Ahead of his IBF world bantamweight title fight with Vusi Malinga at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on December 21, Darlington boxer Stuart Hall is writing a weekly diary for The Northern Echo. Today, he talks about visiting the North-East’s football grounds to promote the fight and how watching Tony Bellew’s fight on Sunday has given him itchy feet.

MY trainer had a go at me the other day for having so many engagements to promote the fight. On Sunday night I was at Darlington Rugby Club to do a question and answer session about the fight when I should have been resting, but it ended up being a really good night and I got a lot out of it. Obviously training is the main focus but it’s nice to be able to do these things and try to drum up a bit of interest in the fight.

THE fight is getting closer, but I’ve still got a lot planned between now and then. I’ll be at The Northern Echo’s Local Heroes Awards on Thursday night at the Dolphin Centre. On Wednesday I’m in Leeds training and then I’m going to the Stadium of Light to walk on the pitch at half time in Sunderland’s game with Chelsea.

On Saturday I’m going to Paul Hamilton’s Thai Boxing show. All this is good for the fight but it is hard when I’m supposed to be training and resting. On December 14 I’m going to Newcastle v Southampton, where I’ll be walking on the pitch at half time and I’m trying to sort out doing something in Darlington a week before the fight as well. It’s all good to promote the fight. I just need to fuel up and try to get my meals in. I’ve got all my meals cooked and ready to eat when I’m out and about.

I WATCHED Tony Bellew’s fight and I was a bit gutted for him. It was a tough ask for him to go there a beat the lad in his own back yard. I was hoping he would win but it was difficult for him. Seeing all these fights is giving me itchy feet and having seen Froch v Groves and Bellew v Stevenson all I want to do now is get in the ring. I’m going to do it and I’m raring to go. It’s all down to me and come December 21 I will be the next British world champion.

I DID another eight rounds with Rendall Munroe last week. He’s been in with three world champions and beaten two of them. Everyone is saying how Malinga is in good company and he’s a class above me but I think Munroe is a class above him and if I can go eight hard rounds sparring with him I can beat Malinga.

On Friday I’ll be sparring and will probably be upping it to ten rounds with Rendall. That will be tough. At the end of the day it’s a world title fight and Malinga will be coming to win and will be 100 per cent. It makes for a good fight but as long as I’m in the best shape I’m going to win the fight. No way in the world will I let him win the fight easily. I can take a punch and I can give a big punch. I am itching to get in the ring. I can’t wait.

Tickets for Stuart Hall's world title fight are priced from £30, and can be bought from the First Direct Arena's booking line on 0844 2481585 or by calling 07824 466535.