Former heavyweight champ Shannon Briggs, who has been chasing a big fight with David Haye, seems to think he has found himself a world title chance instead. The vocal 44-year-old, who insists Haye will not face him due to fear, posted on his Instagram account how he will be facing Australia’s Lucas Browne for the soon to be vacant WBA belt.
“BREAKING: WBA to order Shannon Briggs and Lucas Browne to fight for Tyson Fury’s vacated WBA world heavyweight title,” Briggs posted on social media yesterday.
There has still been no official confirmation by the WBA – either about this possible fight or if the organisation will agree to sanction the mooted Wladimir Klitschko-Anthony Joshua fight, pencilled in for next spring some time – but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Briggs and Browne, a former claimant of a version of the WBA title, did fight. Maybe if the two big punchers do collide, the bout will contest the “regular” version of the WBA belt. Briggs did not name a date or a venue for the fight.
Briggs-Browne is not a bad fight, either. Briggs can still bang, Browne showed real heart in his upset win over Ruslan Chagaev, and together the two might put on an exciting fight. Briggs is dangerous – against any fighter – for a few rounds before he inevitably gasses out, and Browne has a good chin and good stamina. If this fight does happen, Browne will likely be expected by most to get the win; if he can get through those early rounds.
With Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz set to fight for the vacant WBO title and with Briggs-Browne and Klitschko-Joshua both possible, fans can at least look forward to some interesting heavyweight action.
Briggs, 60-6-1(53) last fought back in May when he crushed Emilio Zarate inside a round in London. Browne, 24-0(21) last boxed in March of this year when he stopped Chagaev in a terrific fight; arguably the best heavyweight battle of 2016 so far.
