After bagging five winning Friday Fight Night bets in a row, we aim for a super six tonight when Stuart Hall and Martin Power meet in a much anticipated rematch with the British bantamweight title up for grabs.
30 year old Stuart Hall may be a largely untested 9 fight novice but the man from Darlington currently holds the Lonsdale strap after a surprise win over Ian Napa in June. Most men would have taken some time off to celebrate their new found fame but ‘Stuey’ was straight back in the gym after forcing Hackney based Napa to retire in the 8th round of their recent meeting and now aims to prove that an earlier victory over Power was no freak occurrence either. With just two years previous experience onside, the 5ft 8inch orthodox still has a lot to learn about the sweet science but Bwin have priced this one up and go a standout 5/18 about the champion.
Opponent Martin Power will be aiming to roll back the years in Tyne & Wear and return to the blistering form which saw him claim this same title back in 2005. Since debuting in 2001, 30 year old ‘Too Much’ Power embarked on an incredible 19 fight winning streak which saw him claim the Lonsdale strap with a points win over Huddersfield’s Dale Robinson before making a pair of successful defences against Ian Napa and Isaac Ward.
Going after the Commonwealth crown proved to be his undoing however when South African Tshifhiwa Munyai stopped the Londoner twice in quick succession during a 7 month period. Those defeats seemed to crush Power’s confidence and surprise losses at the hands of Ian Napa, Gary Davies and Stuart Hall quickly followed, leaving the challenger with a record of 21 wins against 5 defeats. Despite bagging a 5th round TKO win over Mathew Edmonds in his last, Power is as much as 7/2 in the betting ring with Bodog.
Martin Power really is a tough one to work out. I’ve trained alongside him at his East London base and he looks as dedicated as they come but he keeps falling short on the big stage and critics believe those back to back defeats to Munyai ended his love affair with the game.
Hall was fortunate to meet and beat Napa when he did but you’ve got to respect his willingness to get back in the ring as soon as possible and I believe he will have the confidence needed to keep hold of his honour.
Last time these two met the fight was a bloody mess of a war but managed to somehow travel 8 rounds. Both will know each others strengths and weaknesses so can get straight to work but I see this one being a battle of wits and should bypass the 8.5 round stage which can be backed at 8/11 (Skybet).
