Shakan: Win opens door for major titles

Shakan Pitters…six rounder in Cannock on Saturday. Picture: GBM Sports

FOR Shakan Pitters, Birmingham’s towering former British light-heavyweight champ, Saturday night is all about getting back in the winning column.

The Eastside gym star needs that to secure the big fights he craves and deserves. Robbie Chapman, who he meets over six rounds at Chase Leisure Centre, Cannock, shouldn’t upset the grand plans.

The Camden Caretaker has 13 of 96 (10 draws), is tough, durable, with only two inside distance losses, and experienced, but lacks the speed or skill to prevail against a class act such as 36-year-old Pitters.

Chapman is also a very familiar face in West Midlands rings, the long list of local opponents including Ben Collins, Brandon Jones, Troy Coleman and Andrew Robinson.

If he couldn’t beat them, the 37-year-old can’t beat Pitters.

Frankly, it must be hard for Pitters to get up for contests such as the weekend’s outing. Needs must, however.

Eastside trainer Paul “Soggy” Counihan was candid in interview. “He wants a big fight and in accordance with Board of Control regulations, you need to have a win to fight for a title. It’s not about the opponent or the occasion, it’s about the win – getting a win and shaking the cobwebs off. Other fighters have had to go abroad just to get a win.”

Promoter Scott Murray has handed Pitters the opportunity on home turf.

It’s hard not to feel for Pitters who appears to belong on the “who needs them?” list of avoided boxers. He’s waited by the phone, but it hasn’t rung. A glance at his 23 bout record (three losses) shows why.

During his march to the Lonsdale Belt, he was near untouchable: I can’t recall the 6ft 6ins boxer - blessed with a left jab long enough to span time zones – dropping a round.

Since losing the title to Craig Richards by ninth round stoppage, Pitters has come very close to beating very good opponents for major honours. He was narrowly outpointed by both Dan Azeez, in a bid to reclaim his crown, and Bradley Rea in a European title tilt.

Shakan hasn’t fought since last June’s tussle with Rea.

“He was winning against Richards,” Counihan said, “made a mistake, got caught and paid the price. Dan Azeez for the British title was close. Bradley Rea for the European title, he lost by one point on one judge’s card, two on the others.

“He knows what he should’ve done in those fights, he knows time is running out on him, so we want to get a move on.

“He’s fresh, he’s sparring great, I truly believe he has more titles in him. He’s in the gym every day, he’s a gym rat, his attitude is good. Get the win and we’ll put our feelers out for champions, see if the want to face Shak.”

That’s the rub. Not many want to face Pitters – they have to be forced to face Pitters.