Liam O’Hare has made the decision that boxing is the only career for him after giving up his day job to concentrate on the pro game.
He’s back in action when BCB Promotions return to the Eastside Rooms, on Woodcock Street in Birmingham, with a Sunday afternoon showdown set for June 26.
It’s two days removed from when O’Hare left his post as a trainee accountant, with aspirations of becoming a personal trainer to supplement his sporting aspirations.
The 25-year-old, from Hereford, is not afraid to try new things, first coming to Birmingham as a teenager to learn dance as a student at Elmhurst Ballet School.
He started fighting nine years ago and embarked upon an amateur career with Lydney Boxing Club, which included a run to the semi-finals of the England Junior Championships.
O’Hare turned pro, last December, after coming under the tutelage of Tony Chadwick, who has been in the corner for both of his paid bouts so far.
His debut saw him outpoint the ultra-experienced Kevin McCauley, claiming all four of the rounds to earn a 40-36 scoreline, at the final bell.
The same verdict came his way upon his ring return in February, after he took a short-notice date against Josh Hodgins, but operated at a slower pace to get the job done.
Sparring since then has included rounds with Lloyd Germain, the reigning Welsh area champion in the welterweight division, and his diary has now become much clearer.
O’Hare said: “I can forgive myself for failing at boxing, but I couldn’t forgive myself for not giving it 100 per cent, so I handed in my notice and I’m looking for something part-time.
“I don’t think that accountancy is my calling, I’m focussing more on boxing. I’m doing an online course in personal training, though, and something might come of that.
“I’m feeling great, I’ve had a longer lead-up to this one. Normally I’d have a six-week camp, but my last one was more like three, due to me getting the date at late notice.
“I’ve had decent sparring, both at our gym and in Newport, there are some good lads down at St Joseph’s, so it was worth the trip. It’s all experience.
“I’m staying at middleweight, for the time being, but I was closer to super welter (153lbs) when I made my debut. It was right down near the bottom of the middleweight limit.
“I came in heavier, the second time around. I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare, but I still made it. I’ve got a good metabolism, so I can shed weight rapidly.
“When I put my mind to something, I just do it. I cut my food portions down and train like a madman! I still eat well and stay healthy, but I should have more energy this time.
“I wasn’t disappointed with my performance (against Josh Hodgins). I used my boxing skills and moved well, but I could have done with another gear and more power in my shots.
“I had to crash a lot of weight quickly, obviously, and maybe I sacrificed some of what I can do in there. If I’d come out straight out of the blocks, I’d have been blowing by the end.
“I did that on my debut, but the fitness was there and it will be again now. It’s about blending the things I do well together and I want to impress.”
Tickets for the Eastside Rooms bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
