Haskins vs. Hall is Likely For Brook-Vargas or Golovkin-Eubank

By Elliot Foster

Lee Haskins’ next fight is closer to being announced after the conclusion of a purse bid hearing.

The IBF bantamweight world champion must make a mandatory defence of his title against number one contender Stuart Hall, who won a final eliminator last time out, on or before August 14.

Haskins, who was handed the belt by default last November after his opponent Randy Caballero failed to make weight for their showdown in Las Vegas, made a successful first defence of the red and gold prize last month, exclusively live on Channel 5, as he went the distance with Mexico’s Ivan Morales before taking the fight on all three judges’ scorecards at ringside at the Ice Arena in Cardiff.

And now the 32-year-old (33-3, 14 KOs) must face former foe Hall (20-4-2, 7 KOs), 36, as ordered by the IBF.

Hall, who beat Rodrigo Guerrero on the cards on April 16 in Leeds to land the number one position, is a former custodian of Haskins’ belt and will be looking to win it for the second time when he faces the Bristolian who already holds a victory over him in a European title fight in 2012.

The promoter of ‘Stuey’, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, announced via social media that the purse bid hearing was over and that he had got the upper hand over TGB Promotions.

The winning bid was $201,999, which easily beat Tom Brown’s offer of $85,000.

Haskins, as champion, is entitled to 75 per cent of the winning bid ($151,499) while Hall will receive the remaining 25 per cent ($50,500).

Boxing Scene understands that Hearn will look to place the fight on an undercard, rather than have it top the bill at a standalone show, with the Gennady Golovkin-Chris Eubank Jr. clash –– which is in the final stages of negotiations for a September date at London’s O2 Arena –– or IBF champion Kell Brook’s welterweight world title unification showdown against WBO titlist Jessie Vargas at Bramall Lane, which has yet to have a date attached to it, being the preferred options.