01.12.06 – By Matt Yanofsky: I had the pleasure of speaking with newly crowned WBO Champion Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs (48-4-1 42 KO’S). Briggs was scheduled to fight Wladimir Klitchko but after contractual issues ended up fighting and defeating Serguei Lyakhovich. Fans can reach Shannon at ShannonBriggs.com or Myspace.com/BriggsBoxing.
MY: Shannon what’s up man, congrats on the incredible knockout victory over Serguei Lyakhovich. Going into the 12th, did your corner say you needed a knockout to win?
SB: Yeah they did, my trainer said we needed a KO to win and I was behind on points and we needed a knockout. I went into the 12 th aggressively and came out with the knockout victory and the WBO Belt..
MY: You were originally scheduled to fight Wladimir Klistchko at the Garden, a fight eventually given to Calvin Brock. What exactly happened? We have all heard many stories about why Klitschko didn’t want to fight you or is that what even happened?
SB: That’s exactly what happened, they had me waiting 2 ½ months saying we had the fight at The Garden. They never signed and they basically used me for publicity. Instead they signed Brock who has no big fight experience. He also is not much of a puncher.
MY: Shannon you have had many ups and downs in your career. What would you consider the highlight and low point of your career?
SB: Losing to fields was upsetting but I felt I won that fight. My whole career has been a highlight, I’ve traveled the world, met a lot of fans and done things outside of boxing. I’ve even acted and modeled.
MY: It was just announced that on February 17th, you would fight Sultan Ibragimov who is your mandatory challenger. Ibragimov has been talking a lot of trash about how bad he wants to fight you and how he feels he can defeat you. What do you have to say to Sultan?
SB: I’m gonna knock him out. He’s too young and in experienced, he only has 20 fights. He just came off a draw with Ray Austin in a fight I felt Austin won… Sultan did not impress me!
MY: In a fight all fans remember, you had Lennox Lewis hurt before eventually getting stopped. What happened in that fight and did you ever approach a rematch?
SB: Well, I threw a punch and slipped to the floor. I was knocked down and not hurt. I wasn’t experienced at the time but I learned a lot. That fight did a lot for me in my career and helped me move forward.
MY: One thing that amazes me about you is that even at around 270 pounds you still have arguably the fastest hands in the Heavyweight Division. How have you kept your hand speed while moving up in weight?
SB: That’s just natural talent; I’ve always had great hand speed. I feel great about it and you know I’ve successfully kept the speed with me even while moving up in weight. I feel great right now. I’m the best Heavyweight, even with asthma!
MY: Shannon thanks for your time champ! What do you have to say to all your fans and the readers of BrickCityBoxing.Com and EastSideBoxing.com?
SB: Thank you for the interview thanks for the support and giving me a chance to be heard.