Takaloo Ends Ring Hiatus For Shot At Prizefighter Glory

Former two-weight World champ Takaloo tops the bill for the Prizefighter Light-Middleweights II at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Thursday 15 September – leading a classic mix of fighters aiming to triumph live on Sky Sports.

Tickets are now on sale for the 20th edition of Matchroom Sport’s eight-man, one night tournaments which sees a reality TV star, unbeaten novices and young hopefuls all join the former WBU Light-Middleweight and Welterweight belt holder Takaloo, who recently applied for a license from the board and must come through a warm-up test before the night.

The hugely popular ‘Margate Rock’ returns to the ring from a three year absence and hopes to roll back the years to the days he fought in title showdowns with the likes of Anthony Farnell, Wayne Alexander, Michael Jennings and Eamonn Magee.

Adding some razzmatazz to proceedings is Peterborough’s JJ Bird finished, the 24 year-old who finished fourth in the last series of Big Brother, who will bank on support from flatmate Aston Merrygold from pop group JLS as he returns to the ring after two years out of action.

Peter Vaughan is one of three unbeaten fighters in the line-up, and ‘The Raging Bull’ will be full of confidence after outpointing previously unbeaten Phill Fury in a real war on the Tyson Fury vs. Dereck Chisora undercard at Wembley Arena on Saturday, taking his record to three wins and one draw.

Hampshire fighter Wayne Goddard takes a 9-0 record into the tournament while Brentwood’s Kris Agyei-Dua has three points wins to his name since making his pro debut at 30 years-old in February.

All of former Amateur star Daniel Herdman’s pro dates have been at York Hall so the ‘Hurricane’ from Stevenage, who won the Junior ABAs before turning pro in 2007, will feel right at home as he guns for the trophy.

Steve Harkin’s place in the line-up came down to his loyal followers, as fans of the 29 year-old from Liverpool began a campaign on Twitter that sees the 5-1-2 fighter become the seventh name in the mix, with promoters Matchroom Sport hoping to name the final contender early next week.

As previously announced, for the first time in Prizefighter the draw will be made in the ring on the night, and before the action begins we will see the first “Prizefighter Prospect” in action as Matchroom Sport offer a young boxer the chance to fight in front of a big crowd before the eight Prizefighters battle for the title and the £32,000 winner’s cheque – with Ryan “Crash Bang” Taylor the first fighter to be offered this golden opportunity.

Tickets for Prizefighter Welterweights II at York Hall, Bethnal Green in east London are available from Matchroom Sport priced £35 unreserved, £60 ringside and £100 VIP – to buy call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.