Matthew Hall Vs Andrew Facey next Friday

[Black Sam Bellamy]

Boxrec don't appear to have picked this bill up next week, so I just wanted to give some publicity to a fighter local to me; Matthew Hall. A great opportunity to advance to the next level and a good fight in prospect. Could be a tough assignment though...

Thoughts ?


"LANGLEY power puncher Matthew Hall has landed a title fight.

The Collyhurst and Moston Boxing Academy prospect will bid for the English light-middleweight championship at the Kingsway Leisure Centre in Widnes on Friday 12 December.

This is Hall’s chance to make the big breakthrough into the higher echelons of boxing.

He has been training diligently and has high hopes of bringing a title back to his home town.

He faces a daunting task in 6ft 2in champion Andrew Facey of Sheffield.

Hall’s stablemate Thomas McDonagh challenged the lanky champion for his title in July and was unfortunate to gain only a draw.

But Hall, nicknamed El Torito (Baby Bull) because of his exciting relentless all-action style of boxing, is determined to go one better and bring home the crown.

He said: "It’s going to be difficult. Facey is such a big awkward fighter. He is trained by the Ingle family who specialise in this kind of boxing.

"He is what is known as a switch hitter, but I have been sparring with three tall fighters and feel I have learned a great deal from their experience.

"I feel quite relaxed and quietly confident."

Chief coach Brian Hughes said this is Hall’s big opportunity to show people what he really can do.

"Matthew has been devastating in his last three or four contests.

"The television pundits have been raving about his body-punching and fearsome will to win attitude.

"Over the past three years the lad has suffered from a chest complaint and various injuries. But he has been fitter and healthier in the past few months and is now showing the ability he has had all along.

"Yes, it will be like climbing Mount Everest when he faces the tall Facey.

"But we are very confident that with his punching power, and his army of fans behind him, he will come through and go on to bigger achievements.

"We could do with more support though, and tickets are still available."

"So please come and support your local lad. It’ll make a great pre-Christmas night out."

[leforge]

I think this be fight to watch on Widnes bill.

[Deserter]

I really liked what I saw of Hall earlier on in his career and was shocked when he got stopped by Concepcion. However, I can't say I think it's the wisest bit of match-making putting him in with Facey, who can make just about anyone look bad (ask Jamie Moore!) and he isn't just a spoiler, as Woolcombe found out.
I think if Hall uses good upper body movement and gets inside Facey's reach to work the body he could force a late stoppage, but I wouldn't be shocked to se Facey nicking it on points.

[Poncey]

Saw him lose to Conception, which was a real surprise at the time. Came back with a great win against Hope. Rebuilding his career nicely. Shame this isn't on telly. Neither is the Cleverly bill for some reason.

Good to hear him sticking up for Pat Barrett recently.

With J-Mo and Ryan moving on to pastures new, the Brit title could end up being between Hall and Pryce or Small.

[Deserter]

Good to hear him sticking up for Pat Barrett recently. ;;-)

What was all that about fella?

[leforge]

Its on tv they not updated there schedules.

[Poncey]

Updated

[twenty six]

Matty's certainly had "issues" over the years but I always thought he could do something.
Wasn't it Matty that was stabbed some years ago, leading to a long lay off ?
He was fighting regularly in the early stages of his career - and that's probably what he needs more than anything - staying active.
Interesting match up this - you couldn't put together two more different physiques, and boxing styles.
If Facey keeps him out of reach and picks him off then I can see Facey winning.
If Matty can turn into into a brawl and fight on the inside then he can take it.
This is a LM match up. Andrew has always adapted well to weight changes and rarely loses power coming down the weights.
Wasn't Matty 165 for his last fight ?

[twenty six]

Got that wrong. He was 158, so maybe weight isn't an issue.

[leforge]

When Ryan fighting next will be against Mr Cocky I mean Small!!

[twenty six]

Purse bids due by 09-12-08 Leforge.
Everything is in the air at the moment.
Let's see where the Vuma win puts him in the rankings.

[Poncey]

Thought they were published already :??

[twenty six]

I'm talking about the WBC rankings.
They aren't out yet.

[bennie]

A good-looking clash in Widnes next Friday pairs Manchester puncher Matthew Hall and Sheffield boxer Andrew Facey over 10 rounds for the English light-middleweight title.
The stocky Hall is a powerful, left-hooking body puncher with only one defeat in 21 contests and 13 big wins by stoppage but he steps up against the towering, pencil-thin Facey, who holds the English belt and drew with Hall's stablemate Thomas McDonagh in defence of his title earlier this year.
Many people fancied McDonagh to depose him that night.
A pro since 1999, Facey knows all about good, young prospects and knows all about beating them. He snapped the unbeaten records of Matthew Macklin, Matthew Tait and Gary Woolcombe in upsets and also licked the likes of Darren Rhodes and Gilbert Eastman when they were on a roll, not to mention the McDonagh draw on McDonagh turf in Manchester. Facey won the English title by outscoring Macklin in Dagenham five long years ago, a win which earned him two stabs at a British title and one at the Commonwealth, all of which he lost but lost valiantly.
The English title looks a winning level for him.
Andrew is now 36 but keeps himself fit, throws a lot of raking shots and knows - boy, does he know - how to use his height and reach advantages. He had Salford's strong Jamie Moore on the floor in his first challenge for the British light-middleweight title in Belfast in November 2003 before he was overwhelmed in seven rounds and also hurt the excellent Bradley Pryce once or twice before conceding the points in that Commonwealth title crack in Wales in 2006. Moore beat him again for the British title more recently but not more convincingly - this time it took Jamie 11 hard rounds.
Facey is established and obviously much more experienced than the 24-year-old challenger but we've seen how these things can count for nothing in recent passing of the flame contests featuring Paul McCloskey and Nathan Cleverly (who tops this bill in defence of the Commonwealth light-heavyweight title he won against Tony Oakey). Hall can whack and has come back well from a stunning first-round defeat to Leicester's Martin Concepcion last year in London, with four solid wins, one of them a five-round pounding of lanky Welshman Taz Jones.
Still, the man nicknamed "Little Bull" will surely struggle with the sheer height and reach of Facey. Everyone does. The Ingles train Facey, which means he is slippery, awkward, stronger than he looks... Yes, the prickly, heavy handed Hall will look to bang away at Facey's long body, followed by his chin. Facey does have an unfortunate habit of holding his chin in the air, which southpaw Moore was able to exploit, eventually. The champion also tends to fade late on in his fights.
As much as Hall stands a puncher's chance, however, a young man's chance, Facey still knows too much for him.