Lee Haskins defeats Stuart Hall to retain IBF bantamweight crown… and pair even hug after the fight

LEE HASKINS retained his IBF bantamweight title via unanimous decision as he notched a second victory over bitter rival Stuart Hall.

The Bristol southpaw, 32, had beaten Hall on points back in 2012 and he repeated the trick once again, with the judges scoring it 115-113, 117-111, 116-112 in his favour.

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He said: "I thought I was winning the fight clearly with my shots. You try boxing this guy. He just keeps coming forward and there's no coming back.

"Take it from me — he hits very hard and I'm not stupid enough to stand there and show I'm the toughest man in Britain. I'm here to win the fight and get paid."

The animosity between the duo was highlighted at the end of the third round when Hall shunned a touch of gloves.

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But they put their differences aside at the final bell with a traditional embrace.

Disappointed Hall, 36, added: "It was close. The judges never had it close but I started a bit too late. It was silly and it's a bad night.

"I thought I did enough to maybe nick it at the end but in the first few rounds I didn't do enough."