Vitali Klitschko v Shannon Briggs, seriously?
Just when you thought boxing couldn’t get anymore absurd out of the shadows emerges Shannon Briggs ready to take his place in the ring with Vitali Klitschko in a world heavyweight WBC clash.
“The Cannon” has clawed his way back from obscurity and has somehow secured his first fight against an elite-level fighter since 1998 when he lost a WBC contest against Lennox Lewis.
There are probably big boxing fans out there that follow the sport religiously who didn’t even realise that Briggs was still fighting. There are probably even members of the Briggs family who don’t know he’s still fighting. Half-interestingly the 38-year old did grab the WBO title in 2006 with a very late knockout against Belarusian gatekeeper Siarhei Liakhovich who had taken the belt from Lemon Brewster; hardly the most terrifying lineage of fighters to hold that crown. In his first defence Briggs promptly lost the belt to Sultan Ibragimov and since then the crazy-haired American has been working under the radar.
How The Cannon qualifies for a world-title shot is beyond all comprehension. His last three fights have all been first-round knockouts, but all against journeymen and tomato cans. Such is the lack of validation for Briggs to be fighting for a world title you could reach the unlikely conclusion that even Audley Harrison has more scope for a crack at the world championship. At least he is an Olympic gold medallist and, until he recently vacated it, he was the European champion as well.
It of course all stems back to the David Haye debate and why is he not fighting a Klitschko? Career-wise it’s the best move, money-wise it’s the best move and all parties say they are interested so why the stumbling block? Instead of one worthwhile match we end up with three pointless fights in Wladimir v Samuel Peter, Vitali v Briggs and Haye v Harrison, it’s almost fan repellent.
Still they will talk these fights up like there is some point to it, really though does anyone think Briggs stands a chance? He is instantly an outsider in the markets.
On his official website Klitschko has tried to raise interest by saying of his rival: “I am really happy that I will have a fight in Hamburg again, the place where I started my professional career. The o2 World is a great arena and the fans in Hamburg are real box experts and will make a perfect atmosphere. Shannon Briggs is not only big at talking but also big in the ring and a very tough challenger. He is more experienced than me, has more professional fights on his record and is one of the hardest punchers in the division. I will be very well prepared together with my trainer Fritz Sdunek.”
A very tough challenge? Right you are Vitali.
With 45 KO’s in 51 fights there’s no doubt that Briggs hits big, but who’s he ever beaten with any calibre? At his peak Briggs struggled to a controversial majority decision win over a 50-year old George Foreman. In terms of his ability Briggs is a big lump, without a doubt but his defence was always questionable and at 38 there’s no question his best days are behind him. In fact the only interesting thing that remains about him is his blond dreadlocks.
Come October 16th there is a very high chance that this Cannon will misfire spectacularly.
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