Shakan Pitters out of European title fight as promoter scrambles for replacement

Shakan Pitters

BRITISH light-heavyweight contender Shakan Pittersโ€™ showdown with European champion Daniel Blenda Dos Santos has been cancelled for the second time.

The pair were supposed to square off back in February, but an issue with Dos Santosโ€™ pre-fight medical tests meant that their fight was postponed to this Friday.

As a result, Pitters, 20-2 (7 KOs), took care of business against late replacement Bahadur Karami with a second-round stoppage victory ahead of his rescheduled European title shot.

Earlier today, however, it was revealed by GBM Sports promoter Izzy Asif that the 35-year-old is now in hospital and has therefore been withdrawn from his clash with Dos Santos, 22-1 (10 KOs).

Asif delivered the disappointing news via his Instagram story, while also insisting that the situation Pitters finds himself in is far from critical.

The former British champion took to Instagram, too, saying that he hopes to be back to full health ahead of what should be a further delayed title shot.

Asif, meanwhile, has confirmed that his show at the York Hall in London, England, will still go ahead, as he remains determined to secure a late-notice opponent for Dos Santos.

The Frenchman is perhaps best known โ€“ on British shores, at least โ€“ for suffering a fourth-round stoppage defeat to Joshua Buatsi back in 2021.

Regardless of whether Dos Santos remains on the card, though, a British and Commonwealth super-flyweight matchup between Emma Dolan and Lauren Parker could quite easily steal the show.

Elsewhere on Fridayโ€™s GBM bill, former world title challenger Hughie Fury looks to extend his six-fight unbeaten run against limited heavyweight Dan Garber.

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