One of the most fearsome punchers in all of boxing will be unleashed at Halloween, when Naoya "The Monster" Inoue defends his WBA and IBF world bantamweight titles against Jason "Mayhem" Moloney at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs) comes into Saturday's bout second on Ring's pound-for-pound rankings, trailing only Canelo Alvarez. This is his second pro fight in the United States and first under the Top Rank banner, with the promotional outfit hoping the 27-year-old can blossom into an international star.
In order to do that, he'll have to get past Moloney (21-1, 18 KOs), a 29-year-old Australian who has four consecutive wins by stoppage and is ranked sixth in Ring's bantamweight ratings.
Here's what you need to know to watch the fight.
Fight Info
When: Saturday, Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET (undercard start time)
Where: MGM Grand in Las Vegas
Live stream: ESPN+
Odds: Inoue -1115 (bet $1,115 to win $100), Moloney +550 (bet $100 to win $550) (via Draftkings Sportsbook)
Inoue is not in one of boxing's glamour divisions, but if he were, he might already be a household name.
The Japanese champion combines technical mastery with awe-inspiring power, and his body punching is some of the best in the prizefighting business.
Here's how Yahoo Sports's Kevin Iole describes him: "He doesn't just finish opponents, he pulverizes them and in many cases, knocks them senseless. He's got the same kind of power in his fists pound-for-pound that Mike Tyson had as a heavyweight."
Inoue might also be one of the most resilient fighters in the sport. Last time out, he emerged bloodied, battered but ultimately victorious in a hellish decision win over Nonito Donaire in the World Boxing Super Series final.
Inoue suffered fractures to his nose and orbital bone early on in the bout in November 2019, but he pushed through the pain to get the win.
Put it all together, and it's easy to see why he is such an overwhelming favorite against Moloney. Inoue's had nearly a full year to recover from the Donaire clash, so fans can expect his best on Saturday night.
"I've prepared perfectly for this title defense against Jason Moloney," Inoue told BoxingScene.com's Jake Donovan via a translated text. "I am excited to fight in Las Vegas for the first time and to give my best performance in the ring."
Moloney is going to have to put in the shift of his life if he's going to beat a razor-sharp Inoue.
The well-regarded challenger is no slouch in the power department with an 81.8 percent career knockout rate, per BoxRec. His lone loss came in October 2018, a split-decision defeat to Emmanuel Rodriguez. He is a massive underdog against Inoue, but he can see a path to victory against the undefeated champion.
"Inoue is an exceptional fighter with great speed and knockout power," Moloney said, per Ring's Anson Wainwright. "But all fighters have a weakness, and no fighter is unbeatable.
"I think Inoue is reckless at times and he is there to be hit. Obviously you have to be good enough to capitalize on these opportunities but I believe that I can do it."
Donaire certainly proved Inoue is hittable, but even the broken bones weren't enough for the Filipino Flash to get the upset. Moloney is going to have to come up with something truly remarkable in order to win.
Boxing fans will get a rare treat on Thursday with a world-class fight that doesn't have to interfere with weekend plans, assuming you don't mind getting up early stateside. Naoya Inoue will square off against Nonito Donaire in the World Boxing Super Series final, a clash that also serves as a title unification bout.
Inoue will put his IBF world bantamweight title on the line in Saitama, Japan, while Donaire brings his WBA and WBC world bantamweight straps. The undefeated Inoue (18-0, 16 KOs) is a hard-hitting, technical marvel who has dominated boxing's lighter divisions. Ring Magazine ranks "The Monster" as the No. 4 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Donaire (40-5, 26 KOs) is no slouch, as his world titles can attest, but he's not expected to match Inoue's skill and intensity, While the 36-year-old has beaten several excellent fighters, he has lost when it matters most, with defeats against the likes of Carl Frampton, Jessie Magdaleno and Guillermo Rigondeaux. A win over Inoue would be a big upset and represent a career high for the "Filipino Flash."
Here's how to watch.
Naoya Inoue vs. Nonito Donaire Fight Info
When: Thursday, Nov. 7 at 5 a.m. ET (main card)
Where: Super Arena in Saitama, Japan
TV: Sky Sports Action, Sky Sports Mix (UK)
Live stream: DAZN (US, subscription required)
Odds: Inoue -900 (bet $900 to win $100), Donaire +500 (bet $100 to win $500)
Odds courtesy of OddsChecker.com and updated as of Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 3 p.m. ET.
Based on what Inoue's done so far in the WBSS, there's a good chance he ends up dominating Donaire in the final. The quarterfinal saw Inoue knock out Juan Carlos Payano on a left-right combo unleashed with blinding speed. In the semifinal, Emmanuel Rodriguez managed to reach the second round before Inoue ended his night with a vicious body punch. Here's the highlight, per DAZN USA:
This has been Inoue's entire career. He has incredible speed, is great at setting traps and is a ruthless finisher. Five of his last six fights have ended within three rounds. At 26 years old, he may only just be entering his prime.
Donaire certainly has a monumental task in front of him. The underdog is a naturally bigger man, coming down to bantamweight after a few years in the super bantamweight and featherweight ranks. He may be better able to handle Inoue's power, but his opponent's brilliance in other areas may prove to be too much to overcome. At 36 years old, any diminishing speed or conditioning could spell doom for him.
Donaire certainly hasn't been helped by the lack of competition up to this point in the WBSS. He beat Ryan Burnett in the quarterfinal after the Englishman suffered a back injury. He was then set to face the excellent Zolani Tete in the semifinal, but Tete got hurt in training and had to pull out of the bout. Donaire ended up dispatching the replacement fighter, Stephon Young, in six rounds.
Despite the easy path to the final, Donaire expects to be in his top form on Thursday.
"The tougher the fight, the more I show up. That's why I always seek to fight the best, and that's why I've always gone to seek the bigger fights because it always brings out the best in me. This fight [against Inoue] definitely is going to bring out the best of me in every way," he said, per ESPN.com's Steve Kim.
Like Inoue, Donaire knows how to break down an opponent with power punches. However, Bad Left Hook's Scott Christ believes Donaire's best punch could be his downfall:
"Donaire's main tactical flaw is a simple one, and it's been there forever, even back when he was a top P4P guy, and it comes from his greatest asset, the left hook. Donaire has a habit of falling in love with that punch to the point he can be one-dimensional and ineffective. The good news is that, again, his left hook is a genuine eraser, a monster punch. But if it's all he's looking for, he becomes predictable. It may be his only legitimate chance at the upset on Thursday, but Inoue will be prepared for it, too. It can be neutralized."
It won't be at all surprising if the fight takes a couple of rounds to get going, with both boxers aware of each other's gifts. However, Inoue's ability to dismantle opponents by attacking both the head and body, coupled with his speed and youth, should see him holding three world titles when the night is done.
Nordine Oubaali and Rau'shee Warren will be in the spotlight on Saturday night when they battle for the vacant WBC world bantamweight title on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Adrien Broner fight.
For Oubaali (14-0, 11 KOs), it's his first chance at a world title after turning pro five years ago. Warren (16-2, 4 KOs) held both the IBO and WBA world titles at bantamweight after beating Juan Carlos Payano in June 2016, avenging an earlier loss to Payano. However, he lost the belts in his next fight, a split-decision loss to Zhanat Zhakiyanov.
The WBC title the two are fighting for became available after Luis Nery failed to make weight for a title fight last year.
The fight is also a chance at revenge for Warren. He lost to Oubaali in the flyweight division at the 2012 London Olympics, his first and only match at those Summer Games. Warren turned pro later that year.
In addition to Oubaali-Warren and Pacquiao-Broner, Saturday's pay-per-view card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas also features Badou Jack fighting Marcus Browne for the WBA interim light heavyweight title and Jhack Tepora defending his WBA interim featherweight title against Hugo Ruiz.
Here's how to watch the fights.
Oubaali vs. Warren Fight Info
When: Saturday, Jan. 19 at 9 p.m. ET
Where: MGM Grand in Las Vegas
TV: Showtime (PPV, $74.99)
Live Stream: Showtime.com (PPV, $74.99)
Odds: Oubaali -450 (bet $450 to win $100), Warren +325
Oubaali is a solid favorite going into this match. Not only has he proved he can beat Warren in the past, albeit as an amateur, but he's also turned out to be a more dangerous fighter as a professional.
The 32-year-old Frenchman is undefeated, winning his last five matches by stoppage. Warren—a decorated amateur boxer—has a couple of losses on his record, and with just four KOs in his career, he doesn't appear to possess the stopping power that his opponent has at 118 pounds.
Oubaali has also been getting some help to prepare for Warren. According to BoxingScene.com, Oubaali has been sparring with Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire, who noted Oubaali's "power is something you really feel when you're in there with him."
Donaire is an orthodox fighter, while Warren is a southpaw, so he wasn't quite the perfect sparring partner. Oubaali will have to work on getting his front foot to the outside of Warren's and be wary of the left cross.
Fortunately, Warren isn't a dangerous puncher, so Oubaali will likely be willing to take a hit or two if it means he can get off his own power punches cleanly.
If Warren finds his power lacking, he will have to make sure he can establish the jab.
Speaking to PremierBoxingChampions.com's Lem Satterfield, Warren says he's been working on that part of his arsenal:
"The jab wasn't there in the two Juan Carlos Payano fights. It was a lot of just going in there and slugging, trying to bring the fight to him. The second fight I kind of made it easier, but I still didn't throw my jab as much.
"Over the course of my last two fights, we've made it more critical and the most important part of my arsenal, setting up the rest of my punches and making everything easier."
Warren, a Cincinnati native, also has a home-country advantage over Oubaali, who is looking at his first professional bout outside of France. If he can put together a complete performance and get the crowd behind him, he could walk away with an upset win on a big stage.
Odds are courtesy of OddsShark and updated as of Thursday, Jan. 17 at 7 a.m. ET.
Bantamweights Lee Haskins and Stuart Hall meet for a second time on Saturday, as their clash for the IBF title provides the chief support for the Gennady Golovkin-Kell Brook showdown at the O2 Arena in London.
Haskins (33-3, 14 KOs) is the reigning champion on a hot streak. Since losing to Stephane Jamoye in December 2012, he's reeled off seven wins on the spin.
Hall (20-4-2, 7 KOs), however, is a former holder who wants the belt back. He also wants revenge, having lost on points to his fellow Englishman in a European title fight in July 2012.
There is no love lost between the pair, as demonstrated at Wednesday's pre-fight press conference:
At least they don't have to wait much longer to settle their differences in the ring. Before Golovkin and Brook take centre stage, expect fireworks between two little men with a point to prove.
When: Saturday, September 10, 9:30 p.m. BST (4:30 p.m. ET)
Where: O2 Arena, London
TV: Sky Sports Box Office (UK)
Late Bloomer
For so long, Haskins looked like he would fall short of fulfilling his potential.
After winning the Commonwealth flyweight title in just his 15th professional outing, the boxer from Bristol seemed destined to go on and become a world champion.
He eventually got there—nearly a decade later and at a different weight.
The reason for the delay was solely down to Haskins, who wasn't dedicated to his profession. The nickname Playboy was handed out for a reason—his focus was too often on life away from the gym.
Eventually, the penny dropped. Now fully committed to his job, the 33-year-old has put together a string of impressive results to finally reach the summit.
It helped when former IBF champion Randy Caballero failed to make weight, thereby handing over the title on the scales rather than in the ring. However, that should not detract from Haskins' late-career flourish.
Before contemplating potential unification fights—with fellow Englishman Jamie McDonnell, the WBA champion, an obvious target—Haskins first has to deal with Hall.
The champion expects history to repeat itself in their second meeting, only this time the judges won't be required. He told Andy Stockhausen of the Bristol Post:
He's always boxed the same way. He walks forward, his feet are slow and he's there to be hit. My footwork and hand speed will be too good for him, just like they were last time.
I won the last fight comfortably and I reckon I'll beat him even more convincingly this time. I feel strong in training, I'm hitting hard and I reckon I could get this one done inside the distance.
Haskins' career KO ratio of 39 per cent doesn't support his prediction of a stoppage win, but Hall's willingness to march forward could play right into his hands.
All or Nothing
At 36, Hall understands he faces a must-win situation at the weekend.
The IBF strap is special to him, having previously claimed it with victory over South African southpaw Vusi Malinga in December 2013.
His reign didn't last long. After a technical draw with Martin Ward (a cut ended that bout early), Hall came out on the wrong end of a split-decision verdict against Paul Butler.
Unlike Haskins, he did make it to the ring against Caballero, losing to the American on points when the pair were ordered by the IBF to meet for their vacant crown.
Since that reverse in October 2014, Hall has recorded four successive victories, all on points.
However, only last time out, against Rodrigo Guerrero in April, was he actually up against a viable opponent. That victory in an eliminator paved the way for a chance at redemption.
Per Matchroom Boxing's official press release, Hall is confident he will even the score at one win apiece: "Haskins is a frail little girl. He's not going to put a dent in me. I'm going to steam through him and quick. I can't wait to see his face when he's on the floor."
Like Haskins, Hall is hardly known for his power. Of his 20 career victories to date, only seven have come inside the distance.
Still, the animosity between the pair suggests both will go head hunting.
There's nothing either would like more than to knock the other man out, not just in terms of the actual fight but also the world title scene. For the loser, it is tough to see a route back to world level.
Prediction
Haskins and Hall are chalk and cheese when it comes to fighting styles. While the former is a smooth southpaw happy boxing on the back foot, the latter is a forward-marching fighter who doesn't mind a scrap.
For the challenger, the key is engaging Haskins in a battle. He can use his 5'8" frame to shorten the gap against someone who can be a tricky customer to pin down.
However, his performance against Guerrero won't have worried Haskins. The judges' scores of 117-111 were generous in favour of the winner.
If he retains his focus in the heat of battle, the champion will triumph again. A stoppage looks unlikely, so expect a unanimous decision on the cards instead.
Bleacher Report will be blogging the action from the O2 Arena. Join us on Saturday to keep up to date with the action in the English capital.
Ryan Burnett admits he has one glaring weakness—a love of pizza.
The undefeated bantamweight has a liking for a particular version called the "New Yorker"—a meaty number with mushrooms—from a worldwide food chain whose products are definitely not cooked in a hut.
"Once my fight is over we buy a pizza and sit out the back [of the venue] to eat it. That’s always the plan," he explained to Bleacher Report. "After I’ve stuffed my face, we then like to go out and watch the rest of the fights."
When it comes to boxing, however, Burnett has yet to reveal any glaring weaknesses.
Since making his professional debut in May 2013, the Northern Irishman has compiled a 13-0 (9 KOs) record.
He has already won British, WBO European and WBC International titles. There's been no desire to hold him back in the paid ranks as, after a softish start, he has faced genuine tests in his last two outings.
Burnett took on Jason Booth—a former world-title challenger who's travelled around the block so many times he could tell you who lives in every house—for the Lonsdale belt last November.
Then, in February, Burnett went 10 rounds with Anthony Settoul, a Frenchman who had previously shared a ring with Nonito Donaire (albeit not for too long).
On each occasion, the man from Belfast won by unanimous decision on the scorecards. While Booth and Settoul stuck around, neither gave the younger man too many problems.
In going the distance twice, Burnett showed he has the stamina to go with the undoubted skills he first demonstrated during his hugely successful amateur career.
"The thing is, when most fighters turn pro they got put in the ring against guys who are just in there to make a few quid and take a knee," Burnett explained at a press conference in Leeds, England.
"It’s good that my last few fights have been up against people who have been competitive, who have been there to win.
"Booth gave it one hell of a last hurrah. He had plenty of notice for the fight, had trained well and looked in great shape. He gave it a good push, and that was great for me.
"I got [to face] an experienced fighter who was there to win."
Trainer Adam Booth, who took over the role from Ricky Hatton after Burnett parted ways with The Hitman's promotional company, is more than happy to let his young fighter learn on the job.
As he told Elliot Worsell for Boxing News, Booth believes in both his fighter's talent and temperament:
Ryan’s the most naturally talented fighter I’ve worked with, bar none.
He has that David Haye genetic make-up, but, on top of that, he’s so very, very clever and confident. The harder the fight, the more he wants it. A lot of guys who have that same kind of talent are used to getting their own way. But, as soon as they don’t get their own way, they fall apart. They go in there with this level of entitlement. Ryan’s not like that. I try and shut up talking about him, but it’s hard. I’m so excited.
The admiration flows both ways.
"Who better to have in your corner than Adam Booth? He knows the game so well and he’s teaching me more than I could have ever imagined," Burnett said of the man who now runs his corner.
The combination can now prepare for even tougher tests ahead.
Promoter Eddie Hearn is working to a tight schedule with one of the rising stars in his stacked stable. He said in May, per Isaac Robinson of Sky Sports: "There's a three-fight plan now for Ryan Burnett; to box on July 30, then again in September, then again in December—and then he's ready to fight for the world title."
The idea is for Burnett to face the winner of the September 10 showdown between reigning IBF champion Lee Haskins and Stuart Hall, a former world champion at 118 pounds, at the O2 Arena in London.
"I feel grateful just to be named alongside the likes of Stuart Hall and Lee Haskins," Burnett said. "They are top fighters in the division. To be named up there with those gives me a boost. It lets me know that I’m doing things right."
Ideally, the tilt at the IBF belt will be staged in Burnett's home city of Belfast, giving him the chance to turn a boyhood dream into a reality in his own backyard.
Carl Frampton achieved just that in 2014, defeating Kiko Martinez to become the new IBF champion at super bantamweight. Now Burnett wants to follow in his compatriot's footsteps.
"I’ve always looked up to Carl since I was in the amateur game," he said of Frampton. "He was always a couple of years older than me and achieving things that I wanted to do. He’s a great person to draw inspiration from."
Burnett is an inspirational character in his own right.
He has experienced plenty in and out of the ring, despite still only being 24. A highly successful amateur who lost just four of his 98 bouts, he secured the gold medal at the Olympic Youth Games in 2010.
A back injury then delayed his move to the pros, although that wasn't the biggest health issue he has had to overcome.
An aneurysm was discovered on the right side of his brain during a routine scan. At that stage, it looked to be an abrupt end to a promising career.
However, he simply refused to believe it was all over. Burnett fought possibly his most important battle and came out on top, eventually proving his health to earn a licence.
Now his focus is only on fighting inside a ring, with his next outing on July 30 at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
The identity of his opponent has yet to be officially confirmed—according to Joe O'Neill of Irish-Boxing.com, it will be Mexican Cesar Ramirez—but it does not really matter who is in the opposite corner.
Burnett will want to triumph and stretch his perfect record to 14-0.
Not only does each victory move him a step closer to that planned shot at a world title, it also means he can finally have his favourite pizza again.
Rob Lancaster is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.
Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz was right—there's no place like home.
However, South African boxer Zolani Tete seems to have found a spot where he feels just as comfortable as the Eastern Cape in his native land.
When the man nicknamed Last Born first turned up in Liverpool, England, in March 2015, he was the reigning IBF super flyweight champion defending his belt against local favourite Paul Butler.
Butler was expected to triumph. Tete's record was good, but no one had seen too much of him. The bookies' odds suggested the challenger would claim the title and become a two-weight world champion.
Yet southpaw Tete hadn't read the script.
At 5'9" and with a reach of 72", he was able to dictate proceedings from range.
Even when Butler did occasionally manage to shorten the gap between the pair, Tete more than matched his opponent in the close exchanges.
The inevitable end came in Round 8, as a bemused Butler was dropped by a beautiful uppercut. He just about managed to rise in time to avoid being counted out but was in no fit state to continue.
Per Tom Gray of The Ring magazine, the beaten Butler praised his foe in his post-fight interview: "He [Tete] was very good and the better man won on the night. He stood off and picked his shots very well and we knew by his record that he carried plenty of power. He’s a great champion."
Butler wasn't the only one impressed by Tete.
While he was far from an unknown quantity, nobody had quite expected Tete to be that good.
Promoter Frank Warren was so impressed he even signed the 28-year-old to join his stable of fighters.
Tete returned to Liverpool just over a year on from his victory over Butler. He stepped up to bantamweight to defeat Jose Santos Gonzalez and pick up the vacant IBF International belt.
On Saturday, he is back boxing again in the city. He defends his international title against Mexican Victor Ruiz.
Where once he was viewed as the villain for beating Butler, now he is welcomed back with open arms.
It seems the feeling is mutual. Tete said of Liverpool, per quotes published by FrankWarren.com:
I can't wait to fight again Liverpool. It feels like home every time I'm there. I've been preparing for the fight for almost eight weeks now and I'm ready to deliver another explosive performance for my loyal fans.
Liverpool fight fans have been so good to me ever since I beat Paul Butler and I'm looking to repay their support with another exciting victory. I've heard they call me the Scouse African now! The Echo Arena holds happy memories for me and I plan on sending my fans home happy on June 4.
Tete’s increased exposure in England opens up possibilities at bigger prizes.
He has his sights set on two Englishmen in particular, as BoxNation revealed on Twitter:
Haskins is the reigning IBF champion at 118 pounds. McDonnell holds the WBA regular belt at the same weight. A fight against either would be fantastic for Tete and wonderful to watch as a neutral.
There was talk of Tete taking on Zhanat Zhakiyanov, the WBA’s interim champion. Whispers on social media even suggested the belt holder pulled out of a scheduled bout.
However, Ricky Hatton—Zhakiyanov’s manager—set the record straight to Tim Rickson of British Boxing News: "Zhanat couldn’t have pulled out of facing Tete because the fight wasn’t even made."
You could forgive bantamweights if they did choose to steer clear of Tete (not that fighters tend to back down from any challenge, provided the price is right).
He is tall, awkward and can hit hard. Per BoxRec, he has a career knockout ratio of 73 per cent, an impressively high number for someone so light on the scales.
For those who don’t have to cope with Tete in the ring, it’s much easier to warm to him.
While some fighters treat their mothers to a new car or house when they succeed at the highest level, Tete revealed to BoxNation that, after beating Butler, he planned to buy his mum a new leg. Yes, really:
Tete's circumstances draw parallels to a famous fighter from the not-so distance past who also had to travel to build his reputation.
Just under two decades ago, with limited opportunities in the United States, Ronald "Winky" Wright set up a temporary base in England to help maximise his earning potential.
A world champion at the time, he defended his WBO super welterweight title against home fighters Ensley Bingham, Steve Foster and Adrian Dodson.
Wright eventually returned home and found stardom in the latter stages of his career. He had taken a detoured route to the top but still managed to get there in the end.
The same could yet happen with Tete.
Grounded, gifted and greedy for big fights, the man dubbed the Scouse African is a mighty fine South African export.
As cheerleaders go, Lee Haskins couldn't ask for a better one than Barry McGuigan.
While he didn't quite have the pom poms out on Saturday, McGuigan demonstrated his support for the IBF bantamweight world champion with his words, rather than any overelaborate dance routines.
After seeing Haskins ease to a points victory over Ivan Morales, McGuigan—a man who knows what it takes to win a world title—told Channel 5 (h/t Press Association via BT Sport): "Lee is one of the most underestimated fighters in the country and he hasn't been given the recognition.
"He's 32 years old, but there's not a mark on him. He's as fresh as a daisy.
"The kid is a tremendous fighter, he needs these opportunities and we now hope he will get that recognition."
McGuigan has a vested interest in Haskins' progress.
His Cyclone Promotions joined forces with Sanigar Events—the team looking after Haskins—to promote the card at the Ice Arena in Cardiff, Wales.
But McGuigan was correct with his analysis about one of Britain's lesser-known world champions: Haskins is underestimated and deserves greater recognition for what he has achieved.
It didn't help the Englishman's profile that he happened to pick up the IBF title without throwing a punch.
He had travelled to Las Vegas for his big opportunity against Randy Caballero in November 2015, only for his opponent to miss the weight. Caballero didn't just miss it by a bit either. Per Matt Christie of Boxing News, the American was more than five pounds over the limit.
Haskins had worked hard to get his chance, too, winning six on the spin since Stephane Jamoye had knocked him out in December 2012.
Yet Caballero's failure to bother getting underneath 118 pounds denied Haskins from being crowned world champion in a ring.
Beating Morales, the younger brother of the legendary Erik, was a solid start to his reign, although journalist Paul Zanon summed up the fight with one tweet:
As McGuigan mentioned, Haskins now needs opportunities to show what he can do at the very highest level.
At 32, and after a bumpy round to the top, he needs to cash in on his current status.
Thankfully, there is the chance to kill two birds with one stone by facing his mandatory challenger, and former IBF champion, Stuart Hall.
The pair have met before, with Haskins winning comfortably on points to pick up the vacant European strap.
The rivalry has simmered ever since that bout in 2012. Festered is perhaps the better word to describe it—they simply don't like each other.
Haskins chased a rematch in 2014 when Hall was the world champion. The former told the BBC's Points West (h/t BBC Sport): "The truth is Stuart Hall doesn't want to know.
"I don't blame him. They know with Lee Haskins at his best, there's no one in Britain who can beat me."
Now, in 2016, the roles are reversed. Haskins is the one holding the belt—but he is more than happy to face Hall again in his second defence.
The southpaw told Chris McKenna of the Daily Star: "This is a fight I cannot wait for. They could offer me £1m for a unification, I would still rather take the Stuey Hall fight."
Hall is a tall (5'8" to be precise), tough fighter with plenty of experience. He is a hard-working sort who wears down opponents with his work rate rather than with one-punch power.
Haskins, in contrast, is a slick boxer who tends to blow hot and cold in a round, never mind a fight. He can delight and frustrate in equal measure, something that hasn't always helped him prosper with promoters.
Their methods are vastly different, yet Hall and Haskins could blend together to make for an intriguing contest that will pit style against substance.
Hall moved into the position of mandatory challenger by beating Rodrigo Guerrero on points in April, but even then he had someone else on his mind.
He said prior to his last fight in Leeds, England, according to Behind The Gloves: "The way he [Haskins] goes on gets under my skin. I want the rematch because he is a big head and I don’t like big heads in boxing, I like humble people, the likes of Jamie McDonnell—he is a great bloke, he is humble."
McDonnell is the reigning WBA champion in the division and a potential target for both Hall and Haskins.
Before then, however, the two domestic rivals have to settle an old score. A bit of bad blood never hurts when it comes to selling tickets, as well as attracting a television audience.
When you add in the bout being for a world title, it is easy to see Haskins-Hall being a real cracker. We can only hope negotiations don't deny the public from seeing it happen at some stage in 2016.
Lee Haskins successfully defended his IBF bantamweight title on Saturday with a comfortable points win over Ivan Morales at the Ice Arena in Cardiff, Wales.
Haskins (33-3, 14 KOs) was far too slick for Morales (29-2, 17 KOs), who failed to follow in the footsteps of famous brothers Erik and Diego in becoming a world champion.
You can look back on Bleacher Report's blog of the action from the Welsh capital below:
After being crowned in unusual circumstances, Lee Haskins makes the first defence of his IBF bantamweight title on Saturday at the Ice Arena in Cardiff, Wales.
Englishman Haskins (32-3, 14 KOs) claimed the belt last year without having to step into a ring. Previous champion Randy Caballero was stripped of the strap after failing to make weight for their fight in November 2015.
Now Haskins goes up against Ivan Morales (29-1, 17 KOs), a Mexican from a famous fighting family.
The challenger is the younger brother of Erik and Diego Morales. Yes, that Erik Morales, the one nicknamed El Terrible who won world titles at four different weights.
Also on the card, Andrew Selby bids to win the vacant British flyweight title in just his fifth professional outing. The Welshman—younger brother of IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby—faces Louis Norman.
When: Saturday, May 14, at 10 p.m. BST (5 p.m. ET)
Where: Ice Arena, Cardiff, Wales
TV: Channel 5 (UK)
The Long and Winding Road
Haskins has taken the long road to the top. At times, it seemed like he would never get there.
Nicknamed Playboy for a reason, the Bristolian—who started out as a flyweight—always had the talent but lacked the dedication required to reach the highest level.
However, losing the European bantamweight belt to Stephane Jamoye in 2012 seemed to flick a switch in Haskins' head.
Since that stoppage loss in Liege, Belgium, he has reeled off six successive victories.
He started the run by beating Martin Ward to become British champion, then reclaimed the European strap when his bout with Omar Lamiri was sent to the scorecards early due to a cut over Haskins' right eye.
In his most recent outing, Haskins became the IBF's interim champion. Defeating Ryosuke Iwasa set up a clash with Caballero, although that never happened due to his opponent's issues on the scales.
Now Haskins gets a homecoming of sorts. While he travels into Wales for his first defence, plenty from Bristol will make the short trip across the Second Severn Crossing to see the titleholder in action.
The southpaw has no intention of letting his travelling supporters down, as he explained to Andy Stockhausen of the Bristol Post:
I'm not ready to give this belt up yet. It's coming back home with me on Saturday night.
Doors are opening for me now and there are a lot of opportunities out there. I'm going to send Ivan home to his mother with his tail between his legs and then look for even bigger fights.
I'm at the top of my game, I feel I've a lot left in the tank and I want to try and clean up in this weight division and unify the belts.
The fight—which will be broadcast on free-to-air television—is co-promoted by Barry McGuigan's Cyclone Promotions and Sanigar Events, who have Haskins in their stable of fighters.
Family Traditions
Morales can complete a family hat-trick on Saturday.
He has seen his boxing brothers Diego and Erik both win world titles. If he can dethrone Haskins on the road, Nino Maravilla will follow in the footsteps of his famous siblings.
Before leaving Mexico, the challenger told Ben Jacobs of BoxingScene.com:
This is huge for my family, it’s not every day that you can have three world champions from the same family.
Our parents taught us good values and wanted us to reach our dreams. They hoped we’d be good people but I don’t think they ever thought they’d have three sons who would be world champions, and we are a week away from that. I have faith that it will happen, my parents and brothers will be very happy with my fight.
Morales was hotly tipped to go all the way from early in his career. Yet his progress hit a stumbling block by the name of Edgar Jimenez in August last year.
Facing a journeyman who had 11 defeats on his record, Morales was second best throughout a 10-round contest. He lost by majority decision on the cards, although a 95-95 score from one judge was generous.
The 24-year-old has bounced back since that first defeat. He stopped Manuel Jimenez in Round 5 last December, although that one result does not answer the question about his readiness for a world-title shot.
On Morales, Bad Left Hook's Scott Christ wrote: "He's a talented young fighter, still maturing, and it's possible that the loss may have been a blessing in disguise, a bit of a wake-up call, and something he can learn from going forward."
The southpaw is taking a step into the unknown—his only two bouts outside of his homeland took place in the United States, hardly a tricky away day for a Mexican fighter.
However, Morales can always turn to Diego and Erik for advice about becoming a world champion.
Prediction
If Ivan is even half as good as his eldest brother Erik, Haskins is in for a seriously tough night in the Welsh capital.
However, the champion comfortably has the upper hand when it comes to experience. He also has a lot to lose—a defeat at this stage of his career is a step back he can ill afford to take.
The presence of McGuigan sprinkles a little extra stardust on the occasion.
Haskins knows the linkup with Cyclone Promotions could lead to big bouts further down the line, provided he retains his title.
He will do just that in Cardiff by recording a points triumph over Morales after 12 absorbing rounds.
