In an exclusive conversation with Braggingrightscorner.com Kassim Ouma expressed frustration at the turn of events which will prevent him from fighting Verno Phillips for the vacant IBF Light Middleweight crown. The fight was scheduled for Saturday, June 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime Championship Boxing.

Kassim told us that after experiencing trouble breathing this morning (Tuesday) he was taken to a local hospital, and following a thorough examination which included X-Rays, he was diagnosed with a sprain of the thoracic spine with muscle spasms. It was the doctor's recommendation that Ouma pull out of this fight.

Laboring a bit as he spoke to us Kassim sent this message to his many fans: "I don't want anybody to think I'm scared of Verno because I'm not. I have fought hurt before, but I couldn't breathe and there was no way I could fight like that."

The charismatic Ugandan went on to say, "I want to be 100% when I fight, I owe it to myself, I owe it to the fans, it's the right thing to do."

No word on a new opponent for Phillips or a replacement fight at this time.

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