‘Baby Bull’ targets big breakthrough

MATTHEW Hall, the 23-year-old Collyhurst and Moston Boxing Academy prospect, will bid to land the English light-middleweight championship at the Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, on Friday week.

It is the Middleton boxer’s chance to make the big breakthrough into the higher echelons of boxing and he has been training diligently in his attempt to bring back the title to his home town.

But he faces a daunting task against 6ft 2in champion Andrew Facey of Sheffield.

Hall’s stablemate, Thomas McDonagh, challenged the lanky champion for his title in July, but had to settle for a draw.

But Hall, nicknamed El Torito (baby bull) because of his exciting all-action style, is determined to go one better than McDonagh.

“It’s going to be difficult,” said Hall. “Facey is such a big, awkward fighter.

“He is trained by the Ingle family, who specialise in this kind of boxing.

“He is what is known as a ‘switch hitter,’ but I have been sparring with three tall fighters and feel I have learned a great deal. I feel quite relaxed and quietly confident.”

Chief coach Brian Hughes believes Hall will show the public what he really can do.

“Matthew has been devastating in his last three or four contests,” said Hughes.

“The television pundits have been raving about his body-punching and fearsome ‘will to win’ attitude.

“Over the past three years the lad has suffered with a chest complaint and various injuries, but he has been fitter and healthier over the past few months and is now showing the ability he has had along.

“Yes, it will be like climbing Mount Everest when he faces the tall Facey, but we are very confident that with his punching power and his army of fans behind him he will come through and go on to bigger achievements.”

Tickets for the bout are available by ringing 0759 553852