By Ian Aldous: On Saturday June 7th, Stuart ‘Stuey’ Hall (16-2) defends his IBF world bantamweight championship against undefeated challenger, Paul ‘Baby faced assassin’ Butler (15-0) at the Metro Radio arena in Newcastle, England. The all-British clash entitled ‘Rampage’ is promoted by Dennis Hobson promotions in association with Queensberry promotions and will be broadcast live on Boxnation in the UK.
It was one of those special sporting underdog stories that saw Hall reach the top of the mountain and earn the right to be called a world champion. After claiming a British championship and a 12-0 record, he went on to suffer two defeats in three fights, a world title shot seemed unlikely to ever materialize. Fast forward seventeen months and three wins later, his chance at glory arrived in the form of a fight against Vusi Malinga for the vacant IBF bantamweight title. The incredibly durable South African hit the canvas in round three from a huge right hand. Despite a late comeback from Malinga – the unanimous decision and the title was Hall’s. The upcoming June 7th fight gives Stuart Hall the chance to truly defend his belt on home turf after the unfortunate result in his first title defence against Martin Ward. It was ruled a technical draw after an accidental head clash left the challenger, Ward, with a significantly bad cut above his right eye, causing the fight to be called off.
Hall is looking to utilize the opportunity he’s been given and maximize his revenue as champion. “I’ve won the world title now and it’s all about trying to earn as much as I can for my family.” Stuart said. He also rubbished claims that he isn’t keen on facing Butler “Of course I want to fight him – I’m not bothered about Paul Butler. He’s an easier fight than (IBF ranked no.1 challenger – Randy) Caballero.” The winner of this fight will be mandated to take on Caballero. Butler also rattled Hall when he announced that he’d gotten the better of him in sparring. “As for the spars, he was sharp and half-decent but he didn’t bother me one bit. And I felt, when I put it on him, a bit sorry for him. A spar’s a spar. Martin Ward sparred me and he thought he was going to deal with me, but he realized how hard I hit with 8oz gloves on, and if it hadn’t been for the head clash, I’d have stopped him within four rounds. I just cannot wait for this fight.”
Interestingly, Butler has responded to those comments and was less than complimentary. “I know that I’ve got to him already, I’ve got Hall’s number and he knows it. He says I talk a lot, but I’m only saying the truth. I handled him two years ago when we sparred, now I’m two years more experienced, smarter, stronger and quicker. Back then I even went out of my orthodox stance and sparred him southpaw to help him for his fight against Haskins and I still got the better of him.” Butler oozes confidence going into June 7th.
This fight is part two in the sizzling summer of huge domestic fights in Britain that have ramifications on the world stage. Just one week prior to Hall Vs. Butler, Carl Froch and George Groves will battle for the IBF and WBA world super-middleweight titles, then in July, Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora go head-to-head for a shot at unified world heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko. The Hall/Butler clash will be fought at a much lighter weight than these bouts but is just as significant on these shores.
Butler, from Ellesmere point, Merseyside, is rightly viewed as a credible and undefeated challenger for the belt. He’s accrued fifteen wins in his pro career with eight wins by stoppage. The fact he’s fought most of his career at super-flyweight shows his KO percentage to be very respectful. Butler moved up to 118lbs in his last fight, a fourth round KO win over Oreste Bernabe Nieva (15-2-2). He’s gained a lot of priceless experience against international fighters at the tender age of just twenty-five years old. Boxrec recognizes just fifteen British fighters at super-flyweight, illustrating the difficulty of finding domestic opponents which obviously led to a search overseas and resulted in Butler becoming a seasoned pro at a young age.
It’s rare that you’ll see Stuart Hall in a dull fight and I’m of the belief that now he’s reached these heights – it’ll bring the very best out of him. Expect Paul to cause problems with his youth and speed – expect the tough and durable Hall to give everything he’s got to retain his belt – expect fireworks on June 7th.
Chief support on the undercard will see an exciting double-title fight between two cruiserweight bruisers. British champion, Jon-Lewis Dickinson (15-2) will face Commonwealth champion, Ovill McKenzie (22-12) with both belts up-for-grabs. Also featuring on the show will be 2008 Olympian, Bradley Saunders (9-0).
Tickets are priced at £40, £60, £75, £150, VIP £200 and are available via Box Office 0844 493 6666 (VIP packages 0114 243 4443) or at www.dennishobson.com
The event will be broadcast live on Boxnation in the UK (Sky channel 437). For more information and to subscribe, visit www.boxnation.com
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