14.12.06 – By Scoop Malinowski: Shannon Briggs, WBO Heavyweight champion. It just might be the biggest surprise of 2006. Many fans, writers, even promoters gave up on Shannon Briggs who was generally deemed to be lacking the heart and determination required to be a champion. But like one James ‘Buster’ Douglas, the Brooklyn-native was able to galvanize all his speed, power and experience into one special night. And on November 4th in Phoenix, with that 12th round blockbuster right hand, Shannon Briggs forever became a part of boxing history.
The new champ took time to discuss his spectacular triumph:
Scoop: What was your strategy going into round 12?
Shannon Briggs: Although I thought I was winning the fight I knew he was more than likely getting the rounds because it was his hometown and he was the Champion. I knew I had to make it happen so I thought to myself “Go home tired.” I shot all I had left on every punch in the last round..
Scoop: How did you set up the winning punch?
Shannon Briggs: Honestly I threw every punch in that round with bad intentions. I have a weird way of thinking. I feel like if I hit a guy hard enough at the least he will go home in pain. Fortunately thinking like that gets me a lot of KO’s. I figured if I lost, he’s going home with an injury. That’s how I felt after the Botha fight. I was on the going home in pain side.
Scoop: Your immediate reaction to such a dramatic victory was a bit understated. Where I was watching, people were jumping out of their chairs. Were you shocked yourself? Or exhausted?
Shannon Briggs: Exhausted. Honestly, winded from asthma. Actually not tired at all. From round one I was under distress wind-wise. Maybe it was the adrenaline that kicked in the shortness-of-breath after hurting him in the first round.
Scoop: Do you remember who the first person was that looked you in the eye and said, You can be champion?
Shannon Briggs: My mother. She brought me my first pair of boxing boots and said if your going to box then knock’em out fast. Don’t stay in there too long, you know you have asthma.
Scoop: Your career and life have been a roller coaster ride. Honestly, did you ever give up the hope of being a champion at any point?
Shannon Briggs: Not once. I was blessed with talent as a fighter. I knew it would just take time and the right people around me. Scott Hirsch was the right manager. My wife Alana was the right woman. Better late than never.
Scoop: Now that you are a champion, how has your life changed? Do you feel you’re finally getting the respect you deserve? Have your second cousins been coming out of the woodwork? Did Mike Tyson or Riddick Bowe call to congratulate?
Shannon Briggs: No love. It saddened me at first but I said fuck it and went and got drunk. Just kidding. Nah, really it depressed me a little because everyone said how dude was the best out of the heavyweight champions skill-wise and then when I stretch him flat they say ahh well he wasn’t that good. Meanwhile, on every website he’s the best and on all the networks. ALL. And on top of that as many patriotic mutha fucka’s there are in this world, I bring a belt back to the U.S. and no one cares. OK I’m sad again.
Scoop: And now you’re at the high point, looking back, what was the low point?
Shannon Briggs: Losing to Sedrick Fields, to McCline as well. McCline because I was out of shape. Same with Fields. But I felt I still won.
Check out the new champ’s website: www.shannonbriggs.com