Exclusive - McDonnell and Hall finally set for triple title clash

Jamie McDonnell and Stuart Hall (pictured) have finally agreed to square off to determine Britain’s premier bantamweight operator in what promises to be a real pick’em encounter. According to the EBU, the triple title clash between reigning European and Commonwealth 8st6 king McDonnell and British champion Hall, will take place in Doncaster on 3 September. The spicy showdown will be promoted by Frank Maloney.

Maloney had recently indicated that this mouthwatering domestic clash would be more lucrative to both fighters if it was staged in the North-East (Hall resides in nearby Darlington). Understandably though, Doncaster’s McDonnell was reluctant to concede home advantage and has considerably more to lose than Hall – two titles in addition to a current no.9 world ranking with the WBC.

Both men have been in scintillating form of late. The 25-year-old McDonnell has gone from strength-to-strength after claiming the British and Commonwealth crowns with a split decision win against Ian Napa 18 months ago. The Yorkshireman travelled to France two months later and brilliantly stopped Jerome Arnould in ten rounds to return as the new European champion to cap a remarkable few weeks. McDonnell has since made two successful defences of his EBU title and recently notched a first successful defence of his Commonwealth crown, comfortably outpointing rugged Kenyan Nick Otieno last month.

The unbeaten Hall, at 31 a late bloomer in contrast, forced Ian Napa to retire after eight rounds to capture the British title vacated by McDonnell a year ago. He has since notched up three impressive defences, stopping former British champion Martin Power, the dangerous Gary Davies and an outgunned John Donnelly.