Ross Minter has been warming up for his shot at the vacant English title by sparring with a former world title challenger.

The Crawley welterweight has been put though his paces by Margate-based light-middleweight Takaloo, who unsuccessfully challenged Daniel Santos for the WBO crown in 2002, as he prepares for tomorrow's clash with Brett James.

Minter is on the undercard of the big heavyweight showdown between Danny Williams and Audley Harrison for the vacant Commonwealth championship at the ExCeL Arena in London's Docklands and is hoping to catch the eye in front of a sell-out crowd.

Ross, son of former undisputed world middleweight champion Alan, said: "My training has been going very well.

"I have sparred with Takaloo, who is the WBU light-middleweight champion, and it has been going really well.

"I did eight rounds with him last week and I looked good against him. That was tough sparring and very good experience.

"It was nice that I coped well with a more experienced and stronger boxer, although, he is coming down to welterweight for his next fight."

Takaloo, who also fights on the undercard, had a nightmare 2004 which included defeat against Sussex-based Wayne Alexander and his career has stalled since he was tipped for top-level success.

Minter's career, by contrast, has gone from strength to strength.

He claimed the Southern Area welterweight title from the previously unbeaten Chas Symonds in April before making his first successful defence with a third-round stoppage of Sammy Smith in September.

The explosive Symonds fight gained Minter many new fans while the ruthless destruction of Smith added to his reputation as a boxer who carries a powerful punch.

However, Minter is not banking on dispatching 30-year-old James, who also includes a victory over Smith in 14 victories from 20 bouts, quite so quickly.

Minter used to spar with James at Maloney's Fight Factory when he first turned pro four years ago and will approach the fight with caution.

He said: "I'm feeling sharp and ready to go to war but this one should be more of a boxing match.

"He is a very good boxer, runs away quite a bit and has fast hands. He can take a really good shot so I'm not looking to knock him out straight away as that is probably not going to happen.

"If I catch him then I know he will go over. As in the Chas Symonds fight, if I rock someone I follow up on it and don't give them a second's rest.

"But I will stick to my boxing early on and put into practice what I have been learning. I can see myself being champion of England come tomorrow night."

Minter is on fourth on a packed card. The 27-year-old will have plenty of support and is glad that he is on early so he can see some of the later bouts, including the big heavyweight clash.

He said: "It is good for me as it gets everything over and done with. I'll win my fight and then watch the other fights.

"I've sold quite a few tickets so I will have plenty of family and fans coming to watch and cheer me on.

"A lot of T-shirts have been printed up by sponsors saying Ross the Boss so there will be an army of Ross the Boss people out there."

Minter, who has lost once and drawn once in 14 professional fights, is confident he will give his fans plenty to cheer.

He added: "I'm ready for the fight. I have been learning a lot of new things and I should be taking people like Brett apart in five or six rounds.

"But I am not going to go out there banging. I won't take him for granted and will just box him and hope the good shots come."