LYDNEY boxer Liam O’Hare has reached the semi-finals of a national competition.

O’Hare will face England representative Lewis Richardson in the final four after a great performance against Welsh champion Joshua Atiko of Splott BC.

O’Hare was in control at the start of the first round keeping his opponent under pressure. Atiko went on the back foot trying to score with his jab but was unable to due to the movement of O’Hare’s head.

O’Hare was slipping the shots then countering with his back hand, before scoring with powerful body shots.

In the second round he caught Atiko with a good right hand and the referee jumped in to give him a count.

It was just a matter of seconds before O’Hare unleashed heavy body shots and the referee waved it off in the second round as Atiko was not responding back with punches.

Former ballet dancer O’Hare will take on Richardson at Whitchurch Leisure Centre in Bristol for a place in the national final at Newcastle.

“Its going to be a tough contest for Liam,” said Lydney BC coach Bryan Higgs.

“Liam has trained really hard and we have to keep him at peak level, as this will be his forth contest in four weeks.”