O’Hara’s Burn-ing desire

Ricky Burn’s world title success has inspired Kevin O’Hara to a ring return he hopes will lead to an Irish title.

Sweet Pea hasn’t fought since May of last year but is hoping to return to action in Belfast before the year is out and he claims the Scott’s WBO super featherweight title winning ways have given him the belief he can mix it at domestic level.

The Belfast fighter pushed Burn’s very close in a Commonwealth title fight back in 2009. Indeed many fight fans believed if the fight was held in Belfast O’Hara may have got the decision.

Regardless of the result Burns, who faces Michael Katsidis for the WBO interim lightweight title on Saturday, recent form has given Sweet Pea a boost rather than leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

The 29 year old is plotting an assault on the Irish title and claims he will use it as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

“I bullied Burns in that fight and he did not want to know. He won the fight on points, but if the fight had been in Belfast, I would have got the decision. He has gone on to be a World Champion, who they are all talking about, but Sky Sports Jim Watt, who is also Scottish, had me ahead going into the last round. I lost that fight, but I take confidence from the fact that I really troubled a World Champion,” O’Hara told the Newsletter.

O’Hara had a memorable domestic clash with Eddie Hyland but failed to buckle the green belt around his waist and it wants another shot at the super featherweight crown.

The former Willie Limond and Choi opponent wants to fight Mickey Coveney for the strap, but claims the English based figher is avoiding him.

“I want to win a title and the Irish belt is the one I have my eye on. Mickey Coveney holds that title and I have beaten him before at the Odyssey. He is avoiding me, but he can only do that for so long.  When I win that title, it will open the door to bigger and better fights down the line.”