British star opens up about family tragedy ahead of major title challenge

Shakan Pitters will finally get his shot at European light heavyweight gold when he faces Bradley Rea for the vacant title at Hull's Connexin Live.

The contest will take place on Saturday night, live on DAZN, and it is the end of a chaotic saga.

On numerous occasions over the past few months Pitters and Rea had been set to face then European titleholder Daniel Dos Santos, however, numerous factors stopped these fights from taking place.

With the belt now out of Dos Santos' hands, Pitters will be eager to make up for lost time after what has been a difficult period.

Speaking to iFL TV, Pitters opened up about the struggles he has had to endure both inside and out of the ring. 

"Yeah definitely, personally and within boxing," Pitters said when speaking about the difficulties he has endured.

"Leading up to my last fight it was a year and a half out of the ring, different promotional companies, all of this.

"Obviously, I got my fight, personal issues, losing my dad, things like that. It’s been challenging, but I’ve managed to stay strong, and I’ve got a good coaching team and family around me who have helped me through it.

"It’s been challenging, but it’s life, we’re all going to go through challenges."

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Pitters will be looking to put this frustrating period aside this weekend in what could be an exciting contest.

"Him (Rea) and his team are deciding to come and throw gung ho with gung ho, then I’m up for it.

"I’m accurate and I know I hit hard, when I land, I land, I’m all for it."

When asked whether he could knock out Rea, Pitters gave the following simple response, "I believe so".

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will be streamed exclusively on DAZN PPV this Saturday (June 28). Buy the PPV now here