Shak stays sharp by dominating Sharp
Steve Bunce waits to interview Pitters after victory. Pictures: MICHAEL AULT
A BIG fight looms on the horizon for Shakan Pitters, trainer Paul “Soggy” Counihan hinted last night.
And in preparation, the tall former British light-heavyweight champ kept reflexes sharp with six round target practice against Darryl Sharp in the plush surroundings of Cannock’s Excelsior Club.
The Birmingham 34-year-old lanced southpaw Sharp with stinging jabs, punished his body and opened the throttle in the last round for a whitewash six round victory, 60-54, on referee Peter McCormack’s card.
The only thing missing was the stoppage, but this was about banking rounds. And trying to KO Sharp – a defensive maestro – is akin to catching fog in a jam jar.
“We’re trying for a big fight,” Counihan said in the dressing room afterwards, “a top name, anywhere in the world.
“We’d love (former Commonwealth champ) Lyndon Arthur. Shak is coming to the twilight of his career, he’s won a load of titles. I’d love him to add a European or world title to the list.”
The inclusion of Shakan, a man used to televised, arena contests, on the Excelsior bill represents a coup for the sporting club’s boss, Scott Murray. Launched earlier this year, this was the third Excelsior night – and the second time a former British champ has graced its ring.
It was another triumph, the long list of VIPs including former world welterweight champ John H Stracey.
I love the black-tie, red-carpet Excelsior nights, throwbacks to the glory days of the old boxing sporting clubs.
They provide an opportunity to dress up, enjoy fine food and good boxing. Fight fans, with their wives or husbands, should sample the experience.
Murray is a showman in the boxing sense of the word. Like Frank Warren, he enjoys staging events – and is very good at it.
The next Excelsior show falls on St Andrew’s Day, November 30, and Murray has pulled-out all the stops, with boxers from north of the border, whisky tasting, haggis and pipers.
“It’s a good show,” Pitters said after dismissing Sharp. “Great atmosphere – Scott’s good at these things.”
Story of the fight…Sharp covers-up as Shakan picks his shots
Pitters (13st) was simply too sharp, poised and polished for his Manchester opponent. With 124 bouts under his belt and coming off a rare win, Sharp engaged in his customary showboating, grinning and talking when tagged.
But he showed Shakan more respect than I’ve seen displayed against lesser opponents. Darryl usually spends long periods propped in corners where he invites opponents in before slipping shots.
He had to use the whole ring against much taller Pitters for the simple reason his 6ft 6ins opponent didn’t miss.
The clowning disguises a very hard individual. Thudding jabs which must’ve felt like being struck with the business end of a broom stave brought blood from Sharp’s nose, left hooks thudded against his side.
He took them all, his smile becoming a little more sickly with each session.
In the first, Sharp (12st 7lbs 9oz) was nailed by a straight right to the body, left hook to the ribs, then a sweet right uppercut. He grinned in acknowledgment.
He copped two withering left hooks in the second and began talking. Jabs landed flush in the third followed by body shots. One left hook to the body in the dying seconds of the fifth resounded around the Premier Suite.
Pitters injected extra spite in his work in the final round and Sharp was forced to cling on. As is customary in his career Darryl survived the storm: only three men have prevented him hearing the final bell.
“I respect him, he’s got a head like a rock,” Shakan said. “It was important to showcase the things we’ve been working on, but it’s hard when you’re fighting the kind of people who are not going to open up.
“We push on from here. I have to keep busy, stay focused and push towards title contention. Keep busy and I’ll be back up there.”