Shannon Briggs “Homecoming” to NYC & Irish Sensation John Duddy

New York, October 13 – Brooklyn-born Shannon Briggs will be back in the Big Apple spotlight when the heavyweight contender headlines “The Homecoming” on Friday night, November 4, at the Hammerstein Ballroom on West 34th Street and Eighth Avenue, it was announced yesterday by Cedric Kushner.

The native of Brownsville and longtime West Orange, New Jersey, resident, returns to New York for some home cooking to the delight of his many local followers, trying to extend his unbeaten streak to seven straight in the 10-round heavyweight main event. Briggs is fresh off a sensational knockout score against longtime heavyweight contender Ray Mercer on August 26 at Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Florida.

The popular middleweight “Irish” John Duddy will battle in the co-feature on a highly-competitive undercard, looking to reel off his 13th consecutive win in the professional ranks.

Briggs, who has a stellar ring record of 43-4-1 with 37 by way of knockout, and Duddy, who has drilled 11 KO’s in his 12 career bouts, are bona fide knockout artists, adding to the aura of the night.

Another Irish-born standout, light middleweight James Moore (3-0, 2 KO’s), will also see action on the card. New York product, light heavyweight Yason Rashad (4-0, 1 KO) and Roberto Duran’s welterweight prospect Richard Gutierrez (16-0, 10 KO’s) are also scheduled for action on The Homecoming show. Three-time Golden Gloves champion Jorge Teron (6-0, 4 KO’s) of the Bronx is slated for competition in a light welterweight affair, as well.

“It is a pleasure to bring Shannon back to his roots here in New York, where he has thrilled so many fans,” said Kushner. “He is on a collision course for P. 2, Briggs, Duddy Headline The Homecoming another shot at the heavyweight title, and this will be another step toward that goal.

“John Duddy is one of the most popular fighters to hit the American shores from Ireland in many a year,” added Kushner, “and brings a thrill a minute to his many followers. This is sure to be a very exciting night of boxing at the Hammerstein.”

The bouts will be unionized boxing matches under the auspices of the Joint Association for Boxers. J.A.B., headed by former light heavyweight champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, was formed for the physical and financial protection of boxers and is affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

In the heavyweight main event, scheduled for 10 rounds, longtime world title contender Briggs is again focused on the heavyweight crown. He gave former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis a major tussle, and has fought some of the best in the world during the past decade. Briggs has captured 11 of his last 12 fights.

John Francis Duddy is one of boxing’s hard hitters. The native of Derry, Ireland, has registered eight first round knockouts in 12 bouts during a young career, in an “if you blinked you missed it” style that has captured the fancy of his countrymen here in New York, where he has fought all but a handful of his pro contests.

Tickets for “The Homecoming” are priced at $40, $60, $75, $110, $160 and $200, and are now available by calling Cedric Kushner at 212-755-1944.

SHANNON BRIGGS
Born: Brooklyn, New York Hometown: West Orange, NJ
Born: December 14, 1971 Age: 33

Height: 6’4″

Record: 43-4-1, 37 KO’s

There are few men that can walk into a room and command admiration by their presence alone. Shannon Briggs is one of those men. He is a man who is just as comfortable in the company of peasants and kings. He is the epitome of a renaissance man. A multi-faceted, multi-talented man, who in today’s world of image, is driven solely by his inner will to succeed at anything he attempts.

To that effect Shannon Briggs has met or surpassed every goal he has set for himself. Shannon wanted to become a force in the sport of boxing, he became Heavyweight Champion of the World. Shannon wanted to become a rap artist, he recorded tracks with the Fugees, and Shannon wanted to become an actor, he made his Big Screen debut in one of the biggest blockbusters of 2003, Bad Boys II. Now Shannon Briggs wants to become undisputed heavyweight Champion of the World. It is only a matter of time before he will achieve that goal.

Shannon Briggs grew up in Brownsville Brooklyn. He was raised by his mother Margie. Growing up in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the country, the same section of Brooklyn that produced Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe, Briggs learned fast about his “kill or be killed” environment. While many of the people Shannon grew up with turned to drugs and crime, Shannon found boxing. After serious training sessions at Jimmy O’s Starrett City Gym, he emerged as an amateur boxing sensation. By taking control of his raw, natural abilities, and dedicating himself to boxing Shannon Briggs became a force to be reckoned with in the ring. By the time he was 21 years old, Shannon had accomplished everything an amateur boxer could hope for, and then some. Shannon had amassed an amateur record second to none. Shannon won the Amateur National Championship, took home the Silver Medal from the 1992 Pan Am Games, and was leading contender for the Gold Medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, until a wrist injury took him out just before the Olympic trials.

Shannon knew he was destined for greatness, so did Evander Holyfield. The legendary heavyweight fighter saw Shannon Briggs box as a 19-year-old amateur, and predicted that the skilled, punishing boxer would one day achieve greatness. “The first time I saw him, when he won the national amateur championship, I said he’s a future champion.” Determined to overcome his injury and keep boxing, Shannon turned pro in 1992. Shannon’s professional career record began with a remarkable undefeated run of 25 fights. To date, Shannon has entered the ring 45 times. He has 43 wins, 37 KO’s, 24 of which have come in the first round. His record speaks for itself. His love for the sport boxing, Briggs, too combined with his trademark, the Golden Dreads, and his charismatic personality helped catapult him into the international spotlight.

After enduring a tough childhood, Shannon Briggs has emerged as a true American success story. But while he has risen to the upper echelon of a brutal profession through sheer force, he remains as thoughtful, considerate and compassionate as anyone outside of the ring. Briggs speaks out passionately on the subject of homelessness, working for charities such as Homes for Homeless Kids, and has been vocal in condemning the negative elements of black youth culture. He frequently visits children to encourage them to stay in school and on a straight path.

During his rapid rise to the upper echelon of professional boxing, Shannon Briggs has enjoyed similar success in the entertainment arena.

It’s easy to see why. With his menacing glare, flowing honey-colored dreadlocks and charismatic demeanor, Briggs is a natural for film, television and radio work.

Briggs has modeled in the pages of major magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, Top Model, Details, Vibe and The Source. He has also enjoyed several supporting roles on both the large and small screens. He guest starred in an episode of “New York Undercover”, and has appeared in the box office hit “Bad Boys II” – in which he plays a Haitian mob boss opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Future roles in film include TransporterII, and Retirement with Rip Torn and Peter Falk (Columbo).

Briggs also has solid experience in the realm of music, rapping on the Fugees’ multi-platinum album “The Score” and making several memorable appearances on the nationally syndicated “Howard Stern Radio Show”. Briggs has also worked in sports broadcasting, providing commentary opposite Larry Michaels for the popular cable boxing and music series “Thunderbox”, as well as the successful Ballroom Boxing.

Now Shannon Briggs has set his sights on becoming undisputed Heavyweight champion. It is only a matter of time before he will be standing there in the ring holding the title belt, and hearing his name announced. There is nothing Shannon Briggs can’t do, he is in many respects already champion.