Akufo title fight off after Taylor storms out (From Dudley News)

Akufo title fight off after Taylor storms out

4:14pm Sunday 13th May 2012 in Sport

SIMON Akufo’s world title defence is off after opponent Scot Taylor dramatically pulled out at the eleventh hour.

Halesowen’s kickboxing king was due to make the first defence of his WKF welterweight crown tonight at Sutton Coldfield’s Ramada Hotel.

But the much-anticipated clash is off after Taylor stormed off following yesterday’s weigh-in, after failing to make the 67kg weight limit.

Taylor weighed in just a single gram over the limit but refused to lose the weight when asked by Akufo and even questioned the accuracy of the scales.

Akufo, who weighed in at 66.7kg, claims he then agreed to take the fight despite Taylor’s weight issue – only to be told late last evening his opponent had pulled out.

A stunned Akufo said: “I can’t really believe it. It’s not often I’m speechless but yesterday I was.

“I said I would take the fight in any case, even if he didn’t make the weight. If I had to fight someone who was 20 stone I would do it because I’ve got 250 people coming to watch me fight and I don’t want to let them down.

“For him to pull out like this just isn’t on. You just don’t do something like this with a world title fight.

“I don’t mind anyone who quits on their stool but to come to the weigh-in and lose the plot like that just isn’t right.”

Akufo will now meet light-heavyweight Ryan Coley in a ten round non-title fight. Check back later for a full report on the night.