Liam: I can’t wait to defend against Ollie

Liam O'Hare...ordered to defend Midlands title against Ollie Cooper

THERE’S good reason for genuine excitement over the prospect of Midlands super-middleweight champ Liam O’Hare defending against Ollie Cooper.

It’s a barnstorming battle of unbeatens, a small hall gem: the first true acid test for both prospects.

And that adrenaline rush is shared by O’Hare, from Hereford, but trained at Birmingham’s Eastside gym.

He said: “He’s a class guy. It’s going to be a very hard fight and I’m looking forward to it. He’s a tall southpaw, I’m a come forward type of fighter. It will make for a great, enjoyable fight. It’s going to be very hard and I’m really excited about it. I just hope it happens.”

The 10 rounder has been called for by the Midlands Board of Control and I understand promoter Scott Murray is keen to stage it at his exclusive Excelsior Sporting Club, Cannock, possibly next month. That would give 24-year-old Ollie hometown advantage.

One stumbling block may be news Cooper, unbeaten in eight, has been forced to pull out of Scott’s public show at the Premier Suite, scheduled for this Sunday, through injury.

After losing the headline bout and one of his big ticket-sellers, Scott has made the tough decision to cancel the bill. He had no other option.

Who would be a promoter!

It may mean Ollie now goes straight into the title clash – a test, respected trainer Richard Carter told me – he needs.

O’Hare is certainly itching for it. The 28-year-old scrapper from scrumpy country loves a fight.

Last month, Liam peeled off his 10th straight win, outpointing Dzmitry Atrokhau over six. But he appeared to struggle in his first pro southpaw test and took more shots than usual.

“Not my best performance,” Liam admitted. “We were working towards a game plan and that game plan was for a title fight in Ireland against a taller opponent which is now not happening.

“He (Atrokhau) was throwing punches, but he wasn’t throwing them first, which is what we’d worked on. It’s harder to grind them down if they’re not throwing.”

Liam believes he has the ability to become British champ.

“My dreams are very big. I like to keep my eyes on what could happen and train knowing the unexpected could happen at any moment,” he added.

At present, however, O’Hare only has eyes for Ollie Cooper.