Daniel dos Santos and Shakan Pitters to contest EBU 175lbs title on February 7

Shakan Pitters will challenge the European light-heavyweight champion Daniel dos Santos on February 7 at Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield, England.

The 35 year old is the mandatory challenger to Dos Santos, of France. The British and Commonwealth super-bantamweight champion Tysie Gallagher defends her titles against Ebonie Jones on the undercard.

“[It] will be the year I cement myself at the top of the light-heavyweight division, starting in February with this European title challenge against Daniel Dos Santos,” Pitters said. “He’s tough, experienced, and has a military background, so you know he’s ready for war. 

“Beating him on February 7 and taking his title will be a big statement and a major step toward world-title contention.”

Dos Santos, 34, won the vacant title with victory over Thomas Faure in July. 

“Shakan Pitters is a fighter we believe has the potential to go all the way,” said the promoter Izzy Asif of GBM. “He’s got a very tough test here against European light-heavyweight champion Daniel dos Santos and if he passes it then it will make a strong statement about his level and his ability to achieve his world-title dreams. 

“The battle between Tysie Gallagher and Ebonie Jones is going to be exceptional as well. They really respect each other outside the ring but they’ve got a history from their amateur days, they’ve had some previous tear-ups, and this one is going to be a really explosive encounter now they’re meeting in the professional ranks for the first time with so much on the line.”