Hall British champion in just his ninth fight

Stuart Hall new British champion

Stuart Hall claimed the British bantamweight title in just his ninth professional fight with a shock victory over Ian Napa in Peterlee.

The Darlington boxer, who is a roofer by day, secured the domestic belt when his opponent had to retire after the eighth round of the contest.

At that stage it seemed like there was little to split the pair, Hall having made a brighter start as he used his reach advantage to great effect.

However “Dappa Napa, who was on the wrong end of a controversial decision against Jamie McDonnell last time out, began to get on top once he found a way to get inside his rival’s lunging jab.

In the eighth he made a concerted effort to try and dent Hall’s defences, winding up some big shots having previously focused on the body.

The big push turned out to be his last hurrah, though, as Napa revealed afterwards that he had felt dizzy after problems making the weight.

“It was too hot … the weight’s been killing me,” he told Sky Sports. “I tried my best but the weight was really hard.

When asked about his future after suffering a ninth loss in 28 fights, the Londoner added: “I don’t know what to say right now – I’m a bit upset. I’m just sorry to all my fans out there.”

In contrast Hall will now be hoping for bigger and better things having previously beaten only three fighters with winning records.

“It’s unbelievable, a dream come true,” admitted the new British champion. “I would have liked to have gone the distance, however, and I feel sorry for Ian.

“I thought I was edging it but it was a four-round fight in the end. I thought I’d have to dig deep to win it, but obviously I got it.”

Tony Jeffries

Meanwhile on the undercard, Tony Jeffries clinched a seventh straight victory with a second-round stoppage of Matt Hainy.

The 25-year-old from Sunderland had his opponent on the canvas twice in the opening round before another knockdown in the second from a cracking body shot led to Hainy’s corner throwing in the towel.

Undercard results

Tony Jeffries (7-0) vs. Matt Hainy (6-2)

Jeffries Scored a second-round stoppage of Hainy

John Watson (13-0) vs. Ben Lawler (6-5)

Watson won a fifth round TKO against Lawler

George Watson (8-1-1) vs. Temao Dwyer (2-1-1)

Watson beat Dwyer on points 57-56. Watson was floored in the final round and out boxed for the whole fight. Definitely one of the biggest robberies of the year.

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