Margate boxer Takaloo will start Thursday night’s Prizefighter contest as one of the favourites to land the £32,000 winner’s cheque.

The live Sky Sports knock-out tournament features eight light middleweight fighters who are all aiming to take the much-coveted crown.

Takaloo (pictured), who won world titles during a glittering professional career which spanned from 1997 to 2008, made his comeback fight a fortnight ago with a points victory over Steve Spence.

Despite a lack of action in the three years he will be giving it all to recapture some of the glory days and insists he is still a man to be feared.

He said: “I'm sparring with guys ten years younger than me and playing with them, then when we go running, they can't keep up with me.

“When training gets hard and I can't get out of bed, then I'll know it's time to stop. I don't box for money, I box to be a champion - I don't need the money, but I love winning and love competing.

“These boys won't want to face me as I'll be the toughest competitor they've ever been in with.

“Everyone wants me and that's a good thing. The people I've sparred with and got in the ring with me can't believe how tough I am, even Daniel Santos back in 2008 said that I was the toughest man he had fought and his face was bashed up.”

Takaloo, now 35, has stayed in good shape over the last few years. He weighted in at 11st 1lb 5oz and is ready for this new challenge.

He said: “I've been focusing on my family and my properties, but I've kept healthy and in shape and when the opportunity came along, I was on the weight already so it was a no-brainer to take it.

“Sparring and training has been great, it really is like they say, you never lose the instincts.

“Some boxers let themselves go when they quit, or even between fights, but I've always been in great shape and looked after myself and hopefully the game will look after me.”

Thursday’s contest at York Hall is sold out but viewers can watch live on Sky Sports. WBC Super-Middleweight champion Carl Froch will perform the draw for the quarter-finals. Competing alongside Takaloo are Kris Agyei-Dua, former Big Brother contestant JJ Bird, Wayne Goddard, Steve Harkin, Nick Quigley, Jeff Thomas, Peter Vaughan and reserves are Robert Lloyd-Taylor and Nathan Weise.