Weight:(Heavyweight) Height: 6 ft 4 in (193cm) Reach 80 in (203cm) Stance: Orthodox Boxing Record:60-6-1 (53KO)
Shannon Briggs, born on December 4, 1971, is a former professional boxer from America whose career spanned from 1992 to 2016. During his illustrious career, he captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title, holding it from 2006 to 2007. Briggs was famed for his powerful punches and aggressive fighting style, boasting a knockout-to-win percentage of 88.3%, with 37 of those knockouts occurring in the first round.
Early Life
Born and raised in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York, Shannon Briggs faced challenging circumstances during his youth, including a period of homelessness. A significant moment in his life came at age 12, when he encountered Mike Tyson in Bristol Park, Brooklyn. This event profoundly impacted him, steering him towards a future in boxing. By the age of 17, Briggs began training under Jimmy O’Pharrow at Starrett City Boxing Club in Brooklyn. Diagnosed with asthma in his childhood, Briggs also suffered a personal tragedy when his mother passed away from a heroin overdose on his 25th birthday, December 4, 1996.
Amateur Career
Under the coaching of James O’Farrell, Briggs started his boxing journey at the Starrett City Boxing Club. He predominantly fought in the heavyweight category (201 lbs) and earned accolades such as the New York City Golden Gloves champion, New York State Champion, and National P.A.L. Champion. In 1991, he advanced to the finals of the Pan American Games and won a silver medal. Although he reached the finals on several byes, he lost the final match to Félix Savón. In 1992, Briggs became the United States Amateur Champion, and he was the winner of the 1991 Daily News Golden Gloves superheavyweight title. By December 1991, he was ranked third nationally in his class.
During his amateur career, Briggs also sparred with Phil Jackson, a professional boxer at that time, who was preparing for a bout against Razor Ruddock. During his early boxing years and as he turned professional, Briggs’s legal and managerial advisement was handled by Mike Marley, a former boxing writer for the Post.
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Early Career
Shannon Briggs commenced his professional boxing career in 1992 and remained undefeated across his initial 25 bouts, under the guidance of coach Teddy Atlas. His unblemished streak came to an end when Darroll Wilson knocked him out in three rounds during a fight in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1996. This match, which featured on HBO, showcased upcoming young heavyweights and marked Briggs’ first professional loss.
Lineal Heavyweight Champion
Briggs vs. Foreman
One of the notable fights in Briggs’ career was against the lineal champion George Foreman, which took place on November 22, 1997, at the Trump Taj Mahal Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Briggs entered the ring with a record of 29–1, having won 24 of those fights by knockout, and had accumulated 86 rounds in the ring. His sole defeat had come against Darroll “Doin’ Damage” Wilson the previous year on HBO, which had somewhat dented his rising status among heavyweight contenders. However, motivated by the opportunity to restore his reputation against a renowned opponent like Foreman, Briggs was determined to compete vigorously, stating his readiness to endure 12 rounds and secure a decision win.
George Foreman, after winning the WBA and IBF titles from Michael Moorer in late 1994, had relinquished those titles but retained the lineal championship. He defended his title against other undefeated prospects, including Crawford Grimsley and Lou Savarese, before facing Briggs. Despite a performance where Foreman landed more punches at a higher accuracy rate—284 of 488 punches for a 58% success rate compared to Briggs’ 45% (223 of 494 punches)—the fight ended controversially. Briggs was often on the retreat during the match, absorbing significant impacts from Foreman’s powerful punches, especially in the later rounds. Foreman’s relentless aggression in the final round broke Briggs’ nose but failed to achieve a knockout.
The judges’ scores were divided, with one scoring the fight a draw at 114–114, while the other two scored it 116–112 and 117–113 in favor of Briggs, awarding him the majority decision win and the lineal heavyweight title. The outcome was contentious, sparking debates among spectators and analysts regarding the decision.
Briggs vs Lewis
After defending his WBC title with a swift first-round knockout of Andrew Golota, Lennox Lewis was set to face the winner of the Briggs-Foreman elimination bout, as determined by the WBC for his next title defense. Despite protests from Foreman’s promoters and initial diversions towards a unification match with Evander Holyfield, Lewis ultimately agreed to a title defense against lineal champion Shannon Briggs. The bout, dubbed “March Badness,” would mark a pivotal moment in Briggs’ career.
During this high-stakes title defense, Lennox Lewis demonstrated his dominance in the ring. In the fifth round, Lewis delivered a devastating right hook that knocked Briggs down for the third time, at 1:09 into the round. Although Briggs pulled himself up after lying flat for five seconds, the fight took a decisive turn. Shortly after regaining his footing, Briggs lost his balance following a missed left hook, leading to him collapsing to the mat. Observing Briggs’ condition, referee Frank Cappuccino intervened, stopping the fight and awarding Lewis a victory by technical knockout. This match underscored the prowess of Lewis, who earned $4 million for the fight, compared to Briggs’ $1 million.
Reflecting on their encounter years later, in 2015, Lewis praised Shannon Briggs, noting that among all his opponents, Briggs had the fastest hands and the best punching power he had ever faced. This acknowledgment highlights the respect garnered by Briggs despite losing the bout, marking it as a significant event in both fighters’ careers
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Late career
From 1998 to 2006, following his defeat to Lennox Lewis, Shannon Briggs continued to compete in the heavyweight division, facing primarily lower-ranked opponents. During this period, he accumulated a record of 17 victories, all secured via knockout, suffered two defeats—one by majority decision and another by unanimous decision—and fought to a majority draw against Frans Botha in 1998. Among his notable victories were triumphs over Ray Mercer, Brian Scott, Luciano Zolyone, Dicky Ryan, and Chris Koval. These fights helped Briggs maintain his position in the heavyweight ranks and set the stage for future title defense opportunities.
WBO Heavyweight Championship: Briggs vs. Liakhovich
Shannon Briggs won the WBO heavyweight title in a dramatic finish against Sergei Liakhovich on November 4, 2006, at the Dreams Boxing Gym in Arizona. Heading into the last round, Briggs was behind on all judges’ scorecards with scores of 106–103, 106–103, and 105–104. In the pivotal last round, Briggs unleashed a flurry of punches that knocked Liakhovich down, trapping him against the ropes and eventually knocking him out of the ring onto a ringside table. The referee stopped the fight at 2:59, sealing Briggs’ victory just before a potential draw.
First Title Defense: Briggs vs. Ibragimov
In his first title defense, Briggs faced Sultan Ibragimov on June 2, 2007, after initially postponing the fight due to “aspiration pneumonia.” The bout, rescheduled in Atlantic City, ended with Briggs losing by unanimous decision with scores of 117–111, 119–109, and 115–113. Weighing in at 273 pounds, his heaviest, Briggs struggled with the pace and precision, which significantly affected his performance.
Return to the Ring: 2009-2010
After a brief hiatus, Briggs returned to the ring in 2009, starting with a first-round knockout against Marcus McGee. However, the victory was later nullified and changed to ‘No Contest’ after Briggs tested positive for a banned substance, later attributed to his asthma medication. He continued to fight throughout 2010, achieving first-round knockouts in all three bouts leading up to another significant challenge.
Challenge for WBC Title: Briggs vs. Vitali Klitschko
On October 16, 2010, Shannon Briggs challenged Vitali Klitschko for the WBC heavyweight title in a match dubbed ‘Thunderstorm’, held at the O2 World in Hamburg. Briggs suffered a unanimous decision defeat with scores of 120–107 across all scorecards. The fight was grueling; Briggs sustained severe injuries including a broken nose, a left orbital fracture, and a torn left biceps, leading to his immediate hospitalization in intensive care.
These sections provide a structured overview of Briggs’ pivotal moments in his boxing career, highlighting key fights and challenges.
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Shannon Briggs Comeback
After a hiatus exceeding three years, Shannon Briggs made a notable return to the ring in 2014, competing in six fights during that year and an additional two in 2015. Briggs dominated these matches, winning all eight, with seven victories coming via knockout. During this streak, he captured the NABA Heavyweight title, adding another accolade to his career achievements.
In one of these bouts, Briggs faced Zoltan Petranyi in Panama, where he secured a victory by knockout in the first round. The match ended with an unexpected moment when former cruiserweight world champion Guillermo Jones entered the ring and challenged Briggs to a fight. At the time, Briggs was actively pursuing a match with Wladimir Klitschko, the then unified and lineal world champion. Briggs responded to Jones by stating his intention to face him after Klitschko, although neither of these fights ultimately materialized. Briggs also gained attention during this period for a widely viewed video where he famously taunted Klitschko while the champion was paddleboarding.
Briggs’ Activities from 2016-2017
In 2016, Shannon Briggs made headlines again when he confronted David Haye during the press conference announcing Haye’s upcoming fight against Arnold Gjergjaj scheduled for May 21, 2016, at the O2 Arena. Haye proposed that Briggs could fight on the undercard of his event, with the promise of a future bout between them if Briggs was victorious. Briggs accepted this arrangement, setting the stage for his next fight.
Briggs vs. Zarate
Initially, Briggs was slated to face 6’7″ former European heavyweight champion Alexander Dimitrenko, boasting a record of 38 wins and 2 losses, with 27 of those wins by knockout. However, a last-minute opponent change shifted the bout to face Jakov Gospic, and then finally to Emilio Ezequiel Zarate. Briggs showcased his formidable power by stopping Zarate with powerful body shots in the first round, ending the fight at 2:22. This victory positioned Briggs for a potential clash with David Haye. The event was broadcast live on the free-to-air channel Dave, attracting over 1 million viewers, highlighting Briggs’ continued appeal and drawing power in the heavyweight division.
Shannon Briggs, a formidable force in heavyweight boxing, experienced a memorable moment in his career, though not directly related to Fort Smith. His discussions about upcoming fights and career plans often sparked the interest of fans worldwide, including those in cities like Fort Smith, where boxing enthusiasts keenly followed his journey. However, his actual fights and title defenses took place in well-known venues elsewhere, highlighting his prominence on the global stage rather than specific actions or events in Fort Smith.
FAQs About Shannon Briggs
1. How many KOs does Shannon Briggs have in his career?
Shannon Briggs achieved an impressive number of KOs in his boxing career, securing 37 KOs in the first round alone. His knockout power was a defining aspect of his style in the ring.
2. What was Shannon Briggs’ most famous KO?
One of the most famous KOs in Shannon Briggs’ career was against Sergei Liakhovich in 2006, where he won the WBO heavyweight title in the last round, dramatically knocking Liakhovich out of the ring.
3. Has Shannon Briggs ever won a fight by TKO?
Yes, Shannon Briggs has won several fights by TKO, showcasing his ability to overpower opponents not just with single knockout blows but through sustained damage that led referees to stop the fights.
4. What is Shannon Briggs’ record for KOs and TKOs combined?
Throughout his career, Shannon Briggs has accumulated a significant number of KOs and TKOs, with over 50 victories coming from knockouts and technical knockouts, highlighting his dominance in the heavyweight division.
5. Which fight did Shannon Briggs lose by TKO?
Shannon Briggs lost by TKO in his 1998 match against Lennox Lewis. In this bout, Briggs was knocked down multiple times before the referee called a stop to the match, awarding Lewis the victory by TKO.
6. How often did Shannon Briggs’ fights end in a TKO?
Shannon Briggs’ fights ended in a TKO on several occasions. His powerful punching ability often left opponents unable to continue, resulting in the referee stopping the fight to prevent further injury.
7. What role did Shannon Briggs play as a trainer?
As a trainer, Shannon Briggs took on the responsibility of coaching internet personality Logan Paul for his rematch against KSI. His experience and motivational presence were key components of his team’s strategy.
8. How did Shannon Briggs contribute to his team’s success?
Shannon Briggs’ contribution to his team was not just in his fighting prowess but also in his leadership and ability to inspire and motivate his team members, whether in the ring or as a trainer.
9. Has Shannon Briggs ever been hurt in a fight?
Yes, Shannon Briggs has been hurt in a fight, notably against Vitali Klitschko in 2010, where he suffered a TKO loss and sustained a broken nose, a torn left biceps, and other injuries.
10. How many times has Shannon Briggs’ team lost a fight by KO or TKO?
Shannon Briggs’ team saw him lose by KO once and by TKO twice throughout his career. Despite these setbacks, his overall record and performances remain highly respected in the boxing community.
11. What impact did Shannon Briggs’ point-scoring ability have on his fights?
Shannon Briggs’ ability to score points through aggressive punching and strategic fighting played a crucial role in matches that went the distance, helping him to secure victories on judges’ scorecards when fights did not end in a KO or TKO.
How Many title defense shannon briggs made?
Shannon Briggs defended his WBO heavyweight title once. After winning the title from Siarhei Liakhovich in November 2006, his first and only title defense was against Sultan Ibragimov in June 2007. Briggs lost this fight by unanimous decision, marking the end of his reign as the WBO heavyweight champion.