BIG-TIME boxing will return to Darlington for the first time in eight-and-a-half years next month when Stuart Hall fights for the vacant Commonwealth bantamweight title in the town's Dolphin Centre.

The last major show to be held in the venue ended in chaos in March 2004 when a bout between Francis Jones and Danny Moir had to be brought to an abrupt end as around 40 spectators traded blows and threw chairs and glasses.

Darlington-born Hall has always dreamed of bringing a showcase contest back to his home town, and the bout with Barnsley's Josh Wale on Friday, November 16 will be the high point of a career that has already seen the 32-year-old fight unsuccessfully for the European and Commonwealth titles.

“I'm absolutely delighted that everything's fallen into place for this to happen,” said Hall, a former roofer who boasts a professional record of 13 wins from 16 contests. “It's going to be a great night for boxing in Darlington.

“My first ever fight was in the Engineers' Club in the town, and that's still the only time I've been able to fight here. A year after that fight, I was fighting at the MEN Arena in Manchester on the under card of the Audley Harrison-David Haye fight.

“I've had some big nights in my career, but I don't think anything will compare with fighting for a title here in Darlington.

“I still get into Harrowgate Hill Club every now and then, and a lot of the older generation say they would love to see me fight but can't really travel to the places where I've fought in the past. This will give them an opportunity to see me in action and judge what I'm made of.”

Having lost to Lee Haskins in a European title fight in July, Hall confirmed his continued well being with a comfortable six-round victory over Adrian Fuzesi at Sheffield's Don Valley Stadium last month.

He has embarked on a new training regime in the second half of the summer, featuring regular sparring sessions in Leeds, and claims he is in the form of his life despite his advancing years.

“I've never felt better,” he said. “I won a six-rounder a couple of weeks ago and felt really strong and sharp. I've changed my training around and it's worked really well for me so far.

“The last fight was just to blow away the cobwebs really. It did the job, but I know I'm going to have to up it considerably for this fight and that's exactly what I intend to do.”

With Jamie McDonald having vacated the Commonwealth title, the domestic bantamweight division is in a state of flux, although Wale, nicknamed 'the Outlaw', represents strong opposition.

The Yorkshireman was knocked out by Kid Galahad as he fought for the WBC International super bantamweight title in May, and has previously drawn with Craig Lyon for the English bantamweight title and made the semi-finals of Sky Sports' Prizefighter series at super bantamweight.

“He's knocked a lot of people out and has a decent pedigree,” said Hall. “He went nine rounds with Kid Galahad for the inter-continental title and that was a decent performance.

“He's a tough lad and I'm going to give him a lot of respect. But having waited for so long to bring a fight like this to Darlington, I'm not about to let everyone down.”

 


* Tickets for the Dolphin Centre show on November 16 are priced £30, with VIP ringside table seats priced at £60. They are available from the Dolphin Centre reception or on 07824 466535.