Stuart Hall v Martin Power
It’s not every day you go from being a two-year newcomer to a sport, to British champion, but it happened for Stuart Hall.
The British bantamweight title holder won his belt amid strange circumstances after Ian Napa served it up on a plate with surprising and perhaps unnecessary ninth-round retirement in June.
Not one to rest on his laurels a mere seven weeks later “Stuey” is putting the belt back on the line when takes on Martin Power tonight in Tyne and Wear.
Power is not unfamiliar with the situation Halls finds himself in. He had a similar experience having defended a British title against Ian Napa back in 2005. “Too Much” vacated the belt to chase Commonwealth dreams but instead proceeded to suffer a disastrous run of form, losing five of his next seven fights having previously been unbeaten. Within that run was a revenge defeat against “Dappa Napa” for the Lonsdale belt in 2007, while last September he was defeated by tonight’s opponent Hall with an eighth-round TKO.
In their previous meeting the heavily unfavoured Hall put on a workmanlike performance and proved too gritty for Power. Too Much just hasn’t looked the same boxer since his defeat to Tshifhiwa Munyai and needs to recapture some of that old determination to get through tough fights. Word is circulating that Power has been in hardcore preparations in deepest, darkest Finland for this as it becomes make-or-break time for the Londoner.
His last fight came in December and there were flashes of vintage Power as he destroyed Matthew Edmonds in under five rounds.
Hall has so far shown himself to be a determined, tough boxer. A late comer to the sport at 28 he has done exceptionally well to reach this level already. Although he can count himself very lucky to be holding a title, Napa had worked his way back into the fight after a sketchy start and looked set to win before quitting on his stool unexpectedly.
That’s to take nothing away from Stuey, he has shown the guts to step in with some decent boxers so early in his career, and top-level fighters should take note of such determination and ambition. He has proved himself to be a highly durable fighter who will scrap more than box and is certainly an awkward customer.
As for Power, every time he steps into the ring it is exciting match-up. He is a real crowd pleaser and his style should contrast nicely with Hall’s who will try and take the fight to Power as the Londoner stays on the outside and the duo could end up going toe-to-toe.
Hall will need to more than strength if he wants to beat Power, he relishes being the underdog but this time he’s headlining.
Predictions: Martin Power ninth – 12th round KO
This is a career-maker or ender for Power. Defeat here and he may as well call it a day. Yet he has been working hard towards this fight and if he can weather an early storm and show the same form he did against Edmonds then there is every chance that he can out-box Hall with his superior technique.
Hall has made a career out of defying critics and will be looking to do that once again. He has height advantage and will try to engage Power. There is every chance of a repeat of the duo’s previous fights, but Power has the superior ability to take this by picking off the champion and should come through with experience and added focus.
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