Boxer Brad Rea has trained at Blackpool’s Sharpstyle Gym for two years now and fights Birmingham’s Shakan Pitters on a televised show in Hull on Saturday, June 28.

Rea, 27, and Pitters, 35, will fight over 12 rounds for the vacant European Boxing Union’s light-heavyweight title. Their records are similar with Rea having lost just one of his 21 professional bouts in his seven-year professional career and Pitters losing two of his 22 having joined the paid ranks in 2017.

Managed by Manchester-based promoter Steve Wood, Rea was invited at three days’ notice to box the previous title holder Daniel Dos Santos for this belt in April but faced disappointment when he travelled to London only for his opponent to withdraw at the last minute and thereby forfeit the title.

"Nothing’s easy in this game," said Rea. "I was scheduled to box in Riyadh earlier this year and that fell through although I did get over there. Then the Dos Santos bout fell through. This match with Pitters was to take place in Ireland with some supporters having bought tickets and then it looked like that might fall through completely before it got re-arranged for Hull.

Brad REa (centre) with coaches Andy Abrol (left) and Brian Moody (right)

placeholder image — Brad REa (centre) with coaches Andy Abrol (left) and Brian Moody (right)

"This takes a mental toll, but I’m convinced this is the fight I’ve always wanted, and my preparation’s been at a whole new level with intensive sparring and one to one training. It’ll be my first 12-rounder and my first time in the ring since I defeated Adam Hepple with a third-round stoppage in Bolton last November. It’s time to get back in. I’ve got a job to do."

Coach Andy Abrol is confident that Brad can be a champion. "He’s had setbacks but remained positive and he’s going to Hull fully confident and intending to win. Brad lives in the gym training and learning with two daily sessions. Brad deserves this opportunity to showcase what he's been working on since moving to Sharpstyle.

"He's got an unbelievable fanbase with people willing to shell out hard earned money for bouts that then get re-arranged. Brad’s keen to reward their continued support. Brad will be starting a new chapter in his career in style on the 28th as he claims this European title."

Since 15-round bouts were abandoned in the 1980s, a 12-round bout is the ultimate test of a boxer’s skill, strength, fitness and courage. Northern boxing supporters look forward to Lancastrian Rea proving victorious and can watch the Hull show organised by South Yorkshire promoter Issy Asif’s GBM on DAZN.