Butler vs Hall: Your one-stop preview for the WBA world bantamweight title eliminator
Written by News on 30/09/2017
Paul Butler and Stuart Hall will renew their rivalry in a rematch, live on Sky Sports, with the winner edging closer to a world title fight.
Background
The bantamweight rivals shared a hard-fought battle three years ago, with Butler taking Hall’s IBF title following a split-decision victory. They meet again in a WBA title eliminator at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Saturday.
WBA champion Jamie McDonnell will be watching from ringside and could be a future opponent for the winner, if he successfully defends his belt in a rematch with Liborio Solis in Monaco on November 4, live on Sky Sports.
Butler’s sole defeat came when he stepped back down to super-flyweight to challenge IBF champion Zolani Tete, suffering an eighth-round knockout, but has racked up seven victories since that setback in 2015.
Hall has twice failed to reclaim the IBF bantamweight strap, firstly enduring a points defeat to Randy Caballero, and then was on the wrong end of another decision to Lee Haskins last September.
Victory this weekend will open the door for another world title chance, but the loser could be forced to forget about fighting at the highest level.
What the fighters say
What the trainers say
What the experts say
The weigh-in
Paul Butler: 8st 5lbs 7oz
Stuart Hall: 8st 6lbs
The time draws near…
Watch Paul Butler against Stuart Hall, with Rocky Fielding battling David Brophy, Tom Farrell against Ohara Davies and Sean Dodd taking on Tom Stalker, from 7pm this Saturday on Sky Sports Arena
(c) Sky News 2017: Butler vs Hall: Your one-stop preview for the WBA world bantamweight title eliminator
