Napa sees Hall as stepping stone to bigger things

On the 4th June, former British and European bantamweight champion Ian ‘Dappa’ Napa returns to the ring for the first time since contentiously losing his British title to Jamie McDonnell back in January this year, to face Darlington’s tough, unbeaten prospect Stuey Hall at the Peterlee Leisure Centre in Peterlee, Tyne and Wear.

“I’m looking forward to the fight. He’s a good fighter, lots of aggression and determination. You know, I’ve faced these type of opponents before, they make for a good fight. My preparations are going well, I’m in good shape and I’ve just got to box well and get a result.

"After this fight there is only one option for me, I don’t want to have to just keep defending the British title, I want to move back up. Getting a fight with Jamie McDonnell, or if he doesn’t defend the European title getting whoever has the European title at the time I’ll be looking to fight them. I want to get the European title back.”

Napa’s long time manager/trainer Brian Lawrence (above right with Napa) added, “Things like the Jamie McDonnell result just doesn’t affect him, it just makes him more determined.

"He hasn’t been out of the gym since the McDonnell fight. He’s in good shape. Stuart Hall is gonna know about it on the night. There’s no way he can win.

"Straight away after we win I’m going to call for Jamie McDonnell to put it on the line. I’ll say If you really thought you won the fight and you are champion then defend, don’t run away.

"As I said, straight after the British fight we’ll be looking for the European and then we want a world title shot. So that’s what we will be looking for. If Jamie McDonnell is in our way then we’ll be going right through him. Basically he can hide or come and face Ian Napa to prove who is number one.”

Napa nodded in agreement before adding, “Yeah, I want to get on the world scene, but obviously I have to get back on the European title scene first. In order to progress back onto the European scene I’ve got to get the British title back. So that’s my main objective.”

Ian ‘Dappa’ Napa versus Stuart Hall for the vacant BBBofC British bantamweight title will headline the Frank Maloney promoted event at the Peterlee Leisure Centre in County Durham on Friday, 4th June.

For tickets to Ian ‘Dappa’ Napa vs Stuart Hall call 0871 226 1508 or go to www.frankmaloney.com