Hall title shot confirmed

Last Updated: October 29, 2013 4:46pm

Stuart Hall: Handed a first world title shot at 33Darlington’s Stuart Hall will take on Vusi Malinga for the vacant IBF bantamweight title in Leeds on December 21.

The belt became available when the IBF stripped Jamie McDonnell recently for not agreeing to defend the title within the allotted time.

Promoter Dennis Hobson, with whom McDonnell is engaged in an ongoing contractual dispute, moved quickly to secure Hall – another of his fighters – a shot at the newly-available gong.

Hall, who lost narrowly to McDonnell two years ago, moved up to No 3 in the IBF rankings after defeating Sergio Perales on points on the undercard of his fellow Brit’s successful shot at the title in Doncaster in May.

In South African Malinga he faces a challenger who fought Leo Santa Cruz for the same belt last year, going down to a landslide points loss.

“This has come at the perfect time for me and I’m going to grab the opportunity with both hands,” said the 33-year-old Hall, who secured the Lonsdale belt outright prior to his defeat to McDonnell.

“I had to learn the sport in 12-round title fights, I learned more off my two losses than if I’d won them. I’ve changed a lot in my training and I’m ready for this world title fight.”

The First Direct Arena in Leeds will be hosting its first title fight and it is thought that around 10,000 seats will be available.

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Hall title shot confirmed