Paul Briggs Blasts Bigeni, Wilson Upsets Jimmy Thunder!

By Tony Nobbs

07.12 - After defeating New Zealand veteran Anthony Bigeni (23-10, 14 KO) in 83 seconds on Friday night, WBC #8 Paul Briggs restated that he will fight any of the world's top ten Lt. Heavyweight contenders as he nears a World Title shot. Briggs also reaffirmed his devastating punching power as he went straight on the attack, knocking down Bigeni early and finishing off with a two handed flurry.

"I have been challenging all of the top ten guys but none of them want a bar of me. I'm not worried about them but they all seem to be worried about me. I will win the World Title so they will have to fight me. And if Roy Jones comes back down, I will accommodate him too" said the 27 year old Hurricane from the Gold Coast in Queensland after taking his record to 18-1 with 15 KO's.

OPBF Champion Briggs is due to fight on the Tszyu-Leija undercard on January 19, but his opponent is once again TBA after American Bo Skipper pulled out during the week. The night turned out to be a great one for Queenslander's as in a co feature bout at the Victorian Netball and Hockey Centre in Melbourne, former Australian and OPBF Heavyweight Champion Colin "Kid" Wilson (24-15, 14 KO) outpointed Jimmy Thunder (35-14, 28 KO) over ten slow paced rounds. In the biggest win of his career, southpaw Wilson had too much skill and boxing ability for the plodding Thunder who had been hoping to Wilson as a stepping stone in a run to the top of the Heavyweight division and a possible monster pay day against former Champ Mike Tyson. This was 36 year old Thunder's first fight in Australia since knocking out Don Mackay in one round on March 18, 1994.

Credit must go to Wilson, 30, who began his pro career as a Super Middleweight in 1992 for getting himself in shape and being the only Australian willing to take the fight as the Samoan's reputable punching power had seen other local Heavyweight's price themselves out. IBF # 11 Middleweight "King" Sam Soliman (17-7, 4 KO) won an easy ten round decision over tough but limited New Zealander Mike Cope and Tosca Petridis (8-4, 3 KO) outscored PABA Lt Heavyweight Champion and WBA #14 Paul Murdoch (15-5-1,8 KO) in a Cruiserweight ten rounder. The promoters were Mark Fagan and Bill Hartman and PPV commentators Barry Michael and Brad Vocale.