MARGATE'S world champion boxer Takaloo had his toughest title fight so far before completing the second successful defence of his WBU light-middleweight crown.

Takaloo stopped his old friend and rival Gary Logan in the 10th round at the York Hall, Bethnal Green. But the 33-year-old from Croydon survived the onslaught of the first two rounds to cause Takaloo real concerns as the initiative swung between the fighters in a full-blooded contest.

Takaloo finally wore down his rival who had no complaints when the referee, former Gillingham fighter Ian John Lewis, stepped in to save him from further punishment in the 10th.

Takaloo said: "It was a tremendously tough fight. He was fighting like a 19-year-old."

Logan responded: "With some of the punches I was taking I feel 50.

"I boxed as well as I could. I thought if I could survive the first three rounds I could start wearing him down.Ian was right to stop it when he did. I wasn't punching back at the time."