Pitters pays the price for slow start

THE MIDLAND BOXING BEAT WITH MIKE LOCKLEY

- 

HERE 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 last 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.”