Ollie title shot looks set be on home soil

Ollie Cooper...dream pairing with fellow prospect Liam O'Hare

OLLIE Cooper, the tall southpaw blessed with textbook skills, has landed a title chance after eight unbeaten bouts.

And it is an absolute barnstormer, a five star battle. Cooper has been nominated by the Midlands Board to challenge their area super-middle champ Liam O’Hare, the Hereford hope who has peeled-off 10 straight victories.

It’s a small hall dream pairing, a match between two men on the “up”. To coin a well worn boxing phrase, “somebody’s O has got to go.”

Cooper has impressed, but I know there’s a lot more in the tank. He’s yet to score a stoppage.

O’Hare, who fights out of Birmingham’s Eastside gym, is hitting with new found punching power. He’s improving with each contest.

The battle looks set to take place in Ollie’s hometown of Cannock, I can reveal.

If his manager Errol Johnson gives the go-ahead, he’ll face O’Hare on promoter Scott Murray’s November 28 Excelsior Sporting Club show.

For 24-year-old Cooper, it means abandoning the middleweight division where he has served his ring apprenticeship. I’m not surprised: I’ve always pondered how Cooper, who stands 6ft 4ins, squeezed his frame into the 11-and-a-half stone division.

The opportunity has come at exactly the right time, said his trainer Richie Carter. It is a bout that can bring the best out of the prospect.

“Ollie could’ve stopped every opponent he fought,” said Carter. “It frustrates me a bit because I know he can do it. When he steps on the gas, when he’s switched on, he’s very sharp and accurate when he hits you.

“When it’s easy for him, he’s happy to box people’s heads off. 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.

“I’ve always said, when they come and trade and have a go, that will bring out the best in Ollie. Once he’s pushed into a dog fight, you’ll see the dog come out in him.

“Ollie has a lot of talent, he’s the most skilful lad in our gym. When he has his head on, he’s capable of beating most super-middles.”

Cooper is yet to go beyond six rounds and last fought in April when he outpointed Mikey Byles.

It is now time to step up to the plate. But Carter hasn’t ruled out a return to the middleweight division.

“He can still do middle,” he insisted. “He’s walking around at 12st 3lbs, 12st 4lbs, he’s slender. It’s just that this opportunity has come up.”

And Ollie intends to grasp it in both fists.