As previously reported, Stuart Hall won the vacant IBF world bantamweight title after recording a unanimous decision victory over Vusi Malinga in Leeds. The 33-yard-old from Darlington dominated his South African opponent at the start of the contest and scored a knockdown in the third round before having to survive some heavy shots in the latter part of the fight. His left eye swollen completely shut through the final four rounds, Hall took the bout 116-111 and 117-110 twice on the three judges' cards after a thrilling, action-packed war.
In sealing his historic triumph the 33-year-old became the first north-east boxer to win a recognised version of a world title since Glenn McCrory won the IBF cruiserweight title in Durham in 1989.
Hall said: "It feels unbelievable. I knocked him down but he came back at me. They're so much tougher at this level. I couldn't see anything out of my left eye for the final few rounds but I kept my focus and I always knew I was in front."
