O’Hare-Cooper tops super Cannock night

Ollie Cooper...takes the step-up his trainer says he needs

IT’S on! The Midlands super-middleweight title showdown between unbeaten champ Liam O’Hare and unbeaten challenger Ollie Cooper has been confirmed.

It will take place in Ollie’s hometown of Cannock on the Excelsior Sporting Club’s November 28 annual St Andrew’s night show.

And that looks an absolute cracker, with Stourbirdge’s multiple titleholder Sam Eggington also on the bill.

It seems increasingly likely Sam’s six rounder will be a warm-up before he bids to regain the IBO world title in Canada.

Liam O'Hare...."it will make for a great, enjoyable fight, a hard fight"

Promoter Scott Murray said of next month’s five fight card: “It’s definitely the best one we’ve put on and probably the best sporting club show for years.”

I’ve already written plenty about the mouth-watering clash between Hereford’s O’Hare and southpaw Cooper.

Quite simply, it’s a potential barnstormer, a true 50-50 encounter. As Murray put it: “It’s a cracking fight, it’s really hard to call.”

Ollie’s trainer Richard Carter said: “Liam O’Hare is a good, game opponent and he’ll bring the best out of Ollie. He’s a good kid who will come to put pressure on and that will bring out the best in Ollie Cooper.  Once he’s pushed into a dog fight, you’ll see the dog come out in him.”

Liam 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.”

Sam Eggington with manager Jon Pegg...title fight beckons

Eggington, the country’s top crowd-pleaser, needs a win to secure a bout with Canadia banger Sukhdeep King Bhatti for the vacant IBO belt.

Unbeaten Cannock light-middle Zach Evans is also back at the Excelsior next month. “He’ll be in a good six rounder,” said Scott, “then the plan is to get him a title fight, either at Midlands or English level, early next year.”

Also on the bill is red-hot prospect Shabir Haidary who is unbeaten in nine. The junior-lightweight, from Afghanistan but based in Gloucester, is cobra quick and carries venom in both fists.

Zach Evans...light-middle on a mission. Pic: MSN Images/BCB 

There’ll also be a mystery boxer at the Excelsior. Middle Jamies Hughes, unbeaten in two, is travelling from his home city of Ontario to box in Cannock.

Scott met the 24-year-old when his sons, both fine amateurs, boxed in St Catharines, in Canada’s Niagara region.

He offered Jamie the chance to fight on one of his shows – and the lad grasped it with both hands.

Scott added: “His family are Scottish, so that makes him perfect for a St Andrew’s Night show.”