By Jason Kim: For fans of World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (40-2, 38 KO’s), they may get the opportunity to see his next fight against 38-year-old former WBO heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs (51-5-1, 45 KO’s) on ESPN, according to boxing news from Dan Rafael of ESPN.
Shannon Briggs
Vitali’s manager says Klitschko vs. Briggs will be a “dramatic fight”
By Dave Lahr: Bernd Boente, the manager for World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (40-2, 38 KO’s), has put a good spin on Klitschko’s choice of 38-year-old Shannon Briggs (51-5, 45 KO’s) as Vitali’s next opponent on October 16th, saying in an article at Sportsillustrated.cnn.com, “This is going to be a dramatic fight between two of the biggest punching heavyweights.” I don’t how much drama we’ll get out of this fight, as Briggs is three years removed from the last time he fought a top heavyweight. Briggs was beaten by Sultan Ibragimov in 2007, losing his WBO heavyweight title. Ibragimov, a decent but not a great heavyweight, totally schooled Briggs, beating easily by a lopsided 12 round unanimous decision. I see it as a dramatic mismatch against a fighter that should have at least beaten a top tier contender to get his title shot. I already saw Vitali beat up on Albert Sosnowski last time, and now he’s fighting another over-matched opponent.
Vitali Klitschko to fight Shannon Briggs on October 16th in Hamburg
By Dave Lahr: In the latest boxing news, WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (40-2, 38 KO’s) has opted for what appears to be another easy mark in 38-year-old Shannon Briggs (51-5-1, 45 KO’s), who Klitschko will be fighting on October 16th in Hamburg, Germany. Having already taken on two easy marks in Kevin Johnson and Alberto Sosnowski in his last two fights, Klitschko dipped down once again in the rankings to select Briggs over arguably much more interesting and qualified heavy contenders Odlanier Solis, Tomas Adamek, Nikolay Valuev, Denis and Boytsov.
Shannon Briggs says he’s received a contract for bout with Vitali Klitschko – News
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.
Shannon Briggs says he’ll be fighting Vitali Klitschko on October 16th
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.
Vitali Klitschko could be fighting Shannon Briggs next – News
By Matt Stein: World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion Vitali Kitschko (40-2, 38 KO’s) could be facing former WBO heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs (51-5-1, 45 KO’s) in a battle of 38-year-old knockout artists. ESPN2 analyst Teddy Atlas dropped the bomb on this news on Friday Night Fights.
Briggs destroys Alexander in one round, then baits Wladimir Klitschko
by Pavel Yakovlev: Former WB) world heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs stopped Dominique Alexander tonight at 20 seconds of the first round. Alexander was counted out after taking two devastating left hooks to the body. In total, Briggs needed only three punches to win the fight: one left hook to the head, followed by the fight-ending body blows. Alexander, who at 228 lbs. was physically over-matched by the 268 lbs. Briggs, writhed in pain as the referee tolled the count. Briggs showed no caution or hesitancy, pouncing on Alexander from the opening bell and winning easily with overwhelming handspeed, aggression, and power. Briggs’ record now stands at 50-5-1 (44 kayos). Alexander drops to 19-9-1 (nine kayos).
After the bout, a jubilant Briggs talked aggressively about seeking fights with current champions David Haye and the Klitschko brothers. Concerning Vladimir, Briggs stated, “Of course he’s ducking me.
Briggs says to David Haye, “Don’t waste your time” with Wladimir Klitschko
by William Mackay: 38-year-old former WBO heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs (49-5-1, 43 KO’s) made it known today that he’s interested in fighting World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion David Haye (24-1, 22 KO’s) in a press release that was sent out by Briggs’ team. Briggs tells Haye, “Don’t waste your time” with Wladimir Klitschko. Briggs obviously isn’t just thinking of Haye’s own welfare, though, as he wants Haye to fight him instead, as if we didn’t know. Briggs lost his WBO heavyweight title three years ago in a lopsided 12 round decision loss to Sultan Ibragimov in June 2007.
Shannon Briggs stops Pedro in 1st round KO
By Jim Dower: Former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs (49-5-1, 43 KO’s) showed that he still has his incredible knockout power on Tuesday night, stopping Cuban Rafael Pedro (20-9-1, 14 KO’s) with a big right hand to the head. The bout was stopped at 0:28 of the 1st round by referee Samuel Burgos.
Shannon Briggs to Make Ring Return on October 17th; Jirov vs. Alexander in Main Event – News
By Jim Dower: In a card featuring aging fighters on the comeback trail, former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs (48-5-1, 42 KOs) and former Vasiliy Jirov (37-3-1, 31 KOs) will be making their ring returns in separate bouts, both seeing action for the first time in two years later this month on October 17th at the Celebrity Theater, in Phoenix, Arizona. Briggs, 38, hasn’t fought since losing his WBO heavyweight title in a 12 round unanimous decision loss to Russian Sultan Ibragimov in June 2007, will be facing a still to be determined opponent.