Oscar Hall has vowed to get back on the winning track after spectacularly losing his unbeaten tag in his hometown last year.

The Darlington light welterweight suffered a second round knockout to Gary Reid of Stoke at the Dolphin Centre and there were few complaints as Hall lost his proud 24-fight unbeaten run.

Although the manner of the defeat came as a shock, the fact Hall lost at all was a bigger surprise as the 28-year-old had been on a steady climb up the boxing ladder having accumulated a strong of victories since turning pro in 1999. He looked certain to be given a crack at a title.

But Reid halted Hall's title dreams with an accomplished display and since that October bout Hall lost again, this time by two rounds against tough Irish opponent, Francis Barrett, who fought at the last Olympic Games.

But, far from down, Hall says he's come though the defeats a better boxer and is determined to bounce back in style.

On March 5 the Dolphin Centre hosts another evening of boxing with local heroes Argie Ward and Francis Jones also on the bill.

And Hall will step back into the ring in his hometown for the first time since leaving a beaten man five months ago, and he's determined to put on a good show.

"Without a doubt I want to get back to winning ways," says Hall.

"For that fight in Darlington I was ready physically because I trained well, but I wasn't ready mentally and I've learned from that.

"But I feel I'm going to come back stronger. I don't even know who I'm going to be fighting in March, I never take much interest in who my opponent is.

"I just do my training and get myself prepared."

Hall insists he's still in line for a title attempt, but admits the back-to-back defeats have set him back.

He said: "As I see it I've hit a stumbling block, it was a hiccup and that happens to 99 per cent of people in boxing.

"I took the fight against the Irish lad and you could say I should've took an easier fight after being beaten two months before. I lost the first four rounds and I was starting to think my confidence was gone, but I came back into it and by the end only lost by two rounds."

* Tickets are available from promoter Dave Garside on 079737 92588 and the Dolphin Centre.