Pitters helps Dillion Whyte prepare for return with Joshua

Pitters…next fight at The Excelsior, Cannock

SHAKAN Pitters, former British light-heavyweight champ, is a very cool individual: immaculately attired and with chiselled features.

There’s no doubting that.

Away from the ring, the 33-year-old is building a successful career in modelling.

Yes, Shakan Pitters is, as they say, a cool dude. But, to put things into perspective, I’m a pensioner who wears a cloth cap and selects clothing for comfort, not style.

Jimmy Krankie would cut a dash next to this writer.

Birmingham’s Pitters may have interests outside the game, but he insists the paid sport remains his priority.

And on Thursday, September 28, he boxes again, this time at Scott Murray’s exclusive Excelsior Sporting Club in Cannock.

For the past two weeks, Shak has also served as sparring partner to Dillian Whyte as the heavyweight prepares for his August 12 return with Anthony Joshua.

“Dillian’s what I call a ‘real one’,” Shak said, “he’s not going to change his ways to suit others. If you know him, he’s a caring person. It’s good – he’s not going 100 per cent with me, but there are little things you take from it.

“I’m constantly taking opportunities where I can better myself, that’s what boxing is all about. We are forever learning.”

Pitters, unbeaten and near untouchable, appeared to have the world at his feet before being stopped by Craig Richards in the first defence of his Lonsdale Belt. Last year he gave Dan Azeez, now European champ, a very hard fight in an unsuccessful bid to reclaim his old title.

On September 28, the major televised shows will be replaced by the Excelsior’s more intimate atmosphere. Shak’s inclusion on the bill represents a real coup for Scott Murray.

“It’s about staying busy,” he said. “I have nothing against dinner shows, but it’s the first and probably last time I’ll be on one.

“I don’t believe I’m better than anyone else, but I want to be back headlining on big TV shows. There are other good Birmingham boxers coming through and seeing me operate on the show (the Excelsior) will, hopefully, help them.”

Shakan, who has a seven-year-old daughter, insists the hunger is still there, that he’s wiser and better for the setbacks.

“I don’t let what’s happening outside the ring distract me,” he said. “I know I’m a good fighter. If you beat me, you have to be something special.

“I’m more focussed. Before I was always looking on social media, at Twitter, to see what people were saying about me, now I’m doing the best things for myself, I’ve taken that pressure off my shoulders.

“I’m very disciplined. Boxing is my bread and butter and I’m fully focused on that.

“Dan Azeez did what he had to do. There was a lot of personal stuff going into that fight. I lost my younger sister and a close cousin. I was scrapping with him because there was a lot of built-up frustration.

“If you saw my last fight (a May points win over Joel McIntyre) I had got rid of that – I won every minute, every second of that fight. My head was in a better place.

“If I was to face Dan again now, I’d beat him. If I was to face Craig again now, I’d beat him.”

Those who attend The Excelsior are treated to a night of elegance outside the ring. Shakan will be providing the elegance inside it.