Victory, but O’Hare’s left frustrated after injury ends his battle

Liam O’Hare…old school boxer who wants to be in tough fights

THE flames of a sizzling encounter were doused before they leapt to full height when injury ended Grant Dennis’ battle with Liam O’Hare.

There was, however, plenty of action to satisfy fans at Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn on Saturday before a damaged right hand ended matters after two rounds.

Both had been stung by big shots in the first, then former Midlands champ O’Hare changed from puncher to purist in the second, giving a fine exhibition of points-picking on the back foot.

“People were saying afterwards that was the best they’d seen Liam box,” said promoter Jon Pegg.

Strangely, the hand appeared to “go” after Chatham’s Dennis (11st 13lbs) delivered a body shot. He winced as soon as it landed and shook the fist, as if trying to dislodge pain, for the remainder of the session.

“I felt the shot and thought, ‘good thing I did all that core work,” O’Hare (11st 7lbs) laughed.

O’Hare was a Jekyll and Hyde performer on the night – the one in the first round was very different to the one in the second.

“We’ve been working on not rushing in and it’s been paying off in sparring really well,” said the Hereford 28-year-old who fights out of Pegg’s Eastside gym in Birmingham. “The first round, the nerves and pressure got me fired up.

“Jon said, ‘sort it out and relax’ and I started the second on my back foot and the opportunities presented themselves.

“It was a little frustrating it ended how it did end. In the second I was going through the gears and I felt in the third round I would’ve shown what I’ve been working on in the gym. It’s a shame.”

I like O’Hare, an amiable, even jolly, individual away from the ring. I like his attitude – he doesn’t want gimmes, he wants to be remembered for tough, entertaining scraps.

Dennis was a decent test. He may have gone into the contest with 12 wins in 31 bouts, but he’s been matched tough, registered upset victories and carries a very decent dig.

“I love everything about boxing,” O’Hare – only beaten once in 13 bouts, added. “I love hard, tough fights and that’s what I want. I want to be in entertaining fights that put smiles on people’s faces. Get back to the old grass roots fights.

“That’s what I want. If titles come along the way, that’s fantastic.”

At present, it’s not a fight date that is at the forefront of Liam’s mind. Next month he becomes a dad for the first time.