Jamie McDonnell beats Stuart Hall to win British bantamweight title

It was McDonnell's 18th victory from his 21 fights

Doncaster's Jamie McDonnell, the European and Commonwealth bantamweight champion, added the British title to his collection after a unanimous points victory over Darlington's Stuart Hall.

Hall, 31, shaded the early rounds of a brilliant fight in Doncaster but McDonnell, 25, dominated from round seven onwards to take the decision.

The three judges ringside scored the fight 115-113, 116-114 and 116-113.

"I'm over the moon, my experience made the difference," said McDonnell.

Hall was the aggressor in the opening five rounds of the fight, landing the bigger punches of the two British fighters, but McDonnell's relentless body shots soon wore down his opponent.

McDonnell was noticeably lighter on his feet from round six onwards and almost floored his opponent a round later when catching Hall off balance with a right-hand uppercut.

Another uppercut in the eighth followed by a right-cross from McDonnell further disheartened Hall who was slipping behind on the judges' scorecards.

Both traded heavy shots in the 10th as Hall came back into the fight as the pace continued at a blistering pace.

Hall was cut in the 11th but still took the round, however, he went into the 12th knowing he needed a stoppage to win the fight.

But it was McDonnell who finished with a flourish as he showed his class and sealed the victory to take his record to 18 wins (seven stoppages), two defeats and one draw from 21 fights.

For Hall it was the first defeat of his 13-fight career.

"The better man won on the night," admitted Hall afterwards.