25.05.06 – By Laz Izada: Cedric’s Kushner’s “Premier” of Gotham Boxing was the # 1 show in the Big Apple on Wednesday night. Anxious boxing fans gathered at the cozy Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan to see the best local up and coming boxing talent and the return of the big man, Brooklyn’s heavyweight bashing KO artist Shannon Briggs 47-4-1(41 KO’s). Briggs, ranked # 5 by the WBO, was taking on Chris “Special K” Koval 23-3 (18 KO’s) from Youngstown, Ohio for the Vacant USBA Heavyweight Title. Brigg’s two other U.S. belts, the NABA, and the NABO versions, where also at stake.
Briggs, 2005 Comeback Fighter of the Year, was looking for his 11th KO in a row and was making his first appearance with new trainer Jeff Mayweather. Koval had everything to gain in this matchup, while Briggs had everything to lose in his comeback quest for a world title again. Briggs came in at 273 lbs, while Koval came in at 266 lbs. Now, I know what you are thinking, 273 lbs for Briggs, he must be pretty fat, right? Not the case at all from seeing him live, as he is built like a solid rock. His muscular physique was quite impressive and did not hinder his boxing speed and flexibility. For 3 rounds, Briggs toyed with Koval, as he was eating massive right hands from Briggs.
Briggs showed superior boxing skills displayed an excellent jab and a strong right and bobbed and weaved in good fashion. In the 3rd round, Koval had no escape, as Briggs had him timed and measured for more overpowering rights that connected and knocked Koval down in horrific devastating fashion twice in the round. Finally, when Briggs came in for a third knockdown to end it, the referee had seen enough as he stopped the bout after a third knock down in the round, one that seriously hurt Koval. As I am writing this, I hope that Koval is well, considering the beating he took. Briggs punching power is something else, perhaps the strongest in the division.
I definitely believe Briggs is a better fighter this time around, for he seems stronger, wiser relaxed and poised in the ring, a true professional going in for the kill. The fans loved the knockout action (his punching power). From what I saw, he would give any champ a tough fight, and it won’t be long before he gets a title shot and the exposure on PPV, HBO and Showtime boxing, something that, I feel, he deserves. So, fight fans can witness what I just saw. Briggs is one heavyweight mean machine. By destroying Koval, he scored his 11th knockout in a row and 41st KO of his career, which ties him with Wladimir Klitschko (41 KO’s). Frankly, a fight between those two, would be a match made in heaven for fight fans to see.
Briggs would like to eventually bring back a title belt from Eastern Europe. He is quite qualified to represent the USA as he did in the Pan Am Games and an injury prevented him from the 92 Olympics, which he regrets. He would love to make up for it as a pro.
In the Pan Am Games, while fighting as a youngster, he won the silver medal, losing in the gold match to the much older Cuban super heavyweight legend, Felix Savon.
Briggs now has the experience, the punching power, and boxing skills to take on the Russians, and he fears nobody, making him the most qualified heavyweight to bring a belt back home to the red, white, and blue. Seeing is believing.