Shakan Pitters wins Ultimate Boxxer II
Eastside gym and Birmingham's own Shakan Pitters over came seven other fighters to claim the Golden robe in the Ultimate Boxxer 2 at the O2 arena London yesterday (2/11/18). In this Prizefighter concept Pitters had to fight 3 fights against three different fighters over 3 times 3 minute rounds in the same night. Pitters who had came down to light heavyweight from cruiser-weight for this show, showed great control, skill, movement and shot selection to win the Golden Robe and the Lions share of the £50,000 prize money. Below we have a break down of how Pitters destroyed his opponents to keep his unbeaten record and bring it to 10 without defeat.
The quarter finals saw Pitters cruise passed Sam Smith dropping him twice in the second round to win his first fight of the night on points. In the rest of the fights Joel McIntyre also knocked down Darrell Church and then won his first fight on points, Dec Spelman stopped Sam Smith in the second round after putting him down 3 times. Wild card Geogii Bacon out pointed Jordan Joseph after both fighters had hit the deck in the first to win on points.
Semi Finals
In the first Semi Final between Joel McIntyre and Dec Spelman, it was a cagey start by both fighters with myself having Spelman nicking the first round. In the second this fight exploded into action with Spelman coming out swinging but McIntyre countering well putting Spelman down, Spelman who's nose was pouring with blood continued to push but it was looking like McIntyre was going to win the round. Near the end of the round while McIntyre was on the attack Spelman countered putting McIntyre down to even up the round. The final round had not much in it with McIntyre nicking the round with the eye catching shots. Spelman won on a majority decision with 2 of the judges going for him and one having the fight even.
The second semi final was Shakan Pitters taking on Gorgii Bacon, in the first round Pitters showed a stinging jab with some cracking lead hooks to set up some great combination to win the first round with a great performance. In round two Pitters continued his great jabbing and started to put some cracking combinations together, Bacon was put on the back foot as he looked hurt. Pitters pinned Bacon to the ropes tapping to the head then coming down to the body with an evil left hook body shot to put Bacon down. Bacon got to his feet but the writing was on the wall as Pitters stepped back in shooting out one, twos to Bacon’s head then again going to the body with a cracking left hook to put Bacon down for the count of ten, the fight ended 2 minutes thirteen seconds into the second round.
On the undercard Birmingham's Idris Virgo put on a dominating display against journeyman Vaidas Balciauskas in a four round bout to bring his unbeaten record to 3 without defeat. The D&A gym fighter and love island contestant banged in some good combination to win every round.
Final
In the final of the Ultimate Boxxer 2 Shakan Potters took on Dec Spelman for the golden robe. The bbcolumn's Boxer to Watch got his razor sharp jab going from the start, there was a delayed reaction as Spelman went down from a cracking right hand body shot. Bacon who’s nose was bleeding again got to his feet and chased shadows for the rest of the round as Pitters boxed clever.
Pitters used his jab well in the second and moved around the ring picking his shots well and showed great ring craft to win the round. In the final round Pitters came out with a great combination Spelman then shook Pitters with a nice combination ending with a left hook. Pitters took it well and banged in nice shots showing great skill to win the round the fight and the Golden Robe. Judges decision unanimous verdict, after the fight Shakan dedicated his victory’s to his trainer Paul “Soggy” Counihan who has been with him from his amateur career.
Dexter’s Thoughts
Was there ever any doubt that one of my picks for the Birmingham Boxing Column’s Boxer to Watch this year would be victorious. Shakan proved what a lot of people have been saying including myself that Pitters is the real deal. He is now 10 without defeat and demonstrated by winning the ultimate Boxxer his skill, shot selection, movement and boxing intelligence of himself and his team. Pitters has made a big statement and in my opinion should now not just be looking for a crack at the Midlands title but should be expecting a shot at the English or even the British title. Shakan looked fantastic at light heavyweight and would be a dominant force in this division, but he now has a choice of whether to choose which weight he wants to dominate at least at a domestic level. Eastside gym trainer Paul Counihan has to take a lot of credit for Shakan’s rise in boxing building him through the later part of his amateur career then taking him in to the professional ranks and coaching him to a unbeaten 10 an 0 boxer.
Shakan is a credit to his Eastside team who are doing wonders for boxing in Birmingham. I would also like to point out that since Mr Pitters done 2 three minute rounds with me at Eastside gym at the start of this year he has won 5 more fights, stopped 3 opponents and dropped all of them. Coincidence? I don’t think so.....