Exclusive by Sanjeev Shetty BBC Sport Online boxing editor

Takaloo is nervously waiting to find out from the Home Office whether he can stay in Britain and continue his boxing career.

The light middleweight moved to England from Iran 20 years ago and was granted "exceptional leave" to remain in 1998.

But that exception has now run out and Takaloo has applied for indefinite leave.

Since filing his application seven weeks ago, the boxer has not received any kind of reply and he is beginning to wonder whether his promising career is under threat.

"They can say no," Takaloo told BBC Sport Online.

"My life is in their hands.

"I've been with my girlfriend for a while and we have had a child together.

"I can remember four years ago, I was served up with removal papers, the police came round and that was quite scary - in the end, I was granted exceptional leave."

The 27-year-old challenged for the WBO light middleweight title earlier this year but was outpointed by Puerto Rican Daniel Santos.

He is considered one of the leading fighters at his weight in Great Britain but cannot fight for the British title as he is not a citizen of the country.

"I've been here for 20 years and this has been going on for too long.

"I know I have to apply to the Home Office - but it is just a shambles. And it's just putting me back in terms of my boxing career.

"I was supposed to go to America to spar with Oscar de la Hoya and other top fighters but I couldn't.

"My parents and my brothers are here - there is nothing for me in Iran," Takaloo said.

"I do lots of things for the local community in Margate (Kent) - I don't live on the dole and I pay my taxes.

"You might have to sort out a campaign for me!"

A spokeswoman for the Home Office told BBC Sport Online that anyone seeking exceptional or indefinite leave to stay in Great Britain will have their case reviewed individually.