British light-heavyweight boxer Bradley Rea will now face European champion Daniel Blenda Dos Santos this Friday, stepping in as a replacement for Shakan Pitters.
GBM Sports promoter Izzy Asif announced yesterday that Pitters had to withdraw from the main event due to hospitalization. The specifics of Pitters` condition are not yet clear, but he has stated his intention to pursue the European title again after he recovers.
Rea, with a record of 20 wins and 1 loss, including 10 knockouts, has agreed to take the fight on short notice, saving the event at York Hall in London.
The 27-year-old Rea was previously scheduled to fight on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch in February, but his fight was cancelled due to an opponent injury.
Formerly a middleweight, Rea has secured notable wins against fighters like Lee Cutler and Jez Smith. His only defeat was a unanimous decision loss to Tyler Denny in 2022.
Now competing at light-heavyweight (175lbs), Rea aims to win his first professional title against Dos Santos.
Dos Santos, despite being undefeated in his recent fights, is perhaps most recognized for his TKO loss to Joshua Buatsi in 2021.
While the Rea vs. Dos Santos fight is an unexpected main event, the undercard fights are also highly anticipated. Emma Dolan, the British and Commonwealth super-flyweight champion, will face Lauren Parker, and former world title challenger Hughie Fury will compete against Dan Garber.
