New Eastside Pro
Shakan Pitters
Shakan Pitters is a 27 year old Light Heavyweight/Cruiserweight who is another amateur turning pro with Eastside. The 6 foot 5 orthodox fighter has won as an amateur the Midlands area title twice, the Birmingham Belt Champion, Redditch Box Cup Gold and been National Semi Finalist twice.
Shakan has been boxing for 4 years and has turned pro with Eastside and has the whole training team behind him Paul Counihan, Louie Counihan, Jon Pegg, Neil Hateley and Max Maxwell.
I asked Shakan who his favourite fighter is he told me “it's Tommy Hearns as he was a tall rangy and aggressive fighter, but this era Floyd Mayweather for the skills he demonstrates the art of hit and not getting hit”.
The best fight he has ever seen is Tommy Hearns vs Sugar Ray Robinson, September 16, 1981.
I asked how he got into boxing and what inspired him to take up the noble art? Shakan informed me “I've been in boxing gyms from the age of 6 years old but not as a boxer. I use to hitch along with my brothers who were boxers for Small Heath ABC at the time, my Dad was also a trainer at the club. My Dad (Colin Pitters) was also a professional boxer himself back in the 90's but as a trainer he trained the likes of Matthew Macklin, Frankie Gavin, and many more pros. Right up to the age of 14 I was playing football for West Bromwich Albion Academy and boxing
training was made to be apart of my fitness for football. I use to do all the training boxers did and was made to be a running pace maker at the age of 11 on wards where I was a strong runner and use to beat all the boxers in the gym which use to piss my dad off thinking I'm so young but beating his top Amatuer boxers at the club. Boxing was always a big part of our family lifestyle, my Dad use to wake me, my Mom (Navern Pitters), my brothers (Anwar Pitters and Aundra Pitters) up most days at 4:00am to do road running and maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle. As a Amateur I started my boxing career properly with Paddy Farrell at (Kingstanding 2nd City) who sharpened my tools and corrected many mistakes. After a 2 year spell I left to pursue my Amateur boxing career with Paul Counihan and Louie Counihan with the plans to turn pro. I won numerous things being at both clubs, I started boxing due to watching my Dad box on TV and seeing my older brothers in the gym.
I contacted friend of the column and Shakan’s trainer Jon Pegg what is take was on his new pro? Jon told me “Shak Pitters is the son of former pro Colin Pitters and he’s a bit of a physical freak touching 6.6 at light heavy he’s got huge height and reach advantages over all of his opponents. Shak is another young brummie lad who if he puts the dedication and work in the sky is the limit”.
Shakan could make his professional debut in October if medical and forms in order.
Dexter's Thoughts
Shakan is another amateur boxer coming threw the ranks at Eastside gym, he has got a great team around him and will be well looked after. Shakan has also got the family pedigree with his brothers being amateurs and his dad being a professional. Shakan is a big lad for his weight and like Jon said the sky's the limit, the Birmingham Boxing Column will look forward to following his career.