The year just gets better and better for Eastsides Shakan Pitters as it was announced that he has been given the chance to fight for the vacant British Light Heavyweight title. Pitters (13-0) was crowned English Light Heavyweight champ less than a month ago beating Dec Spelman at York Hall Bethnal Green. The British light Heavyweight title was made vacant as Joshua Buatsi (12-0) moves on to fight at world level after winning the WBA international Light Heavyweight title. Pitters will be taking on Craig Richards (15-1) for the Lonsdale belt with the date and venue yet to be announced as the fight goes to purse bids.
I managed to catch up with Shakan and got to ask him a few questions about his up and coming fight. My first question to Shak was, how did you feel when you got the news you were fighting for the title? The English champ told me “it felt great, it’s what all British boxers work to fight for and accomplish in there careers, my time is now an it’s a great feeling". I then asked the Eastside fighter where he thought the fight would take place? He told me “ I have no idea, of course I’d love to fight for it in Birmingham as it has been a while but the venue is yet to be confirmed, I’d imagine this fight will be in London”. My next question to Shakan was how he thought the fight would go? He said with confidence “I’ll win this fight over 12 rounds or less but I’ll win this fight.
My final question for the English champ was, if you win the British title you will also be entered into the Birmingham Boxing Columns "Hall of Fame" how will that make you feel? He said with a smile "it will be an Honour and pleasure, the Birmingham Boxing column has been there from the very start of my career".
The Column will give you the date and venue when we find out.
Dexter’s Thoughts
What great news for Shakan and his Eastside team, after putting on a great display of the noble art beating Dec Spelman for the English title Pitters has now got a shot at the light Heavyweight Lonsdale belt. I have to admit Shakan is one of my favourite fighters around at the moment and if anyone deserves to win a British title he does. He has got a tough fight against Craig Richards but after putting on such a great display winning the English title I think Mr Pitters will be bringing the British title back to Birmingham. Winning the Lonsdale belt will also get him entered into the Birmingham Boxing Columns “Hall of Fame" with the Elite from Birmingham, the Black Country and the Midlands.