Vitali Klitschko v Shannon Briggs
Yet again fight fans are reminded of the dearth in quality in the heavyweight division as Vitali Klitschko turns to Shannon Briggs tomorrow night in O2 World Arena Hamburg, where they will contest “Dr Ironfist’s” WBC title.
It’s a surprise to see Briggs back in big-time boxing because the 38-year old American hasn’t fought top level opposition since a unanimous decision defeat against Sultan Ibragimov in 2007. He lost his only legitimate world title, the WBO strap, that night having won it from Siarhei Liakhovich in 2006.
Briggs is one of the more flamboyant looking fighters, frequently sporting golden dreadlocks, and his career has seen him in the ring with some great pugilists. “The Cannon” beat a 48-year old George Foreman but went on to score a defeat to Lennox Lewis and drew with Francois Bortha.
This came at the tail-end of the 1990’s and really he hasn’t done anything of note for years and the majority of the boxing community probably didn’t even realise he was still boxing.
As for Klitschko he has of course taken the mantle from Lewis and has dominated the division with his brother ever since, bar a brief retirement in the middle.
Everybody knows Klitschko sits behind one of the most brutal jabs in boxing. Tough and robotic he paces himself around the ring slowly closing the ground on his opposition. It’s not great to watch but there is no denying it is effective.
Briggs on the other hand is a big lump who can bang but doesn’t have that extra 10 per cent you need to box at elite level. He has a great knockout rate with 45 KO’s in his 51 wins, but his record is heavily padded with second rate fighters and he has often found himself out-boxed by top level fighters who have made him appear one dimensional.
It is bizarre that this fight has come to be and is almost insulting to fight fans. There is very little point to it other than appealing to those nostalgic or curious about what became of Briggs.
It may be an attempt to reignite interest from America or drag a big name back but this dinosaur should have stayed extinct. It’s hard enough to find enjoyment in a Klitschko fight in the first place but seeing him fight a past it slugger who peaked in the 1990’s is one step too far and it is unlikely to be a classic.
Prediction: Klitschko unanimous decision
This should be straight forward enough for Klitschko. Briggs should be slow and sluggish and although he has fantastic power the champion should comfortably be able to deal with it and not let the Cannon get a big shot off.
Klitschko will lead with his trusty left jab and use his height advantage to steamroll through him. Briggs will try his best to bring him down but won’t land enough punches to take the victory.
As routine as you can get for Klitschko.
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