THAT trademark beaming smile was back on the face of Liam O’Hare following a disciplined, morale-boosting win over king of the journeyman Jordan Grannum.
On a packed Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport bill, he eased back after losing his Midlands super-middleweight title – and unblemished record – with a four round win which revealed added maturity.
He boxed tidily on Sunday and can be pleased with his afternoon’s work.
Looking fit and trim at middleweight, the likeable Hereford fighter showed a nice jab and good his shape.
There were times when the desire for a tear-up threatened to surface, but O’Hare kept the beast at bay.
And he had to stay disciplined against Islington’s Grannum, taking part in his 169th contest. The 32-year-old showed why he is possibly the best “have gloves will travel” operators in the business.
It takes a lot to ruffle the man’s feathers. In the fourth, O’Hare’s corner shouted: “He’s tired.”
“No I’m not,” Grannum shouted back before getting back down to work.
He gave O’Hare – having his first fight since being stopped by Ollie Cooper for the Midlands belt – plenty to think about. He even wobbled the 28-year-old Eastside gym boxer.
In one “double take” moment that had this writer questioning what I’d witnessed, Liam’s legs lurched uncontrollably in the second, they definitely went for fleeting seconds after a fairly tame exchange.
Had he merely slipped? Ringside observers later confirmed what I’d seen – O’Hare had walked into a lead left.
Grannum (11st 8lbs) did not capitalise on the moment and Liam was composed and firing back within the blink of an eye.
The Londoner began the contest by circling the ring and popping out jabs, while relaxed O’Hare (11st 7lbs) fired solid jabs and rights to the body.
By the second, O’Hare was doubling the left lead and upping the pace. He looked to work inside in the third, bringing up uppercuts and hooking to the head.
Throughout the attacks, Grannum tucked up and hit back sporadically. The visitor left the best until last, electing to trade with O’Hare and having some success with uppercuts and hooks of his own.
The last round was probably the one he took on referee Pete McCormack’s 39-37.
O’Hare seemed well pleased with his performance at the finish – and should be. He showed a new side to his game against a man capable of pulling off the odd upset.
Grannum’s assessment of the man who beat him?
“He’s a strong lad,” he said. “Good engine, but I’ve been hit harder.”
Grannum has faced some very hard hitters in his long career. Only three have hit hard enough to prevent him hearing the final bell.
