Kudus: Couzens to blame if grudge match doesn't happen

And the prospect of an autumn clash has sparked a war of words between the pair.

Both Leigh Park’s Kudus and Titchfield’s Couzens are preparing for contests this month.

But it is a potential Portsmouth meeting in October which has stoked the fire between the rivals.

That’s after Couzens called out Kudus earlier this year, following the 31-year-old’s first pro defeat to Karl Wheeler.

Kudus was insistent he needed a break from boxing after the loss and two contests in five weeks.

But Couzens was adamant he was running from scared from him.

Now Kudus has had his say on the subject and vowed he’s happy to taken on the man due to meet Wadi Camacho for the Southern Area title on July 16.

And the London-based puncher insisted Couzens will be to blame if the meeting doesn’t take place.

Kudus said: ‘Couzens called me out within 48 hours of my first loss to Wheeler.

‘That fight caught people’s attention, but my team told me to have a rest and we were looking for the Wheeler rematch.

‘He came out and said I was making excuses for not fighting him, but that wasn’t the case.

‘Couzens had been inactive and looking for a fight. I’d had two fights in five weeks.

‘The bottom line is we never said we didn’t want the fight. We wanted the fight.

‘Whatever happens to Danny Couzens in the Southern Area fight, we’ve asked to fight him in October.

‘We’ve been told they will put in on. There’s no reason for the fight not to take place.

‘It could be a massive Pompey fight.

‘If the fight doesn’t happen it’s Danny Couzens who doesn’t want the fight to happen.’

Kudus makes his return next Saturday after his two-round loss to Wheeler in March.

Croatia’s Tomislav Rudan will be his opponent at Liquid nightclub as the 5-1 looks to return to winning ways.

Rudan took Wheeler the distance over six rounds, so the challenge for Kudus will be to look better than his old foe did against the durable cruiserweight.

The Leigh Park ace was keen on a rematch with Wheeler, and was initially encouraged that would take place.

He now has his doubts that taking on the Peterborough man is on the cards, as he searches for titles.

Kudus has been gearing up for his next outing at Limehouse Gym in London under trainer Barry Smith.

Heavyweight Tom Little has provided some testing sparring, and 31-year-old feels ready for action.

‘Training has gone well and I’m looking forward to fighting in Portsmouth,’ he said.

‘Wheeler doesn’t want the fight, it appears.

‘He had a fight lined up and said we’d talk afterwards, but he’s gone back on that. He doesn’t want the fight.

‘They’ve backed away from that, so I have to look at going down another route to get my career going.

‘Sparring is going well. I’m finishing camp and am ready to go.

‘I’ve just want to get out there now and get going.’

Kudus supporters can buy tickets for his contest with Rudan on the Portsmouth fight night from Library Barbers Club Of Southsea, Victoria Road South, priced £35 and £55 (ringside).