THERE will be no arguments, no cries of injustice from Shakan Pitters’ team after their man’s European light-heavyweight title bid failed by the narrowest margin.
After a memorable battle at Hull’s Connexion Live arena on Saturday, Bradley Rea took the vacant belt by a single round on two of the judges’ cards, 115-114, while the third official had it 115-113.
In the epic’s aftermath, manager Jon Pegg refused to play the “we wuz robbed” card. “Too many people lose a close decision and scream robbery,” he said.
“This was not a robbery. A robbery is when everyone in the place thinks you won, but opinion was split after this one.
“Shak’s a bit gutted, but we don’t encourage that robbery bull**** because it happens too often. What it was, was a good, close fight.”
A brilliant fight in which Birmingham’s Shak paid the price for letting early rounds slip. He grabbed the initiative in the middle sessions and – despite standing 6ft 6ins tall – was more effective on the inside. He drove hurtful rights into Rea’s side and brought blood from his nose with a spiteful uppercut.
I had it all on the 12th and final round which Rea, from Manchester, took on work rate. On my card, he deserved to have his hand raised.
Paul “Soggy” Counihan, leading light at 35-year-old Shak’s Eastside gym, said: “To lose the European title by one round on two of the judges’ cards is a hard one to take.
“Jon (Pegg) had it a draw, I had Brad one round ahead, Louie (Eastside trainer Louie Counihan) had Shak by one.
“There’s been no slagging off, just pure boxing. That’s what the game is all about.”
It is a fight that merits a rematch and Counihan is hopeful that will happen.
“Brad came in the changing room and said, ‘you gave me a shot, I’ll honour a rematch’. Everyone said it was a fight of the year contender, it was a brilliant fight to watch. GBM (promoters of the Hull show) are going to try and push for that.”
Counihan has no beef over the officials’ arithmetic, but feels Shak’s efforts were hindered by the ring’s size. “It was too small,” he said. “I complained to the EBU (European Boxing Union). It was a really small ring and when Shak tried to box him, he took one step and was on the ropes.”
Pitters, aged 35, and those around him are now pondering what could’ve been, what almost was.
“Shak could’ve have come off the blocks a bit quicker, a bit sharper. After four rounds, we had Shak 3-1 down,” said Counihan. “We said, ‘use your advantages – height, reach, the physical advantages and lean on him’. It was working. I honestly thought Shak would claim him because Brad was starting to tire badly.
“He was knackered, and Shak broke his nose with a fantastic uppercut. Maybe he could’ve brought the uppercut into play a bit more.
“All the judges said it was the last round (that won it for Rea). We told Shak to put his foot down on the pedal, but, fair play to Brad, he stayed with him and showed tenacity.”
Pitters showed a champion’s spirit – and deserves another crack.
