HEREFORD boxer Liam O’Hare added another victory to his collection as he prepares for an assault on the Midlands title next month.

O’Hare took on Mikey Byles at Cannock’s Excelsior Sporting Club, last week in six one-sided rounds.

O’Hare, who was scheduled to fight for the vacant Midlands middleweight title on the show won handily with referee Peter McCormack scoring 60-55.

But Byles’ incredible toughness made it an entertaining spectacle. On the comeback trail after nearly seven years away from the game, the 36-year-old was rocked and rattled, but always looked to hurl punches.

O’Hare, from Hereford, is becoming a better professional with each bout. And Thursday’s tussle proved the perfect tune-up for his 10 rounder with Tom Brennan next month for the vacant Midland middleweight belt.

The pair were to have met at Scott Murray’s Excelsior Club, but injury forced Brennan to pull out. The contest now takes place in Swindon on April 13.

O’Hare, aged 27, has already claimed the Midlands super-middleweight crown in an eight fight career.

Not many boxers have a ballet background and O’Hare performed a pirouette for fans after overcoming Byles.

“He’s a weapon!” O’Hare acknowledged afterwards talking about his opponent. “I wasn’t really happy. I did what I was told to do from the first to the fourth.

“After that I didn’t stick to the game plan and, at this stage, it’s all about sticking to the game plan. I should’ve thrown more uppercuts.

“But it was the perfect tune-up for next month and I didn’t get cut. I’m still learning and tonight was a lesson.”

It was glorious mayhem from the start as O’Hare (11st 10lbs, like his opponent) found his range with jabs in the first, then delivered right hands. One heavy hook seemed to momentarily stun Byles.

The third round produced O’Hare’s best shot of the night – a right-uppercut that made Byles sag for a second.

The Hereford boxer followed-up with three big rights in succession to have his opponent under pressure and seemingly unsteady.

With the fight looking close to its conclusion Byles began the fourth on the front foot, landing a clumping left.

Marked under both eyes, he was dragging his tormentor into the trenches.

O’Hare opened up with both hands in the fifth round only to see Byles sling his own rights in the final session. When O’Hare responded, the Warwickshire warrior simply bared his black gumshield in a grin and deserved to hear the final bell.

Both can take positives from an all-action bout. O’Hare, who emerged from the contest unmarked, was given the perfect test before facing Brennan.

And that’s courtesy of Byles’ ruggedness who has now won eight and lost eight.