead as I go up the levels, not here to pad my record ... I don't believe anyone beats me, I'll find a way to win but it's about testing myself."

Undoubtedly aware the middleweight landscape remains thin at world level, he repeated an 18-month timeframe to become world champion, one Hearn downplayed as he would prefer him win the Lonsdale belt outright first before stepping up to European and fringe world-level opposition. Former WBO junior middleweight beltholder Liam Smith, even at 37, is exactly the sort of notable name they're looking to snare at some stage this year.

Having added a vacant IBF trinket title to his ever-growing belt collection, he'll move up in their rankings next month. Liddard is ranked No. 12 by the WBA and No. 15 with the IBF in their March update.

"That's the plan, defend British and Commonwealth titles and move in position for a mandatory [world title] shot. We'll get him ranked with the other [sanctioning bodies], though I do like the idea of winning the Lonsdale belt," Hearn added.

"There's always things to work on," Liddard said.

"My defense wasn't great but I put on a show for the people. You can't teach heart, I won and that's all that matters. Can I make those mistakes against the best, no, but then you'll see a better Liddard. The middleweight landscape is wide open, fortune favors the brave and I'm not here to mess about or afraid to take a risk."