Stuart Hall has said he is prepared to go through hell in order to reign victorious in his hunt for world title glory this weekend.
Hall makes his bid for the vacant IBF crown against the seasoned South African Vusi Malinga on Saturday night at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
The British bantamweight champion is looking to end the year on a high for British boxing, and has admitted that he will do whatever is necessary to make sure he achieves a lifelong ambition by winning the illustrious IBF world title.
“I can’t believe that the time is near at hand,” admitted Hall. “I’ve been working and preparing for this opportunity for so long and to get the chance of getting my hands on a world title is a dream come true. I’m ready for this fight and whatever it takes, even if it means going through hell and back, then I’m willing to do that. I have everything in my favor and feel this is my time now, I want to go out there and do myself and the country proud,” he said.
The 33-year-old knows that his experienced counterpart, who has been in with the likes of Mexican superstar Leo Santa Cruz, will be equally hungry to have his hand raised come the end of the fight.
Though Hall is defiant and believes he can knockout the man dubbed ‘Marvelous’. Additionally, Hall, who is coming off an impressive win over tricky American Sergio Perales in his last fight, has said he would like to avenge his close points decision loss to Jamie McDonnell back in 2011.
McDonnell was stripped of the IBF bantamweight title that Hall fights for this weekend, and should he win, it could set up a domestic blockbuster next year.
“When you get to this level every fight and every fighter presents a new challenge. I have shared the ring with some skilled and crafty fighters on my route here and know that Malinga is not coming over here to lie down.
“He’s going to do everything to make sure he goes back home with the belt but I believe I’m going to have too much for him. My will and my drive for this fight is unbelievable and I’ve done some really excellent work to get me ready and in shape for this fight.
“Malinga is going to see the best Stuart Hall in there, one who is ready to do that bit extra in everything. I’m going for the knockout and believe I can get it because I don’t want to leave anything to chance and I want to take the decision out of the judges’ hands.”
“Of course I would like to fight McDonnell again in the future because I believe I have the beating of him.
“Our fight was very close and I believe I have grown and learned so much from then. My aim is to get this world title first and foremost on Saturday and then I can look down the line. A rematch with McDonnell definitely appeals to me – it would be a huge domestic fight particularly if there is world title on the line.”
