By Dave Lahr: On October 16th, WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (40-2, 38 KO’s) is finally going to be facing someone his own size and strength in 6’4″ Shannon Briggs in their fight at the World Arena, in Hamburg, Germany. Klitschko hasn’t had to take on any sluggers until now and has been dining on smaller, weaker opposition. Well, my question is whether Vitali will pack up his bags and call it a career if Briggs plants him on the deck in a crushing one-punch knockout.

I know few people are giving Briggs much of a chance, but those same people haven’t even watched his recent fights because if they had, they would seeing what I’m seeing in him. Briggs not only has an excellent chance of knocking Vitali out, I think he has a better chance of winning this fight by knockout than anyone that Vitali has ever faced before.

Briggs is fighting really well and unless Klitschko plans on running for the entire fight, he’s going to catch pure hell come October 16th. Klitschko isn’t going to be able to use his Ostrich defense to try and hide his head in the sand to keep from getting it taken off by Briggs. This fight is going to come down to whether Vitali can get Briggs before he gets Vitali.

I don’t see Vitali having the hand speed, the power or the youth to take out a fighter like Briggs. Shannon has a lot more natural ability than Vitali, and he comes from a rougher side of life. He’s a lot tougher than Klitschko, and when the fights get into trench warfare, Vitali won’t have the stomach the job and will turn tail and run. Briggs is prepared for that and will have his best track shoes on so that he can catch up to Vitali and knock his lights out.

I’m hoping Vitali will elect to stick around boxing and try to avenge his loss to Briggs, but I’m not holding my breath on that happening. I can see Klitschko giving up and hanging up his gloves for good rather than risking a second knockout to Briggs.