The Darlington-born boxer became the town's first world boxing champion and only the second fighter from the North East to win a world title. Now, he volunteers with the organisation, delivering boxing sessions and motivational talks. Darlington-born boxing world champion, Stuart Hall. Evolve Academy hosts sessions at sites in Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Hartlepool, Gateshead, and Newcastle. He went on to defy expectations by becoming the oldest bantamweight world champion in history at almost 34.