TAKALOO is back in the county enjoying life as the new WBU welterweight champion after his surprise win over holder Eamonn Magee in Belfast on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Iranian-born British fighter silenced his own critics and a 8000 sell-out crowd inside King’s Hall to win a majority verdict over holder Magee to revive a career that seemed over 20 months ago.

Knocked out inside two minutes of the second round by Croydon’s Wayne Alexander in their WBU Light Middleweight title fight at York Hall in Bethnal Green, things looked bleak for the man nicknamed "Margate Rock".

However, he returned to the ring in July last year beating London journeyman Delroy Mellis, before moving down to welterweight, winning the WBU International title against German Turguy Uzan in February this year.

Takaloo said: "People had written me off, said I was finished and washed up, but now I am feeling good and looking forward to my next fight in Manchester in July."

Promoter Frank Warren promised the winner of Saturday’s fight a tilt at the world championship, but both fighters were criticised for the tactics used in the fight which two judges, Mickey Vann and Karl Rogers awarded to Takaloo, while the other Reg Thompson, surprised everybody at ringside by calling a draw.

Takaloo defended his approach saying: "I had to do what I did to win the fight. My game plan was to take him the distance and that’s what I did.

"He has never been knocked out as either an amateur or pro, and is a durable opponent, and knows how to survive. He wasn’t in it from the sixth round onwards, but it takes two people to make a fight."

A disappointed Magee who suiffered a cut to his left eye in the closing stages demanded a re-match immediately after the fight.

He said: "It was absolutely shattering for me. I want a re-match, in Margate if he likes, and I don’t think the judges should have given the fight to either of us, that was ballet dancing not boxing."

Expert summariser and former WBA featherweight champion, Kent-based Barry McGuigan, who himself experienced some great nights at the Belfast venue, said: "Takaloo wasn’t at his best, but his clever tactics won him the fight.

"He’s one of the best welterweights in the country and he is up there with Kevin Anderson, Young Muttley, Michael Jennings and Tony Doherty.

"I'm not too sure he’s ready for a world title title against the likes of Antonio Margarita, Floyd Mayweather or Ricky Hatton."