Darlington boxer Stuart Hall is writing an exclusive diary for The Northern Echo in the build up to his world-title fight against Vusi Malinga in Leeds on December 21

WE’RE into the last push of the training schedule now, and I couldn’t be any happier with how things are going ahead of the world title fight a week on Saturday.

The week before the fight is taken up with press conferences and the weigh in and stuff like that, so this week is the last real chance to fine tune things and get in the best possible shape for when I get into the ring in Leeds.

I could fight now to be honest, I don’t really feel as though a lot else needs doing, but it’s nice to get those extra sparring sessions under your belt.

I went ten gruelling rounds yesterday, and still felt as though there was more to give at the end of it, so that has to be a positive sign.

I’ve got a couple more heavy sessions planned in, and then it’ll be a case of scaling back a little bit immediately before the fight. I know I’m ready and whatever Malinga throws at me, he’ll be getting more back in return.

**

AT this stage before a big fight, a lot of boxers have to start worrying about making the weight. Thankfully, I’ve never had a problem with that right through my career and it’s not something I have to concern myself about now.

I have to be eight stone six when I weigh in, and then I’m allowed to put ten pounds back on before I weigh in again 24 hours later on the day of the fight.

It sounds quite brutal, but it’s not a problem for me. I have to watch what I’m eating a little bit, but it’s not like I have to go on starvation rations to make the weight and that’s obviously a good thing. It also means that on the day of the fight, I can take on as much hydration as I want without having to worry.

**

I PRESENTED one of the awards at The Northern Echo’s Local Heroes Awards on Thursday and it was a fantastic night.

To be honest, it opened my eyes a bit to how many people are doing great things in sport in the North-East, whether that’s achieving things as a participant or giving up their time as a coach or volunteer.

Those types of people deserve to be recognised, and it was nice to be able to celebrate what they’ve all done.

Hopefully, I’ll be back next year as a world champion. As the awards night proved, 2013 has already been an excellent year for North-East sport. Hopefully, though, one of the best nights of all is still to come.

**

THE details are still to be finalised, but we’re hoping to stage a public work out in Darlington next week to help sign off the training schedule in style.

It’s something I’ve always wanted to do before one of my fights, and hopefully I’ll be able to do my last sharp pads session somewhere where everyone can watch.

We’ll reveal the details in The Northern Echo if all goes to plan, and it would be nice to see plenty of people down there to see some close-up work.

Then, after that, it’ll be down to Leeds for the real stuff to start. Less than two weeks out, and I’m itching to go.

Tickets for Stuart Hall’s world title fight with Vusi Malinga are priced from £30 and can be bought from the First Direct Arena’s booking line on 0844 2481585. Return coach travel to and from Leeds is available for £10, and can be booked at M&D Travel on Houndgate in Darlington, along with tickets for the fight.