Darren Till has admitted that he is ‘gutted’ by the cancellation of his boxing return that was due next week in Manchester.
The former UFC welterweight title contender was set to face Darren Stewart in the co-main event of Misfits Boxing’s ‘Unfinished Business’ event. However, KSI has been forced out of the main event where he was due to face Dillon Danis with an illness.
This has left an entire undercard unclear on their next steps, with the promotion promising a new date by next week. However, with Danis currently scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson on May 24 in Los Angeles for the GFL, his availability may be limited in the coming weeks.
Darren Till speaks out after KSI vs Dillon Danis cancellation costs him boxing comeback
Perhaps the most exciting fight that was scheduled for next weekend was Darren Till’s comeback to the ring after knocking out Anthony Taylor in January. He looked nearly back to his best as he obliterated the outsized American, and was now due to face Darren Stewart, an ex-UFC star his own size.
However, all of the fights have now been cancelled, with Till issuing a statement on Instagram saying: “KSI’s pulled out with injury or illness, one or the other. So obviously yous know me I’ll fight anywhere any weight any time.
“But the show couldn’t be done so I think they’re postponing for a few weeks. I’m gutted, I was on my way to do my last track session, I’m full of black eyes I’ve been deep in the trenches as they say, weight’s good, I feel good.
“Weight’s good when you can have a little Powerade a week before. Them sort of things help but I just wanted to let all yous know. I was looking forward to a great night, great fight, stuff like that.
“Darren’s a good opponent but I was obviously going to beat him. This s— happens, it’s not my first rodeo, I’ve been in this game 20 years now. I’m only 32 doing it since I was 12 so I know how the script goes.”
KSI vs Dillon Danis undercard devastated as fight card is cancelled
Till’s more measured response wasn’t necessarily the tact of other heartbroken fighters set to compete on the night. While the fights are expected to be rescheduled, as of now there is no new date and fighters who were due to be paid tens of thousands have now lost money on training camps.
Undercard lightweight Argentinian King tweeted: “My dog passed away yesterday and I couldn’t even go and say goodbye.
“I borrowed money to finish the December camp that got reschedule and I had to borrow more money to finish this camp to pay housing, coaches, transportation. I have my family and a friend flying to Manchester.”
This was compounded by Fox ‘The G’ Townley, who wrote: “It’s just tough when you’ve had 3 full camps in a row away from home and you can’t show your improvements, haven’t been paid… Obviously it’s not their fault, things happen. It’s just unfortunate. You want to put on a show”
Chase DeMoor, who was due to face Tyson Fury’s brother Roman Fury in a heavyweight title fight, added: “I never missed a day…. I’ve trained until my hands bled. I missed birthdays, funerals… I traveled across the world.
“I spent so much money time and effort. And I’m not even sad for me, I’m sad for my team. My coaches, my friends, my family who went through this with me. Most of all I’m sorry to the fans… I did my absolute best to promote this for you guys. Truly from the bottom of my heart, I am so f—ing sorry.”