Shakan Pitters aiming to take over the world after he conquers Europe on February 7

British standout Shakan Pitters commences world title campaign with European light-heavyweight title shot in February

The road to world title contention begins Friday, February 7th for light-heavyweight skyscraper Shakan Pitters (19-2, 6 KO’s) as he heads into the Sheffield hills for a crucial main event title fight with special forces soldier and European light-heavyweight champion Daniel Dos Santos.

Topping the GBM: A NEW DAWN card, which takes place at the Canon Medical Arena and airs live and exclusively worldwide on DAZN, the European title fight sees defending champion Dos Santos (22-1, 10 KO’s) travel from his native France to face the former British light-heavyweight champion. 

“The EBU light-heavyweight championship is a big title, so I’m excited for this fight. It’s a big deal being able to say you’re the champion of Europe - the next stage is world level. At the same time, I don’t let that distract me. All my focus is on winning this fight and beating Daniel Dos Santos, I’m not looking past anyone,” says Pitters.

“Dos Santos is good. You have to be good to win a European championship and you have to be putting in the work, so that speaks for itself. His only ever loss is to [Olympic medalist and world title contender] Joshua Buatsi. He’s got a good level, but I know what I am capable of and you’ll see that on the night.”

The EBU Light-Heavyweight Championship has a storied history as a crucial milestone for British world champions such as 1970’s WBC world champion John Conteh MBE and two-time world champion Nathan Cleverly, but Birmingham’s Pitters is keeping his sights firmly on what’s in front of him.

“For me next it’s about getting this European title first and foremost. After that we will look at the next step. Izzy [Asif, GBM promoter] and my team are already working on that and obviously we have high ambitions. I know Izzy has been working on things and in 2025 we are planning to be out there in a big way.”

“For me, the targets are whoever has got the titles, that’s it. I am not about naming names - if you’ve got a belt that I want, that automatically makes you a target. Right now all my focus is on Daniel Dos Santos on February 7th and taking that European light-heavyweight championship off him.”

Shakan Pitters vs Ben Whittaker

One name that Pitters has recently mentioned is fellow Midlands boxer Ben Whittaker, with Pitters telling Sky Sports, "We've sparred many times and as a Midlands fighter, I want him to be doing very well.  I'm happy he's getting all the limelight he deserves because he's a good fighter, he's put in the work. 

“I'm heading for a European title so that's where all my energy and focus is [but] if it makes business sense and that's a fight that fans want to see or it has to happen, then all day long, no one's going to shy away from it. It would be good to have a belt on the line as well." 

The card also features a triple-title showdown as Tysie Gallagher lays her British, Commonwealth and European super-bantamweight titles on the line against Ebonie Jones, reigniting a rivalry which began in the amateur boxing ranks during their teenage years.

Tickets for GBM: A New Dawn are on sale now. The event airs live and exclusively worldwide on the DAZN network on Friday, February 7th.