KENT boxer Takaloo has been forced to pull out of his first WBU welterweight title defence against Michael Jennings at the Reebok Centre in Bolton on Saturday week.

The Thanet-based fighter has damaged his right hand in training.

The Iranian-born boxer, nicknamed the Margate Rock, was injured in a sparring session with Danny Downer nearly a month ago, but withdrew from the fight on Monday on doctors' advice.

Takaloo said: "I caught him on top of the head, and I think it hurt me more than it did him. I have hurt the joint on the right hand, but have been told it's nothing serious.

"I had hoped to still fight but there's no point in going into the ring with a niggly pain and not being 100 per cent fit. I don't want to win on points, I wanted a knockout."

Takaloo won the title on points beating holder Eamonn Magee in Belfast in May.