Fabled heavyweight knockout artist Shannon Briggs has been prevalent in the influencer boxing scene since hanging up the gloves but now seems set to go one step further and make a comeback to the ring. Now, the 52-year-old has revealed a date for when he expects to make his ring return.
After winning a national championship as an amateur, Briggs turned professional in 1992 and went on to defeat his first 25 opponents, winning by knockout on 20 occasions, before he was halted by Darroll Wilson in 1996.
However, four consecutive stoppage wins earnt ‘The Cannon’ a shot at legendary heavyweight veteran George Foreman, who he defeated by majority-decision in what turned out to be Foreman’s final contest.
That victory thrust Briggs into a world title shot against WBC title-holder Lennox Lewis but the American came up short and was stopped in the fifth-round and would not return to the title picture for many years to come.
Eight-and-a-half years later, after a streak of 11 straight victories, Briggs was finally able to get his hands on a world title when he pulled off a dramatic final-round knockout against WBO champion Siarhei Liakhovich whilst behind on the scorecards.
With ONE SECOND LEFT in the 12th round and behind on all three cards, former lineal king @TheCannonBriggs knocks out (WBO titlist) Siarhei Liakhovich!!!
[November 4, 2006] pic.twitter.com/fTlN3bXfne
— Lineal Boxing Champion (@LinealBoxChamp) May 27, 2024
Briggs would lose his belt without making a defence and was outpointed by Vitali Klitschko to a final challenge for world honours in 2010, before registering 10 straight wins and hanging up the gloves in 2016.
Yet, despite hanging up the gloves, Briggs is often seen at fight nights across the pond and famously trained YouTuber Logan Paul for his fight against KSI in 2019.
Now, Briggs has confirmed that he is actively pursuing a comeback to boxing, whether that be as a professional or with Misfits, he told Fred Talks Fighting.
‼️ Shannon Briggs is hoping to fight by March 🔜🥊
[Via – @fredpdbeck on YT] pic.twitter.com/VjsY1pjAzd
— IFN (@IfnBoxing) November 9, 2024
“I miss it actually, I am looking to get back into shape. I have been in the gym and I’m looking to hopefully be ready to fight again by March.
“I am going to fight again.
“[I would fight on Misfits] if the money is right, yeah, but I am getting back in shape and I’m back in the gym, I am hitting hard, I am strong.”
“I am just as fast as I was.”
The former WBO heavyweight champion becomes the latest of the influx of retired fighters hoping to return to action, with Mike Tyson, Ike Ibeabuchi and Manny Pacquiao all on the verge of comebacks of their own.
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