Shak is back! Pitters faces crucial contest

Shakan Pitters…looking to get back in big time

SHAKAN Pitters walks a career tightrope when he enters the ring against Joel McIntyre on the major, televised Boxxer bill at Resorts World, Birmingham, on May 6.

One slip against McIntyre and the former British light-heavyweight champ faces a long, long haul back to the big time and big money. At 33, Shakan may not have the time or appetite for such a trek.

Impress before the TV cameras and Shakan is back in the mix. Remember, there’s a mouth-watering derby out there – a bout against English titleholder Ricky Summers which would also carry British eliminator status. Ricky, from Wombourne, took the English crown from McIntyre on points last month.

To that degree, next month’s eight rounder could be make-or-break for the talented, 6ft 6ins boxer.

Those are the choppy waters Pitters now finds himself battling after possitively cruising his journey to the Lonsdale Belt. Back then, likeable Shakan could do no wrong.

He should have too much for Portsmouth’s McIntyre who, in the tussle with Summers, fought like a man who had seen better days. At 35 and with 26 bouts to his name, McIntyre may be nearing the end.

But the veteran can still “bang” – and Summers definitely felt some of the heavy shots thrown by McIntyre. He simply didn’t throw enough of them.

So there’s danger for Shakan who is having his first contest since being outpointed by Dan Azeez in a bid to regain his old British title eight months ago.

He has to stay focused and “on point” throughout.

Away from the game, Pitters is doing very well for himself. His modelling career is flourishing, there are a number of business ventures.

Those outside interests can prove distractions. Pitters cannot afford to be distracted.

We should remind ourselves that the Eastside boxer has accumulated little wear and tear. We should remind ourselves how accomplished he looked on the way to glory.

Very big things were expected of the athlete.

I can’t recall him dropping a round on the way to being Britain’s best. He came to national prominence by taking the Ultimate Boxxer title in 2018, comprehensively outpointed Dec Spelman for the English belt a year later and dominated Chad Sugden for the Lonsdale Belt in 2020.

Disaster struck in his first defence, against Craig Richards. Shakan was dropped in the fourth, but showed a champion’s courage to battle back from the brink and pile-up points before getting clobbered again and stopped in the ninth.

Pitters rebounded well from his first loss. He looked back to his best in racking up two wins before halting dangerous Reece Cartwright for an international honours.

Then came Azeez – and Pitters can take some solace from what the Londoner has gone on to achieve. He was competitive, in the fight throughout, but the difference was that Dan found another gear when needed.

Now Shak is back. It’s a must win and he needs to look good doing it.

The man – a thoroughly likeable individual outside the ring who has devoted himself to community work – deserves more memorable nights.