Shannon Briggs back in Beantown
Managing protégé in April 18 fight card at Strand Theatre in Dorchester
11.04 - BOSTON, Mass. – One of the top heavyweight boxers in the world, Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs (37-4-1, 31 KOs), after more than a decade’s absence comes back to Boston Friday night, April 18 for the “Return of the Backyard Brawl,” promoted by Pendarvis Boxing Promotions, at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester.
Briggs’ however, will not be fighting. He will, however, be working the corner of his young protégé, Andy Weston (2-0, 2 KOs), of Miami via London, who Shannon manages. Weston faces Joe Jackson (2-3), of Washington D.C., in a four-round junior middleweight match.
The last time Briggs was in the Boston area was 1992, when he was 6-0 as a pro and facing Tony Simpson on a card held at Wonderland Greyhound Park in nearby Revere. Right before the fight, Shannon was forced to shave off his goatee due to an obscure Mass. Boxing Commission rule at that time. Briggs -- sporting a cleanly shaven chin -- took out his frustration on Simpson, who Shannon knocked out in less than a minute of the opening round.
“We’re thrilled Shannon Briggs is going to part of ‘Return of the Backyard Brawl’ right here in the historic Strand Theatre,” promoter Doug Pendarvis said. “I remember him beating the great George Foreman (1997). Briggs is still one of the best heavyweights in the world.”
Pendarvis, in association with Danny Kelley, Irish Emigrant, Frugal McDoogal’s, Miller Beer, Ramada Inn of Dorchester, Croke Park, and the Tara Pub, is promoting “Return of the Backyard Brawl.”
“Big Trouble” fights plain old “Trouble” in the main event as popular super middleweight Shawn “Big Trouble” Creegan (15-2-3, 2 KOs) headlines “Return of the Backyard Brawl” against Shannon “Trouble” Miller (14-24-7, 10 KOs) in a scheduled 8-rounder. Creegan, of Plainville (MA), is a non-stop punching machine, while Miller, from Mississippi, has fought some of the best boxers in the world such as Syd Vanderpool, Thomas Tate, and Robert Allen.
The much-anticipated rematch between Jason “The Hammer” LeHoullier (5-0, 4 KOs), of Portland (ME), and Tommy “The Bull” Attardo (10-12-1, 2 KOs), of South Boston (MA), is the 6-round co-feature. LeHoullier won an action packed 6-round decision against Attardo last November.
Other local fighters slated to appear on the undercard include Randolph heavyweight Billy “The Kid” Moffard (4-1-1, 1 KO), South Boston super middleweight Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton (4-0, 1 KO), Dorchester heavyweight Mike Beverly (1-0, 1 KO), Worcester super welterweight Bobby McAndrews (1-2-1, 1 KO), and Haverhill prospect, junior welterweight Alex Insante, making his pro debut.
All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Ticket prices are $40.00 ringside, $25.00 general admission and $15.00 bleachers. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 8 p.m. To order tickets call Pendarvis Boxing Promotions (617.825.3283), Strand Theatre box office (617.282.8000), Corke Park (617.464.4869) or Tara Pub (617.282.5687). The Strand Theatre is located at 543 Columbus Road, Dorchester. For more information visit its Web site at www.strandtheatreboston.com.
