Former heavyweight world champion Shannon Briggs has named his ‘face of boxing’ – and it’s a fighter who has been retired for some time.
Briggs is not officially retried himself despite being in his fifties and still has hopes of facing MMA fighter Rampage sometime soon. He hasn’t fought professionally since 2016 but came up in a classic era alongside the likes of Lennox Lewis, who he lost to, and Mike Tyson, who he grew up with in Brownsville in New York.
Across his 58-fight career, ‘Iron’ Mike won 50 times, 44 by knockout, and 12 of them in the first round. He Lost six times but was undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990 and became the lineal champion when he beat Michael Spinks within 91 seconds of the first round.
Tyson was recently back in the boxing headlines for training former MMA champion turned boxing novice Francis Ngannou in his close fought but split decision loss to Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia in October.
Speaking to ESNews, Briggs was talking about why people still love Mike Tyson.
“Because he’s a phenomenal person. To get through the things he’s come through, come on. He was the youngest heavyweight champion in history. He’s funny, he’s charismatic, he can fight. He’s a man who came from nothing to become one of the greatest of all times.”
He was then asked who is the face of boxing and didn’t hesitate with his answer.
“Still Mike Tyson!”