Takaloo - Rock is a cartoon character
Takaloo has labelled Jim Rock “a cartoon character” and insists that he will be rubbing out his challenge in spectacular fashion when they clash for the vacant WBU light-middleweight title in Belfast’s Odyssey Arena tonight.
Takaloo is bidding to regain the WBU crown he vacated last summer when stepping up to face WBO champion Daniel Santos, losing on points after an absorbing 12 rounds, and he is brimming with confidence.
Irish champion Rock calls himself the Pink Panther and is taking a significant step up in class having boxed mainly on the undercards of boxing bills across Britain, holding a record of 21 wins and two defeats.
One of those losses came at the hands of former WBO title challenger Ensley Bingham.
Takaloo can expect vociferous support for Rock but he is unfazed, particularly as he has been to the lion’s den before when winning the title with a first-round knockout of Manchester’s Anthony Farnell 18 months ago.
“If I can beat Farnell in Manchester I can certainly beat Rock, the Pink Panther. He’s a cartoon character,” said Takaloo.
“I couldn’t believe the Manchester fans. When I was walking to the ring they were spitting on me, booing, trying to kick me – it was awful but I blocked it all out and focused on the fight.
“To be honest, all I can remember is the changing room after the fight. I was so focused. I don’t expect the Belfast fans to be like that, they know their boxing.
“It doesn’t matter to me what the crowd is like, I’m focused on getting the belt. Rock is strong but he hasn’t been active and he hasn’t boxed at this level. I’ve proved that I’m world-class.
“Once I get this out of the way then I can start looking again at getting into some big fights.
“I’m determined to put on a wicked show for the Irish fans. I reckon I’ll knock him out in the late rounds.”
Belfast hero Neil Sinclair aims to become only the fourth Northern Irishman to win a Lonsdale outright when he makes the third defence of his British welterweight title against Welshman Bradley Pryce, who enters the fight with a court appearance hanging over his head.
Sinclair is eager to stay on track for a world title fight later in the year and is keen to demonstrate that he is the best in Britain, despite the claims of IBO champion Jawaid Khaliq and Commonwealth champion James Hare.
“Khaliq and Hare don’t want to fight me. They just say they want to be well paid but I’ve been told that their promoter Tommy Gilmour doesn’t want them anywhere near me,” said Sinclair.
“I’m focused on getting the Lonsdale belt because this is a childhood dream for me. Only three other men from Northern Ireland have won it.
“Pryce is a good fighter, he has been a good lightweight and light-welterweight but I am a true welterweight and when he gets hit he will know that. He will know the difference.”
