DARLINGTON fighter Stuart Hall has successfully weighed in ahead of tomorrow's IBF World Bantamweight title fight with South African Vusi Malinga.

The pair completed the pre-fight formalities at the Hilton Hotel in Leeds this afternoon, ahead of tomorrow evening's showdown at the First Direct Arena.

The Northern Echo:
TITLE HOPES: Darlington's Stuart Hall

The Northern Echo:
WEIGH IN: South African Vusi Malinga

Malinga, who has fought unsuccessfully for the world title on two previous occasions, was first on the scales, registering a weight of 8st 5lb 8oz, some eight ounces below the bantamweight upper limit.

Hall, who is bidding to become only the second North-Easterner ever to claim a world title, tipped the scales at 8st 5lb 14oz, pretty much the perfect fighting weight.

"I couldn't be in any better shape," said Hall. "I'm in the shape of my life, and I just can't wait to get going now."

The Northern Echo website will have a live blog during tomorrow night's title fight, with round-by-round updates and a full report once the result is known.