briggs7774 By Allan Fox: #5 WBA Shannon Briggs (59-6-1, 52 KOs) is still pushing hard for a title shot against IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (64-3, 53 KOs) despite the lack of interest from the 39-year-old Ukrainian fighter. Briggs, 43, took to Instagram to express his desire to face Klitschko.

Briggs also seems to be interested in facing WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder; although it appears that his main interest is facing Klitschko. The money for a fight against Klitschko would have to be very good for Briggs, who has won his last eight fights since being beaten to a pulp by Wladimir’s older brother former WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko five years ago in 2010 in a one-sided fight.

It’s hard to believe that Briggs is now close to getting another world title shot without him even having to beat even a 2nd tier fighter. There are only three fighters in front of Briggs in the World Boxing Association’s rankings with Lucas Browne, Tyson Fury and Fres Oquendo. Fury and Oquendo are both getting title shots in the near future, which will leave only Browne in front of Briggs. The No.1 spot is vacant with the WBA.

What's come over you champ? Nothing I'm just sick of The Robot Pie Wladimir Klitschko and his girlfriend Beyoncé Wilder stinking up boxing. Al Haymon ain't put me down, the ratings sucky ducky 💩 ain't right champ. I'm stressed out champ. They won't let me loose on TV and give the people what they want which is full entertainment champ. Imagine the champ on a 24/7 or a all access. 😂😂😂 Let me loose. #LETSGOCHAMP I'm the champ the people want to see me bend somebody face in. #LETSGOCHAMP it's all good though. Me & #MooMooFat good. We stay chillin laughing watching cartoons eating healthy. My time coming again champ I'm the champ just like you champ 😂😂😂 #LETSGOCHAMP #LETSGOCHAMP #LETSGOCHAMP

A video posted by Shannon Briggs (@cannon_briggs) on Oct 21, 2015 at 11:52am PDT

It’s interesting that Briggs takes a shot at WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. That obviously means that the 6’7” Wilder is someone that Briggs is interested in facing if he can’t get a shot against Klitschko. But with the way that the WBA keeps moving Briggs up in their rankings, he’s going to get a title shot in the near future, even if all he does is continue to fight 3rd tier fighters like he’s been doing.

Since making his comeback in 2010, Briggs has beaten Michael Marrone, Zoltan Petranyi, Richard Carmack, Cory Phelps, Raphael Zumbano Love, Matthew Greer, Francisco Mireles and Maurenzo Smith. Those are all 3rd tier fighters rather than 1st or 2nd tier guys. In Briggs’ last fight, he defeated Marrone by a 2nd round knockout.

Briggs has scored six 1st round knockouts of the eight fighters he’s faced during his comeback. Those early knockouts aren’t because Briggs is a great fighter. It’s because he’s facing such incredibly poor opposition.

It’s just too easy when you’re facing guys at that level. What’s troubling is that the WBA is moving Briggs up quickly in their rankings despite him not facing even mediocre opposition. The other sanctioning bodies aren’t going for it. They’re obviously waiting for Briggs to fight a live body before they rank him, and it doesn’t look like he has any interest in doing that.