Shak-les are finally off for Pitters!

SURELY, it is third time lucky for Shakan Pitters and his bid to become European light heavyweight champ.

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I can reveal, after the bout was twice shredded at very short notice, the Birmingham boxer will now face champ Daniel Dos Santos, in Galway, Ireland, on June 28.

Hats off to promoters GBM for keeping faith with a contest that appeared cursed. The fighters themselves probably won't truly believe it's going to happen until they embark on their ring walks.

Even 35-year-old Shak's manager Jon Pegg admitted: "I was starting to think it wasn't going to happen, but, hopefully, we're there.

"Will the cancellations have a positive or negative effect on Shakan? I really don't know, we'll find out."

The pair were first scheduled to meet in February in Sheffield, only for Dos Santos to be pulled out on the eve of the show after France's governing body raised "medical issues".

After those were ironed out, the 12-rounder was rescheduled for this month at York Hall, Bethnal Green. With only days to go, former British champ Pitters suffered a torn chest muscle.

I'm pleased Pitters has not lost his big chance to crash the world rankings - and it's a winnable fight for the towering, 6ft 6ins Eastside boxer.

When it was first made, he said: "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.