Shak’s Euro title bid now set for the UK

Shakan Pitters…matched to meet Daniel Blenda Dos Santos

WHAT appeared a title body blow for elegant former British light-heavyweight champ Shakan Pitters has turned into a blessing.

Shak – a successful catwalk model by day, boxer by night – was to have fought Daniel Blenda Dos Santos for the vacant European title on November 9 in the Paris suburb of Ponte Sainte Maxence.

Seemingly a done deal, the bout fell through when French promoters lost TV coverage for their show.

That appeared a severe setback for Birmingham’s Pitters, on the home stretch of a magnificent career at the age of 35.

But I can reveal a leading British promoter – yet to be publicly named - has now put in a purse bid for the contest. That means it’s not only back on, but will take place in this country.

Pitters’ manager Jon Pegg confirmed: “A British promoter has put a bid in. Hopefully, the fight will go on and go on over here, so happy days.”

And it’s a fight – assessed as 50-50 by Pegg when scheduled to take place on the Dos Santos’ home turf – that Shakan has the tools to win.

He has the boxing ability – broom stave jab, whiplash uppercut - to befuddle an opponent who is strong, but rough round the edges.

Dos Santos, 33-year-old and dubbed The Panther, 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, although the opposition has been undemanding.

Pitters, whose dad was a useful pro middleweight, glided effortlessly to the top of the domestic ladder. He made it look easy.

He gained the British title in his 14th contest, barely losing a round on the way, by widely outpointing Chad Sugden.

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

Pitter was outpointed by Dan Azeez in a 2022 bid to reclaim the Lonsdale Belt and last fought 13 months ago at The Excelsior Sporting Club, Cannock. He has lost only two of 21.

Pegg added: “Dos Santos is a tall, well-schooled guy with decent power who comes out throwing big punches. If he wins, this puts Shak back in the mix for everything.”

And “everything” means a world title chance.