HALESOWEN kickboxing king Simon Akufo is hoping his excellent 2009 will continue as he bids to rule Europe once more.

Akufo, nicknamed Mr KO, takes on WKA European title holder Michael Johnson at the Second City Suites in Birmingham this Sunday.

The 27-year-old is looking to record his third victory of the year after bouncing back from a disappointing 2008, which saw him lose a world title contest narrowly on points before losing his own European title.

Akufo admits he is brimming with confidence.

He said: “My new year resolution was to make 2009 my year and so far I have done it.

“I have had two big international fights, both of them world title eliminators and I have done well in both.

“I’m back on track. Michael Johnson is in my way but I’m confident that by Sunday night the European belt will be mine.”

Akufo’s world title contest defeat came against Jason Vassallo last May, while he broke his foot during a defence of his own European belt against Sukhy Shoria last October.

Dubbed The Machine for his intense training regimes, Akufo believes the experience of defeat has made him a stronger and better fighter.

He said: “They were two high profle fights, there was a lot of attention and that can be difficult.

“You have to learn from it, if you don’t you may as well give up.

“I have definitely taken a lot away from them, I know I can now do 12 rounds.

“Going over those fights there were certain things I had did wrong and certain things I did right.

“There’s a few things I have carried over into this training camp and a few things I have changed.”

The fight is being promoted by four times world champion Kash Gill and the bill also features Birmingham’s Paul Bradbury bidding for his own European crown.

Akufo hailed the atmosphere at Gill's gym and admitted it had helped with training.

He added: "It's a great team spirit, everyone trains together.

"When you feel yourself getting tired and think you can't do any more, there is always someone there to push you to the next level."

Tickets are priced at £20 with £15 for juniors, while VIP packaages are available at £50.

Doors open at 5pm with the action getting underway at 6pm.

For tickets call 07973 421690.