Mandatory challenger for the British Light heavyweight title Craig Richards has pull out of the fight against Birmingham’s unbeaten Challenger Shakan Pitters. With just five weeks to go to the big clash live on channel 5 Richards pulled out with a cold/ viral infection. A replacement has already been announced in the form of Chad Sugden from Nottingham. Sugden has an impressive record of 11 wins 1 loss and 1 draw and will be looking to grab this great opportunity. In Sugden's last fight he took on the would be challenger Craig Richards at York Hall Bethnal Green (December 2019) in a 8 round contest. Sugden got an impressive draw so this fight has not been made any easier for Pitters.
I messaged Shakan who is currently training in Dubai with his team and asked him about the switch in opponent. Shakan confirmed, “ yeah mate, he has pulled out, he had a cold or viral infection”. I then asked Shak, what he thought of Sudgen? Pitters said “he is light, probably on the same level as Richards, but got more balls than him”. My final question to the soon to be Hall of Famer was, would the change in opponent bother him? Shakan replied “Nah course not, you know me, I make adjustments”.
Dexter’s Thoughts
With just 5 weeks to go to the big clash of Britain’s top light Heavyweight’s Richards has pulled out with a cold. Fair play to the powers that be for finding a proper replacement as Sudgen proved in his last fight he is on the same level as Richards with a draw against him. But the question is, is he on the same level as Pitters? I would have to answer No, looking at Sudgen's record Richards is the only non journeyman he has fought with the most rounds he has fought over is 8. Don’t get me wrong I honestly think Sugden will come with the intention of winning this fight and not just to get a pay day. But my opinion is that the Shakan will work him out in the first few rounds and either stop him late or get a very convincing points victory and be crowned British Light Heavyweight champ and enter the bbcolumn ‘Hall of Fame’.
