Pitters: I’ll be back in contention for titles

Shakan Pitters…”I know what I have to do to beat Joel”

TALL, elegant light-heavy Shakan Pitters faces a crunch, crossroads fight on Saturday’s major Resorts World bill, televised by Sky Sport.

Birmingham’s former British champ knows he needs to beat Pompey warrior Joel McIntyre if he is to return to the path of major titles and big money bouts. The fights is scheduled for eight rounds.

The 33-year-old – a model by day – certainly hasn’t picked a “gimme” contest for his ring return after being outpointed by Dan Azeez in a bid to regain the Lonsdale belt. There’s only one other defeat on Shak’s 19 fight CV: Back in 2020, Craig Richards stopped him for the title.

His has been a glorious career to date. He’s also held the English title and, back in 2018, won the prestigious – and lucrative – Ultimate Boxxer tournament.

McIntyre, a former English champ, may have seen better days at the age of 35, but he’s experienced and carries a healthy dig.

In March, Joel lost his domestic title – on points – to our own Ricky Summers at The Hangar, Wolverhampton. After 26 fights, he, too, needs a win to re-establish himself as a top contender.

Pitters – looking dapper in jacket and waistcoast – told today’s (Thursday’s) press conference: “It feels good to be back in Birmingham, it’s got to be three or four years since I boxed here.

Joel McIntyre…”I’ll take it out of the judges hands”

“I feel boxing is a sport where you have to keep on improving, you have to have open ears. Dan Azeez is a good fighter and I’m going to get back in contention and push for those belts.

“Joel will come and try to take it with both hands. I know what I have to do.

“I want to push for more titles. There are good fights out there for me, but I’m not over-looking Joel, he’s a good fighter.”

McIntyre, squat and powerfully built, admitted Shakan posed a potential “nightmare”.

He told the press pack: “This fight is a big opportunity, I need to stay focused. I like to come forward and walk people down and that suits a tall guy (like Pitters).

“This fight is five to six years coming. We were both in Ultimate Boxxer. I was preparing for Pitters in the final. It didn’t happen because (on the night) I was the victim of a bad decision, I believe.

“With fights, I always like to take it out of the judges hands. My plan is to get him (Pitters) out of there. We’ll do our bit.”