Shakan lands a shot at the European title

Shakan Pitters…faces Daniel Blenda Dos Santos on May 3

SHAKAN Pitters has received a surprise golden ticket to the big time by landing a crack at the European light-heavyweight title.

Birmingham’s former British champ will fight Daniel Blenda Dos Santos for the vacant belt at Telford International Centre on May 3.

And Shak’s manager, Jon Pegg, has described the bout as “well winnable”.

The 33-year-old Frenchman may have lost only one of 22, but he was cruelly exposed by Joshua Buatsi in 2021.

At Manchester Arena, Dos Santos was floored in the second, then sparked out by a right hand in the fourth. Frankly, he looked out of his depth.

He’s bounced back with six wins, but the opposition has been undemanding.

“Dos Santos is a tall, well-schooled guy with decent power who comes out throwing big punches,” said Pegg.

“If he wins, this puts Shak back in the mix for everything – and it’s a really, really winnable fight. Shak’s been training really hard. He’s a bit older (34), but he’s only been a pro for six years.”

News of the bout is a much needed boost for Pitters, near freakishly tall for a light-heavy at 6ft 6ins.

He seemed destined for very big things after taking the Lonsdale Belt with a landslide decision over Chad Sugden in his 14th contest. Up until then, stylish Pitters had hardly lost a round in his pro career.

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

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

Now he’s back on a major, televised show. And if he wins, a world title shot is within his grasp.