Hall announces retirement following European title loss

Matthew Hall has announced his retirement in the immediate aftermath of his sixth round stoppage loss against Lukas Konecny for the vacant European light-middleweight title in Birmingham tonight. The former Commonwealth champion (10st 13 12oz) held his own early on against the more seasoned Konecky (also 10st 12 12oz) but gradually unravelled as the classy Czech took control from the fourth.

Hall, drafted in to face Konecky after Ryan Rhodes was stripped of his European crown after pulling out a fortnight ago with a back injury, sank in some hurtful hooks in the opener but the Czech refused to give ground. Former WBO title challenger Konecky (now 45-3) seldom seemed troubled by the heavy-handed Hall and found half a yard in round two to uncork a peach of a right hand which momentarily stunned the Manchester man.

Matthew’s better workrate shaded him the third but the feeling seemed to be that he was putting everything into his attacks in contrast to Konecky who seemed relatively untroubled despite sporting a mouse under his left eye. After an even start, the Czech notably took over in round four, forcing Hall onto the backfoot for the first time and drilling him with uppercuts and hooks as Matthew began to struggle.

Hall faired better in round five but was having difficulty in getting his feet set to connect with his power shots as Konecky took half a step back to smother his work. The fight suddenly turned in the sixth when a peach of a left hook wobbled Hall and a follow-up barrage, ending in a right hand to the temple, sent the Manchester man to the canvas.

Matthew rose groggily at eight and attempted to retaliate with a left hook haymaker which whistled past Konecky’s ear, however the Czech immediately responded with his own left-right which sent Hall sprawling again as Italian official Guido Cavalleri waved it off.

Hall leaves the sport at just 26 with a record of 23-3 (16). His best win was a second round hammering of Bradley Pryce to claim the Commonwealth light-middleweight crown however Matthew was stopped in eight by Anthony Small in his next fight and would appear to have conceded that he has found his level.