Shannon Briggs says he’s received a contract for bout with Vitali Klitschko – News
July 29th, 2010
By Jason Kim: Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs (51-5-1, 45 KO’s), speaking to the BBC, said that he’s received a contract from WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (40-2, 38 KO’s) for a bout that is expected to be taking place on October 16th in Hamburg, Germany. Klitschko, 38, has yet to confirm that the fight is taking place.
However, Klitschko has reportedly been having problems trying to line up a fight against his number #1 choice opponent former WBA heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev. If that fight isn’t going to be taking place, then it sounds reasonable that the 38-year-old Klitschko might opt to fight the 38-year-old Briggs in Germany. However, this is a fight that will likely only interest diehard fans of Klitschko and his German boxing fans, because Briggs hasn’t been very active in the past three years and doesn’t have a large fan base in the United States.
Thus far, Klitschko has had five fights since making his comeback after four years of retirement in 2008, but he’s yet to have an interesting opponent. Boxing fans would like to see Vitali face WBA heavyweight champion David Haye or at the very least undefeated Odlanier Solis, the former 2004 Olympic heavyweight Gold Medalist for Cuba. Klitschko would like to fight Haye, but it doesn’t appear that a fight between them will be happening soon, if ever.
Speaking to the BBC, Briggs had this to say about a fight with Klitschko: “I got the contract. I look forward to retiring a great champion. I’m the best ever. Hopefully, when I retire Vitali, I can fight David Haye at Wembley Stadium. That would be a dream come true.”
Briggs is currently ranked number #8 by the World Boxing Council, despite having fought only four 2nd tier heavyweights in the past year. Briggs has beaten three of them with one of the fights being ruled a no contest after Briggs tested positive for a banned substance. It would have been nice for Briggs to have beaten at least one upper level heavyweight in the past year so that boxing fans could see him as deserving a shot at the heavyweight title.
As it is, if Vitali ends up fighting Briggs, it’s going to look as if Klitschko is milking his title rather than going after his top challengers in the division like Solis, Tomasz Adamek and Denis Boytsov. Briggs isn’t an opponent that’s likely going to interest American boxing fans or HBO in wanting to see Klitschko fight.
Tags: 17 Responses to “Shannon Briggs says he’s received a contract for bout with Vitali Klitschko – News”
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i think adamek was offered but turned down a fight with Vitali,Only to experiment with less a threat of a loss.
As for Briggs testing positive for a banned substance, I think that’s his asthma medication. Seem to remember he has asthma, and has tested positive before. I don’t know why these rules can’t be amended for something like that. Breathing, after all, isn’t an option.
“Thus far, Klitschko has had five fights since making his comeback after four years of retirement in 2008, but he’s yet to have an interesting opponent.”
I dunno, I thought it was interesting watching him beat that fat drunken mexican guy’s butt… what’s his name? Damn can’t remember. Oh well, must be irrelevant.
But anyway, I’d watch Briggs vs Vitali. Couldn’t be any worse than vs Johnson. Now that was a boooorrriiinng fight.
I hope Shannon takes a crash helmet into the ring cos this is gonna be a brutal, one sided hammering. I don’t believe Shannon deserves a title shot but the Klitchko’s are running out of credible opponents, especially American ones! with Haye refusing to fight them until next summer there is not alot else they can do, so until then we have to make do with V Klit vs Shannon the Cannon, W Klit vs The Nigerian Nightmare & Haye vs Fraudley Harrison roll on next year. Peace x
The only guy out there with worse stamina and defense is Haye. Briggs is in for a hard evening……@ J JACKSON……your entrys are interesting and well informed, Thanks for your involvment on this forum.
quitchkos are desperate for american viewers to make cash!! who did peter or briggs beat to get this ?
A war for the first few rounds, maybe four rounds to get heated.The endurance of Briggs will be his fate.
Fair do*s to Briggs if this is true at least he will take on Vitali when Hay clearly will not.Going to be a mamoth task for him but if he can sustain an allout attack for 5or 6 rounds then who knows what may occur with briggs awsome punching power.
Good, he can now afford a haircut.
Mr. Haye take note – Briggs has the courage to face a Klitschko.
Vitali is not milking his title, he’s tried to set up bigger fights but potential opponents have backed out.
He’s gonna keep busy until Haye comes out of retirement
Briggs may not deserve it, but point is – he signs the dotted line, Haye, Povetkin, Valuev, Solis etc. etc. etc. do not.
yawn , wake me up when a real contender steps up . another new age unfit heavy loking for a gold watch final payday
SHANNON NEEDS TO COME OUT THROWING BOMBS AND TRY TO END IT WITHIN 6 ROUNDS !!!
dude if adamek were to fight either one the brothers in the future.. that would be exciting… im sure hbo would be all over it… i could see adamek using the ring well similar to what haye did against valuev… but then again..i feel either klitschko can easily cut off the ring… should be interesting
solis and boystov didnt want a fight…i dont know if amadek was offered one
im a little skeptical on briggs stamina as well as his asthma issues… but the dude has sick power… his only chance at winning is landing some bombs early i feel… if he doesnt then i will say at least he tried just like the rest…