FORMER Halesowen kick boxing world champion Simon “Mr KO” Akufo is starting the road back to global glory with a European title fight on June 8.

It will be the first time that Akufo has been in the ring since losing his world crown to the imperious Russian Ilya Usachev in a brutal world title unification fight six months ago.

Akufo’s comeback fight sees him contesting the European World Kickboxing Association title against 26-year-old Lincoln banger Aaron Robinson, who has had a recent run of impressive wins.

Halesowen’s Akufo is under no illusions how important the fight at the Irish Centre in Birmingham is on Saturday, June 8 and even hinted at retirement if he loses.

The 31-year-old said: “If I lose this fight it could be the end of my career so I am putting a lot of pressure on myself before the bout.

“However, I want to be world champion again, I want to get my belt back so getting the European title is a step towards that goal.

“Aaron has been in with some contenders so if I beat him then it will be a springboard back to fighting at a world level.

Akufo is honest enough to admit losing to the destructive world champion Russian Ilya Usachev, who he could have dodged fighting, has left its mark.

The former Windsor High School pupil said: “I want to be the best in the world so in my mind I had to fight Usachev despite everyone telling me to avoid him.

“I got stopped and my nose was broken in the first round so obviously I have had some demons to overcome before returning.

“I have thought “what happens if I get caught with the same shot that broke my nose?” but I have been training constantly and am feeling in great condition.”

“Another big motivation for me is to be a European Champion for the third time and then I can try and get a shot a world title hopefully by the end of the year, I want my belt back.”

Simon Akufo fights Aaron Robinson on Saturday, June, at Birmingham’s Irish Centre in Digbeth, doors open at 6pm and the first fight on the bill starts at 7pm.

For tickets phone 07918 872 571 and follow Simon Akufo on Twitter @MrKoAkufo.