O’Hare prepares for biggest career fight

Liam O’Hare…fights Felix Cash on supershow at Spurs’ ground

LIAM O’Hare, the fighter who switched base from cider country to the Second City, is preparing for the biggest fight of his life on the biggest stage of his life.

On April 11, Hereford’s former Midlands super-middleweight champ appears on the undercard of the Tyson Fury v Arslanbek Makhmudov clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

From the beginning, O’Hare has stressed he wants to be in real, tough, fan-friendly fights. The 29-year-old’s certainly bagged one.

In the opposite corner for the eight rounder will be former British and Commonwealth middleweight champ Felix Cash. It will be the Surrey boxer’s first outing for close to two years: the 32-year-old hasn’t fought since European champ Tyler Denny stopped him in five. That bout was halted because of cuts, but Denny was having the better of exchanges.

O’Hare, part of Birmingham’s Eastside gym, stressed his title future lies at light-middle (11st). This opportunity was simply too good to miss.

And he’s not taking it just for a payday. “He (Cash) has had success in the past,” Liam said. “I do think I have the skillset required to beat him. It’s a 50-50 contest against someone on a comeback.”

That assessment won’t be reflected by the bookies’ odds. Liam will be a significant underdog.

The show is being broadcast live on Netflix and those tuning will be intrigued and entertained by O’Hare’s back-story. He’s a former ballet dancer who earns a crust away from the ring by baking and selling cakes.

He may well pirouette during his ring walk – Liam’s done it before – and wear a toque blanche. That’s chef’s hat in English.

O’Hare’s coming off a one round loss in a November last-man-standing knockout tournament. That, however, was up at super-middle (12st) and taken at short notice.

His only other setback in a 15 bout career also came by stoppage. Ollie Cooper took his Midlands title in six.

Cash, from travelling stock, has only been beaten once – by Denny – in 17 contests.

“I don’t feel nervous, I feel quite calm,” Liam said. “Maybe the nerves will come as it gets closer. I’ve had a bit of a look at him, he starts very strongly. The name of the game is to get through the first three rounds then let my engine take over.

“He’s a class lad, a good lad and I see it as an opportunity that can’t be turned down. I’m looking forward to it. If fights like this come up I’ll always take them. It’ll be interesting to know what energy Felix Cash is going to bring to it. He had plenty to say before the Tyler Denny fight. That isn’t really me, I’m not interested in the trash talk, but it is what it is. We’ll see.”

For the boxing baker, beating Cash is far from a piece of cake, but he’s working on a recipe for success.