By Mark Vester

Mehrdud Takaloo will finally return to the ring on April 7, against Manchester’s former British champion Michael Jennings, making the first defense of the WBU welterweight title he won back in May from Eamonn Magee.

The bout falls on the undercard to WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe’s defense against Peter Manfredo, Jr.

“It’s frustrating as by the time April 7 comes I’ll have been out for the best part of a year. I was ready to fight before the end of the year but nothing came up. But to be honest, Jennings hasn’t been too active either so I’m not too concerned," Takaloo said.