Shannon Briggs vs. Marcus McGee
Shannon Briggs 272 lbs fought without result Marcus McGee 224 lbs by NC at 2:01 in round 1 of 8
- Date: 2009-12-03
- Location: Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom, New York, New York, USA
- Referee: Wayne Kelly
- Judge: Steve Epstein
- Judge: Don Trella
- Judge: Matt Ruggero
In a televised Versus cable bout, former world heavyweight champion Shannon 'The Cannon' Briggs made his first ring appearance in two and a half years and scored his twenty-ninth first round knockout. Briggs came forward with little movement straight at McGee, picking off what little McGee cared to throw and looking to 'find his range' to counterpunch. Briggs landed a right hand power shot to the ribs that dropped veteran Marcus McGee for the ten count. McGee was counted out at 2:01.
Briggs, who looked in very fine condition, noted in the postfight interview that he had gone from 334 pounds to 254 for this fight, and then back up to 270. Briggs stated " The left was my bread and butter punch, but they had me working on my right." His Brownsville friends inspired his comeback. "I don't feel my career is fullfilled until I knock out the Klitschkos for the count!"
After the bout, Briggs tested positive for a banned substance, and was suspended for 90 days by the New York State Athletic Commission. The result of the bout was changed to 'No Contest'. Ivalyo Gotzev, Briggs manager, stated after the bout that Briggs was on medication to control his asthma. "He's not a steroid user or a drug user. We're using medication. We're consulting with his physicians and seeing how to make the proper adjustments to make sure this doesn't happen again."