A RIDDLESDEN boxer ‘floored’ his partner at the end of his latest bout – with a marriage proposal!

Liam O’Reilly went down on one knee in the ring and popped the question, in front of cheering spectators and a live TV audience.

And his shocked partner-of-three-years, Mandy Davies, crowned a glorious night for the fighter by saying yes.

Liam – in his third professional contest – had just defeated Dale Arrowsmith, his toughest opponent to date, in four rounds at Colne Municipal Hall.

The whole show was being broadcast live on Fightzone TV.

“I thought it would be a nice touch to propose to Mandy in the ring after the fight,” said Liam, 33.

“I didn’t know until the night before that it was going to be live on television. I was more nervous about that than the fight!

“When Mandy said yes it just made the night. It was a double win for me!

“We’ve actually known each other for about 16 years ­– Mandy works at the same place as my mum – but we started dating three years ago.”

Mandy, 41, a quality and finance manager, said Liam’s proposal had come as a complete surprise.

“We’d been so focused on the fight – with all the preparation involved in the background – the last thing I expected was the proposal!” she said.

“On the night I was just so happy seeing Liam back in the ring.

“Boxing has taken a huge break due to Covid and Liam has missed it. So when he was in the ring, I was so busy watching how much he had improved and trying to take some good photos that I didn’t see what was coming.

“The last photo I took was of him holding the microphone and without realising it, I just heard my name! I was completely out of my depth, in front of a crowd and a TV crew. He got down on one knee, proposed and I said yes. The crowd, which included Liam’s family and friends, cheered so loudly – it was amazing!

“The event – for us and his supporters – was about the fight, but Liam chose to make it about us too which was lovely. I’ve always joked he’d never want to get married – I think he has proved me wrong in the best way!”

Liam has been boxing professionally for three years and juggles it with his work as an escalator engineer, with Escalutions Ltd.

He pays tribute to the support team around him – including his new trainer Al Osta, his manager Kevin Maree and sponsors Escalutions Ltd, Davidson Site Services, Westerman Roofing, Total Escalators and Speciality Timber Co Yorkshire.

Liam hopes to take on his fourth fight later this year.