Darlington's Hall dreaming of hometown defence

British bantamweight champion Stuey Hall is focused on winning the Lonsdale belt outright - and would love to do it in front of his hometown fans in Darlington.

The 30-year-old roofer is the County Durham's town's first ever British champion after Argy Ward (lost to Martin Power) and Francis Jones (lost to Kevin Anderson) both came up short in very brave attempts.

Hall shocked fight fans by dethroning Ian Napa to take the belt and has since defended impressively against Martin Power and, on Saturday, Gary Davies.

“The Lonsdale is all I’m thinking of at the moment and it is within reach,” he said. “But I have had a word with my manager and promoters and I would love to think I could fight in my hometown.

“It would be a sell-out in the Dolphin Centre or somewhere like that, but I think it would be difficult for Sky Sports to get their cameras and things in there.

“I had around 30 or so of my true supporters in Manchester, cheering me on at around 6.20pm, which was well before the Haye-Harrison fight. I could imagine it being rammed if I was to fight for a title in Darlington. That would be amazing.”

Hall was rather disappointed with the comments of brave, defeated challenger Davies (L RSF7) who complained that he had only had five weeks' notice and as a result struggled to make the weight leading to a lack of energy.

"I only had five weeks notice too,” he said. “In the end I just had too much power for him.

“Davies always makes excuses when he loses. When he lost to Ian Napa he came out with all sorts of things, that’s just how he reacts.

“It’s gone now, though, I know that I am the best bantamweight in the country and that no one can get near to me. It’s about bigger and better things.”