13.02.07 – By James Slater: America’s only reigning heavyweight champion, Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs is currently in the middle of training for his March 10th showdown with Sultan Ibragimov – a fight being held at the legendary Madison Square Garden. Despite his commitments, however, Shannon – one of boxing’s friendliest personalities – graciously found the time to speak with this writer. The following is what he had to say.
James Slater: I appreciate speaking with you Shannon. Firstly, how are preparations going for the Ibragimov fight?
Shannon Briggs: Preparations are going well. I’m training right now, just looking forward to defending the title and taking it from there.
J.S: Have you watched tapes of Sultan?
S.B: Yeah, I’ve seen his a few times and I’m impressed you know, but I think he’s out of his league as far as experience goes..
J.S: You don’t think the southpaw style he has will pose any problems?
S.B: No, I’m working really hard preparing for his style and I feel good about it.
J.S: I know tickets for the fight are selling really well, do you feel as though you’re pretty much at your peak right now – mentally, physically and from a popularity standpoint?
S.B: Yes definitely. My career’s definitely turned around, thanks to my manager Scott Hirsch. I guess you could say I’m at my peak physically, but I don’t think I am yet. Some fighters get better with age and I think I’m one of those guys. Mike Tyson was a phenomenon, a world champion at twenty – Michael was pretty much a freak of nature. I feel my best days are still to come.
J.S: I don’t know if you’re a guy who makes predictions, but what do you think will happen on March 10th?
S.B: Yeah, I’ll knock him out in the first round.
J.S: Really?
S.B: Yes I will, I am going to make another statement.
J.S: I know you’ve called (Wladimir) Klitschko out in the past, is he the one you really want?
S.B: He’s the only person I want. That’s the only fight that really gets me motivated. I’m thirty-five, I’ve had over fifty fights. I don’t think I’m in my prime yet but it takes a lot more motivation at thirty-five instead of twenty-five and that’s the fight that motivates me. It’s a fight I dream about because I know knocking him out will really make a statement and get a lot of attention, much more than me knocking out Ibragimov – a kid with only nineteen fights. He’s (Ibragimov) an unknown, I can’t find a person that knows him.
J.S: What weight do you intend coming in at on March 10th, do you know?
S.B: No, I don’t weigh myself. I’ll find out at the weigh-in before the fight. I’m a heavyweight so I’m gonna be heavy (laughs). I feel good whether I’m 270 or 250, it doesn’t matter.
J.S: You must feel really proud right now, Shannon, being the only American belt holder at heavyweight?
S.B: Er, well to be honest with you, I think the country being as , quote, unquote, patriotic, as people say they are, there ought to be a lot more. But for the most part people don’t really care, unfortunately. People’s attention isn’t really on boxing in this country right now. I felt really good about it (the win over Liakhovich) but it hurt me that people were still upset. They were saying before the fight, “Oh, he’s the best technically of all the heavyweight champions,” but after I knocked him out they said he was a bum (laughs). What can I tell you? I’m just living my life and hopefully I’ll get the chance to unify soon. After I do that Hopefully I’ll get the respect I feel I deserve. You know, I turned pro in 1992 – if you look at the guys who were around then also, guys like David Tua and Jeremy Williams – none of them are around today. So if anything, they ought to give me an award for perseverance (laughs) I kept going on.
J.S: Yeah, you have certainly persevered Shannon. I want to thank you for your time and best of luck for the 10th. I hope you do win, because I’d love to see you fight Klitschko, I think that’d be a great fight.
S.B: Thank you sir, bye.