It’s on and in the UK! GBM to stage Shak’s European title battle

GBM poster announces they’ll stage Pitters (left) Dos Santos fight

THE uncertainty is over. We now know Shakan Pitters will definitely fight for the European light-heavyweight title and it will definitely be on home soil. That is now out there.

All that’s left to be delivered is the venue and date.

Ambitious promoters GMB have won a protracted purse bidding battle to stage the Birmingham boxer’s contest with Frenchman Daniel Dos Santos for the vacant belt.

It’s been something of a saga. A French promoter originally won the rights to the bout, a date and venue close to Paris was announced, but the contest fell through. I understand the plug was pulled after TV coverage couldn’t be secured.

The 12-rounder went to the table again, GBM and a French outfit lodged identical purse bids and were invited to make increased offers. GBM emerged victorious.

On social media, GBM simply posted: “We are proud to announce that we have won the purse bid for this EBU light-heavyweight title bout. Fight date and more news coming soon…”

I have no doubt it will be early next year.

It’s golden opportunity for 35-year-old former British champ Pitters, approaching the twilight years of his career.

Dos Santos is strong, but beatable. Joshua Buatsi bounced him in four rounds four years ago. That’s is the 33-year-old “Panther’s” only loss in 22, but, Buatsi apart, he’s been carefully matched.

Pitter’s manager Jon Pegg said: “January 25 is the date that has been pencilled in. I think getting the fight over here is a very big advantage. It makes all the difference in the world.”

“Shak’s game is to box and keep opponents on the end of a long jab. It’s hard to win on points abroad, here he can get his nose in front and keep Dos Santos on the end of that long jab.”

Pitters appears to have the more solid CV.

He gained the British title in his 14th contest, barely losing a round on the way, by widely outpointing Chad Sugden.

But Craig Richards stalled Shak’s rise, scoring a stoppage in the champ’s first defence. Since then, his Eastside team have found it hard to secure meaningful fights.

Pitter was outpointed by Dan Azeez in a 2022 bid to reclaim the Lonsdale Belt and last fought 13 months ago at The Excelsior Sporting Club, Cannock. He has lost only two of 21.

This is his ticket back to the big time.

On social media, Pegg posted: “Big thanks to Izzy Asif and everybody at GBM for grafting hard and winning the purse bids for Shakan pitters euro title fight. Home advantage will be huge. Let’s get that title.”