Hall takes one step closer to the ring
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday July 29, 2009
FORMER Swans superstar Barry Hall is set to travel to the United States next month to be ringside at the Danny Green-Roy Jones jnr double-header in an indication he is serious about a possible move to boxing.Hall, who quit the Sydney Swans three weeks ago after yet another controversy over striking an opponent, has attracted interest from a number of AFL clubs, including the Western Bulldogs, but is undecided about his future and has put negotiations on hold.However, the 32-year-old has confirmed an interest in boxing, and it is understood he could be in Green's corner for his August 15 world title fight with Argentine Jose Cesar Dominguez on the undercard to the Jones-Jeff Lacy bout in Biloxi, Mississippi.The double-header is a lead-up to a Green-Jones match-up in Australia later this year, which is dependent on them each winning their respective bouts. If they do, there is speculation that Hall could make his professional boxing debut on the undercard of that fight.Green, who has been encouraging Hall to make the move into the ring for more than 18 months and spent several weeks training with him last year, was coy when asked after his final sparring session before heading to the US about the former Victorian junior boxing champion's plans."Barry knows our position but we're not aware of where he sits because he hasn't made his mind up yet so the decision is up to Barry," Green said."If he decides to come to the sport of boxing, he knows where we are, he knows where we stand and he's comfortable with what lies ahead in the sport of boxing if he chooses that route so we're all on the same page. But he may decide to play football."Asked if Hall had left it too late to start a career in the ring, Green said: "He's not too old, he's a bigger guy, and they naturally tend to physically mature and peak at an older age. Physically, he's in good shape, he hasn't had any career-ending injuries that have harmed his future so I think he is in a good place if he wants to box or if he wants to play football. It's up to him, he's got a very bright future one way or the other."Hall is believed to be skiing in Victoria but he is expected to meet Green before the 36-year-old former WBA light-heavyweight champion's departure on Sunday.The fight will be Green's second since ending his shock one-year retirement with a second-round knockout of South Africa's Anthony van Niekerk in April at Perth's Challenge Stadium, and is for the vacant IBO cruiserweight world title."He's the current South American light-heavyweight champion so he's stepping up to cruiserweight as well," Green said."We're both going to come in around 83 kilograms or 84kg so we're both going to be around the same weight. He's a big strong guy and a very good puncher so it's going to be an exciting fight while it lasts."I've trained for 12 rounds because anything can happen but the way we both fight ... I can't see it going the distance."
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald