Exclusive: Family Heartache Driving Shakan Pitters to Become European Champion

Shakan Pitters has revealed the heartbreaking reason why he is now doubly-determined to be crowned European lightweight champion, after announcing that his father passed away last month.

The Birmingham-based light-heavyweight had been scheduled to challenge Daniel Blenda Dos Santos in Sheffield this weekend, only to discover the French Special Forces veteran would be unable to defend his belt after being diagnosed with an unspecified medical issue during the pre-fight medical.

Pitters is still set to appear on Friday night’s card at the Canon Medical Arena, he will now face Lee Ingelrest for the vacant title, and he explained that “when” he wins it, he will dedicate the honour to his late dad who also boxed as a professional and introduced him to the sport.

Speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com, Pitters acknowledged only close family and friends had been aware of Colin’s passing during his training camp for the now postponed meeting with Dos Santos, saying: “I want to honour dad’s legacy by doing what I’ve always said I can do and then going on to world level. I want to be able to dedicate it to him.

“Boxing can be a lonely business. When you’re in the ring, it’s just you against your opponent. Of course, you want to do it for yourself."

“But I’ve got even more purpose now, because I want to do this for my dad. He’s not with me anymore physically, but I know he’ll always be there with me in spirit and that he’ll be looking down on me.”

FAMILY TRAGEDY

Confirming he even kept GBM promoter Izzy Asif in the dark about his family tragedy until Thursday, with the visibly moved promoter only learning the details during the official media conference, Pitters (19-2) continued: “Of course I’ve done my grieving, in the car and places like that. But I also know that dad wouldn’t have wanted me to pull-out so I kept on going, with him at the forefront of my mind.

“Once I’ve fought, I’ll spend time with my family to process what has happened. You only get one dad and so of course it hurts. 

"But I understand what he’d have wanted me to do. I know what he’d have been telling me.”

Colin, a talented middleweight, faced the likes of Steve Foster and Richie Woodhall, who won Commonwealth and world honours respectively, before retiring in 1995.

His son has also mixed in esteemed company, losing only to Dan Azeez and Craig Richards. Both of those men have previously held the Lonsdale belt with Richards also handed a shot at the WBA (Super) belt in 2021 - taking the great Dmitry Bivol the distance.

“Lots of people around my area knew dad,” Pitters said. “Not only as a boxer but also as a great person, because of all the work he did. That’s who gave me the same values, they are a testament to him.

“Dad taught me to throw my first jab. He would always get in touch during a fight week and tell me all the old stories. It was always the same stories but they meant a lot to me. They inspired me.

“I’ve not been able to speak to him this week and that’s been tough. But now I want to do this for him and myself and I know I can and will.”