TRAINER Jim McDonnell says Takaloo is in good shape ahead of his Southern Area light-middleweight title fight against Anthony Small at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday night.

The 32-year-old former WBU welterweight champion fights for the first time since losing his crown to Michael Jennings in Cardiff last April.

McDonnell, back with the Margate boxer after a spell apart, said speaking earlier this week: "Takaloo has trained well, and looks to be in a good frame of mind.

"He has been showing the right attitude and has a good game plan. Small is a heavy puncher, and a bit of a character."

The fight goes ahead despite the top-of-the-bill clash being called off after British super-featherweight champion Carl Johanneson pulled out of his fight with Commonwealth champion Kevin Mitchell.

Mitchell now defends his Commonwealth crown against Ghanaian Thomas Aryeetey, the West African and Ghanaian super-featherweight champion.