By Eric Thomas: Former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Shanon Briggs (51-5-1, 45 KO’s) is saying that he’ll be facing WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (40-2, 38 KO’s) on October 16th. In Briggs’ Twitter page, Briggs says “I’ll be fighting Vitali Klitschko October 16th. Bringing the title back to the USA. It’s on!” Briggs, 38 and Klitschko have been in talks for a fight for some time now. Klitschko was still hoping that there might be a chance for him to get a big money fight against former WBA heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev. However, nothing has come of that potential fight. If what Briggs says is true, then Vitali will have a decent opponent for his next fight. Klitschko took out little known Alberto Sosnowski in the 10th round in his last title defense in May, in a fight that was one-sided from start to finish.

Many boxing fans were hoping that Klitschko would take on a better opponent for his next title defense, someone like unbeaten for Cuban Olympic Gold Medalist Odlanier Solis. However, Klitschko has shown little interest in fighting the number #2 ranked WBC contender Solis.

Briggs brings some power that klitschko hasn’t had to face since his win over Samuel Peter in 2008. Unlike the 6’1″ Peter, Briggs is much taller at 6’4′, and has better power than Peter, at least in the early going. Briggs has the power to stop Vitali if he can his shots and if he can get to Klitschko early in the fight before Briggs starts to fade. Briggs sometimes fades late in his fights. However, as we saw in his 12th round knockout win over former WBO heavyweight champion Siarhei Liakhovich in 2006, Briggs can retain his power even deep into his fights. One problem that’s working against Briggs in this fight is that he hasn’t been very active in the past three years. Briggs didn’t fight at all from 2007 to 2009, and since that time, he’s run over all four of his B level opponents.