Stuart Hall claims his physical and mental strength will be the decisive factors when he defends the IBF bantamweight title for the first time against North-east rival Martin Ward on Saturday night.
Darlington’s Hall showed thudding power and an unflinching will to win when he captured the vacant title in Leeds last December, coming through 12 hellacious rounds to beat South African southpaw Vusi Malinga on unanimous points.
And the former roofer insists West Rainton left hander Ward will be unable to find an answer for those weapons when they exchange blows with his belt and regional bragging rights up for grabs this weekend at Newcastle Arena.
“The Malinga fight showed me I’ve got even more toughness than I thought I had,” 34-year-old Hall said.
“I had about five little voices talking inside my head at the same time after the sixth round, and they were all saying different things.
“But I showed I’ve got world class power when I dropped Malinga in the third round.
“And I know I’ve got a head like a silverback gorilla. I took some big shots but they just bounced off me.
“You have got to take yourself through deep waters, and I came through them that night.
“I don’t know if Martin Ward can do that. He is a talented and tricky boxer, but I’m a steam engine and don’t stop.
“He hasn’t proved he can do it at this level - I have.
“I’m world champion, and I’m staying world champion.”
Hall is going into the contest as a heavy favourite as only four of Commonwealth champion Ward’s 18 wins have come inside the distance, while his two defeats arrived by stoppage.
But he insists he is not being over-confident for the BoxNation-televised clash.
“Complacency won’t come into it,” said Hall, who has 16 wins, seven by knockout, and two points defeats and a draw.
“He is sharp and he is a dangerous and hungry fighter.
“He will have trained hard because I know what it’s like to challenge for a world title.
“But I’m not complacent at all. I’ve stepped up a level if anything.
“My mind will be sound on the night and I’m just excited.
“I can’t wait to get in the ring and show Martin Ward he is not going to beat me at all.”
Traveller Ward, 26, has said he could not have prepared better for his chance to break into the big time after sparring WBA No 10 ranked super bantamweight Tshifhiwa Munyai, even claiming that the South African is levels above Hall.
By contrast, Hall’s sparring against amateur prospect Jack Daniel and rookie professionals Samson Sykes and Jamie Sampson has been somewhat more low key.
But the defending champion said his sparring partners fitted the bill perfectly in terms of Ward’s counter-punching style, and he is is pleased that Ward is coming into the fight so well conditioned and assured.
“Martin Ward has been going on about how good his sparring has been with Munyai,” Hall said.
“He even said he is better than me. If he is, why hasn’t he won a world title?
“People go on about him beating Lee Haskins, but how long ago was that? I think I was about 12.
“He could have been sparring Floyd Mayweather for all I care, but I’m glad he is so confident.”
He added: “I want the best Martin Ward to show up on the night, like I wanted the best Vusi Malinga when I won the title.
“Because when I beat him, what can he say?”
I still expect to be world champion’s trainer after the fight
Stuart Hall’s trainer Michael Marsden talks up the champion’s chances of defending his world title:
“IT is a bit of an awkward fight with us all knowing each other inside out.
“But I’m glad I’m coming out of our corner. I just think Stuey is too experienced and too strong for Martin Ward.
“Stuey is a very strong, game fighter who has world class power.
“He proved that when he dropped Vusi Malinga in the third round on
the way to winning the title.
“We are not underestimating Martin Ward.
“He has got very good, technical boxing ability and we respect him.
“This is a potential banana skin, and a very twitchy fight.
“Some people are predicting a stoppage win because of Stuey’s strength.
“But nobody can predict a stoppage when you are boxing a kid with feet as good as Martin Ward.
“We aren’t focusing on anything like that. We are just going from round one and being as professional as we can.
“There is local pride at stake, as well as a world title, and Stuey has just got to do his job on what is a massive night for the North-east.
“Martin Ward is a very credible opponent after Stuey’s mammoth last fight.
“He is ranked No 15 in the world, so he is a genuine world title challenger and it has made massive sense to match them.
“Two North-east lads fighting for a world title has made it into an arena show.
“But I’m still expecting to be a world champion trainer at the end of the night.”
Pal Stuey deserves respect for title victory
MARTIN Ward’s trainer Neil Fannan from Hartlepool gave the Gazette his thoughts on Saturday’s big fight:
“We are obviously paying Stuey Hall all the respect in the world.
“He deserves it after his last performance, because it was awesome.
“If any critics were wondering how he got a world title fight, he pushed it in their face at the end.
“I was over the moon for him because Stuey and his trainer Mick Marsden are both my mates.
“I’ve cornered him loads of times, and Mick has cornered Martin on numerous occasions.
“So it’s a pretty unique world title fight in that respect. But it’s strictly business for us all on Saturday night.
“This fight is a step up for Martin really, although he has served his apprenticeship.
“We are going in as the underdog, but it’s a nice position to be in because we have got nothing to lose.
“But I do believe Martin Ward has another gear.
“All being well, he will get chance to show that.
“It’s a total clash of styles, and whoever gets it right on the night will win.
“I’m expecting Stuey to try and walk through Martin.
“Maybe justifiably, Stuey thinks he has mixed in good class and Martin won’t have the tools to keep him off.
“Martin is a nice little boxer and an awkward southpaw.
“I’m expecting a really good, entertaining fight.
“Martin knows he is the challenger, and it’s a boyhood dream to win a world title.
“Now he has got the chance and he is going to try and take it.”
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