By Danny Winterbottom

BoxingScene today exclusively revealed that the International Boxing Federation (IBF) had granted permission for their bantamweight champion Stuart Hall to 16-2 (7) to make a second voluntary defence of his title against Ellesmere Port’s unbeaten Paul Butler 15-0 (8) in Newcastle on June 7. See article here: https://www.boxingscene.com/hall-butler-title-clash-gets-green-light-from-ibf--77836

The IBF board had initially opposed the sanctioning of the contest, stating that Darlington’s Hall, who claimed the vacant belt with a hard fought points win over South African Vusi Malinga last December and defended it in against North East rival Martin Ward in March, must face unbeaten American Randy Caballero in 90 days.

However, the IBF public relations director Jeanette Salazar told BoxingScene that Golden Boy Promotions, who represent Caballero, did not oppose a fight between the two Brits as long as the winner faces the American youngster next.

Great news for both fighters and fans alike as the contest promises to be explosive.

“I knew deep down that the fight would still go ahead” the champion told BoxingScene this evening

“I spoke to (manager) Mick [Marsden] and (promoter) Dennis [Hobson] as soon as I saw the reports saying that the fight was off.  They told me not to worry and that it would definitely happen.”

When news of the fights premature demise broke, Twitter users were quick to question the wisdom of Dennis Hobson and Francis Warren’s decision to hold a press conference announcing the contest before the IBF had confirmed that they would allow 34 year old Hall to make a second voluntary defence.

But now this final hurdle has been negotiated Hall is super confident that he will become the first fighter to blemish the professional record of the talented former British, Commonwealth and WBO Inter-continental champion at 115lbs and in turn keep a firm grasp on the championship belt he has worked long and hard to own.

“Once Dennis confirmed it was on I could relax” said Hall

“I want everybody to know that Stuart Hall is absolutely buzzing that the fight is still on because I’m gonna smash Butler to bits!”