Boxing Perspective: Shannon Briggs – His Last Stand

Shannon Briggs is not a hard man to find. Whether trying to spot him in a crowd or tag him inside a boxing ring, it’s safe to say that the six-foot-four heavyweight contender is rather difficult to miss. A walking bundle of bone, muscle and golden locks, the 34-year-old fighter/part-time actor has been around the block almost as many times as a milk float. A pro for over 14 years, his colourful career has been adorned by success, calamity and an occasional wisp of wackiness.

Excitement, though, has been his loyal and unfailing companion every step of the way. A singular constant, if you will, in a hailstorm of inconsistency. Whether he triumphs or whether he crumbles, fans know and trust that they will get their dime’s worth each and every time he performs.

His impressive and ever-growing following is clearly a reflection of that fact.

However, long regarded as one of the most physically gifted big men in the sport, he continues to wear the lamentable mark of under-achiever like an old, dappled vest that should have been thrown out years ago. But, as always in the heavyweight division, fame and fortune is only one little punch away.

And with 41 big knockouts on his record, it’s reasonable to assume that the Miami-based Brooklynite can bring down a brick wall with his fists.

That’s the good news.

Bad news is, he is either unable or simply not willing to master some of the other important, some might say crucial facets of the game. His grasp on the art of defence, for example, is not only less than steadfast but has been exposed as downright flimsy on more than a few occasions. Or to be exact, in every one of his fights thus far.

Negligible head movement, low hands and clumsy footwork have sabotaged his efforts on many a night. Tex Cobb may have had more boxing ability. But boy, can he punch.

“Yeah, it’s going to happen,” said an exuberant Briggs when asked if a November 11 showdown between him and IBF champion Wladimir Klitscko was finalized. “There was just some minor things that we had to work out. Shelly Finkel is a great person for getting me this opportunity.

“This is a very appealing fight for the public, two guys with knockout power. I need this shot, I’m hungry, and we have to have this title back in Brooklyn. It’s up to me.”

In his only other crack at a title, it looked promising early for Briggs before he ran out of gas and was almost beheaded by an extremely menacing version of Lennox Lewis. That was back in 1998, however, and he claims to have matured immeasurably both as a person and as a fighter since then.

And apparently it’s not just him who thinks so.

A swelling number of boxing writers are picking him to upset the younger Klitscko brother when they meet, this despite not having faced a legitimate contender since dropping a decisive 10-round decision to the unspectacular Jameel McCline over four years ago.

Evidently, scoring ten consecutive knockout wins – regardless of who they come against – is how one becomes a number-one contender in this increasingly bizarre age. Look to Oleg Maskaev and now Briggs for the living proof.

Speaking about his upcoming title shot, Briggs said: “This is a great fight for television, for New York, and for the fans. Wladmir and I both have 40 plus knockouts, and we are two big Hhavyweights that will clash in the ring.

“As far as some of the writers beginning to sway in my favor, I appreciate them. My goal is to knock this guy out, and when they raise my hand and announce me as the new IBF heavyweight champion of the world, it’s going to be a different day baby.

“It’s going to be a great night of boxing on November 11th. I am looking forward to having NYC behind me, I am 34 years old now, I am looking forward for the whole world to see who I am, and I am going to take the heavyweight title back to Brooklyn.”

Talking a good fight was never his problem, though. Actually backing up the rhetoric, now that’s a different story. But with this surely being his last stab at a major championship, his fans will be hoping that he can finally produce something special.

Courtesy www.frankmaloney.com