STUART HALL has already secured his place in the pantheon of North-East boxing. As only the second fighter from the region to have claimed a World title, the Darlington bantamweight will be remembered as an all-time great long after he eventually calls time on his career.

That will not change, no matter what happens when he takes on his long-time rival, Paul Butler, in a WBA World Eliminator at Liverpool’s Echo Arena this evening. Even if he loses, Hall will be able to retire with his head held high.

Yet as he reflects on his career to this point, the 37-year-old is adamant he does not want to bow out with unfinished business. Yes, he will always have won the IBF World Bantamweight belt. Yes, he will have been involved in two more titanic World title fights with Randy Caballero and Lee Haskins.

But for all that he has achieved so far, Hall remains adamant the best could still be to come. First, he wants to beat Butler, avenging his 2014 defeat in an IBF World title fight in Newcastle. Then, he wants another rematch, this time with the WBA champion, Jamie McDonnell.

The winner of tonight’s fight is guaranteed a shot at whoever emerges victorious from McDonnell’s World title fight against Liborio Solis in Monaco next month. Hall is confident that will be McDonnell, and regards a showdown with the Yorkshireman as the perfect way to end his time in the ring.

“I know I’m coming towards the end of my career, but I’m going to bow out on my own terms,” said Hall, who entered the ring at the Darlington & District Club for his first professional contest almost a decade ago. “I’ve had some ups and downs in my career, but I haven’t battled my way back over the last year or so to leave like this.

“I know I can beat Butler, then it’ll be onwards and upwards to try to become a two-time World champion. That’s what I want my legacy to be.

“That’s what’s been driving me on, and the first part is a win in Liverpool. Getting a World title shot is a massive incentive, but to be honest, just beating Butler will be satisfying enough anyway.”

There is no love lost between tonight’s opponents, with the memory of 2014’s contest providing an intriguing backdrop. Butler’s view is that he beat Hall fair and square first time around, and the hometown fighter is confident he will do so again. Hall claims to have been underprepared three years ago, both mentally and physically, and argues his subsequent record is far superior to that of his opponent.

Hall also feels his sparring in the last few weeks will give him an edge, criticising Butler’s preparations while praising the quality of his own work with WBA super flyweight champion Kal Yafai.

“I’m a completely different fighter to when we first met,” said Hall. “I was raw back then. I’d just become World champion and was in a bit of whirlwind. I’m older and wiser now, and I’m stronger too.

“I couldn’t have done any more in the build-up to this fight.  I’ve been based down in Birmingham and my sparring has been brilliant. I’m strong enough that if it goes 12 rounds, I’ll be the one still throwing punches at the end. But I’m sharper now too. I really don’t see how Butler can handle me.”

Butler out-pointed Hall when they met in Newcastle, but the Liverpudlian anticipates a shorter contest this time around. He is nine years younger than his opponent, and claims Hall’s aggressive approach will play into his hands.

“My training has gone perfect, and you’re going to see a brilliant Paul Butler on Saturday night,” he said. “A lot better than the first fight. If he starts quick, I can see it ending early. The more pressure he brings, the more shots he will walk into.”

Hall is the outsider according to the bookmakers, but he has the backing of McDonnell, who will be at ringside to watch things unfold.

“This is a funny one because when we were trying to nail down the Butler fight, Stuey was with us, training with my brother,” said McDonnell. “He was wishing me well for the Butler fight, but in the space of a week, it swung to me wishing him well on fighting him.

“I don’t think there’s much in it to be fair, but I just think Stuey wants it more and if he takes it to Butler, he could force a good points win. It’s a tasty little fight, that’s for sure.”

It is a busy evening for North-East boxing, with West Rainton’s Martin Ward also in action as he takes on Spain’s Abigail Medina for the European Super-Bantamweight title.

Ward is a former English and Commonwealth champion, who once took on Hall for the World belt, and the 29-year-old is hoping to achieve the biggest success of his career in Hartlepool’s Borough Hall.

“To win the European title in the same venue the great Hartlepool fighter Michael Hunter did would be a dream come true,” said Ward. “It would be nice to add the European belt to the Commonwealth one I have, but enjoying boxing is what it is all about for me.

“Medina is a sharp shooter who looks for single counters, big looping right hands. He wouldn’t be European champion if he couldn’t box a little bit. He’s good, but as I’ve always said, on my night, I’m as good as anyone.”