Coatbridge boxer Ricky Burn successfully defended his Commonwealth super-featherweight title with a points victory over tough Irishman Kevin O’Hara.

Burns, 26-2, at no point looked in control of the fight as the hungrier boxer, ‘Sweat Pea’ O’Hara, took the fight to him.

Burns’ height advantage was an indicator of how he would approach the fight, but O’Hara was able to get in close on occasion and his aggressive over hand rights and lunging left hooks were ever-threatening.

The smaller Irishman was not content to be kept at a distance, although Burns was able to use his sharp jab to do so before unleashing quick combinations when the openings presented themselves.

However, if Burns thought he would be able to contain his opponent in the same way he did Michael Gomez in his previous outing he soon realised he was mistaken.

O’Hara’s wild swings were able to get through the champion’s defence, notably his left hook in the fourth round. The same round also saw the Irishman sent to the canvas, but the referee correctly ruled it a slip.

Burns seemed to change his approach in the fifth and was more willing to fight on the inside, regularly clinching with the resilient O’Hara who landed several uppercuts as the pair went toe-to-toe briefly.

A slow-down in pace from the tattooed warrior allowed O’Hara to bring the fight to Burns with flourishes of successful punches demonstrating the hunger of the Irishman.

O’Hara received a one point deduction in the ninth for a head butt in a round he was winning convincingly, making it an even round.

After suffering a low-blow in the 11th, Burns looked hurt as O’Hara continued to press, looking for a knockout.

Burns won the fight by unanimous decision, but admitted it was more difficult than expected.

“He was being quite dirty and using his head.

“I was expecting a hard fight but it was a little tougher than I expected,” he admitted.