Shannon Briggs Will Go For British Boxing License, Eyes UK Fight

[Ruthless-RKO]

Former heavyweight world champion Shannon Briggs, 47 years old, is applying for a British boxing license and wants to fight in the UK.

Briggs has been out of the ring for nearly three years time. The last time he saw action was on UK soil, when he picked up a first round knockout on a David Haye undercard.

There are many who view Briggs as being retired, but he intends to continue fighting.

"We've been trying to look for the right fight," Briggs told Sky Sports. "I'm actually going to go in front of the [British Boxing Board of Control], and hopefully get a licence here to fight. I've been licenced to fight in the US, but I would love to fight here in England.

"Hopefully you'll see me in the ring in June or July, but I'll be back this year hopefully. I get a great response from the people. People seem to be fans, so I'd love to fight here, but if not, I'll hopefully fight on the undercard of Tyson Fury. If not, I'll still keep at it. I'll never give up.”

According to Briggs, he recently spoke with Tyson Fury, who returns to the ring on June 15th against undefeated German contender Tom Schwarz in Las Vegas.

"I spoke to [Fury] a few weeks ago," Briggs added. "He's a good guy, a great guy. The boxing brotherhood lives on forever, and the fact that he even reached out and said 'I'll give you a shot' and get me on the card, that shows love from a fellow boxer, because he sees a guy not working, not being busy in the ring.

"He's like 'I'm going to give him a shot.' I've got to respect and love him for that. I just want to have fun. This is what I've been doing all my life. To become a heavyweight champion would be phenomenal again, in three different decades.

"Aside from that, boxing is therapy for me, a guy like myself, I've been through a lot in my life, and boxing is my therapy to calm me down, kind of forget the rough things and to actually put my best foot forward. Exercise is great for all types of depression. I use exercise as my way out. That's my help."

[oogiebe]

Pretty soon the HW division will have a senior league. WBA will add three new belts!!!

Danny Williams
Sam Peter
Shannon Briggs
Oliver McCall
et al...

[deadpan]

Surely he won't get a license.
Malta or Luxembourg, sit by the phone.

[tobyh5]

Why doesn't he just bore off?

Initially, in whatever year it was, the "Let's go champ" schtick was fun, that scene in the restaurant and the paddle board with Wlad was mildly amusing, by the time he did that stupid pretend spar shite with him, I was bored. The fcking steds have screwed his mind

[oogiebe]

He's getting a 'bump' from Sky Sports Boxing. Says he's coming back "for the people." What people he's referring to is beyond me!!! Boxing is getting more like WWE! Briggs will do a great promo!

[oogiebe]

He's still very likable! Amazing.

[northern]

If he's in good shape and fully healthy, I can't see why they should refuse him a license, if it is something he wants to continue doing and he is fully capable of doing so to a professional competitive level.

I never want to see a boxer carry on to the point where he has to be carried out of the ring by his coaches after another poor performance, Danny Williams is a perfect example of this.
But Briggs hasn't shown that sort of shop worn veteran performance when he's been in the ring, If he can pass a sparring test easily, he can defend himself and therefore is capable of doing it, I say let him fight.

David Howe, Chris Burton, DL Jones are all in their late 30's, and that's just in the UK rankings, Tomasz Adamek and Alexander Ustinov are 42 and still ranked in the top 50 in the European rankings by Boxrec.
I'm all for saying a boxer should know when it's time to call it a career but Shannon Briggs has performed, entertained and lived up to what was expected of him.
Probably not 12 round fights either but 10 and 8 rounds wouldn't be hard to believe, will he have another world title challenge in him? Not a chance. Will he show up, perform and entertain a sold out crowd? Definitely

[jlh]

I'm pretty bored of it now. However, him versus Dave Allen would be an good retirement fight for him to give him that final payday.

[Nightmare Roy]

Why doesn't he just bore off?

Initially, in whatever year it was, the "Let's go champ" schtick was fun, that scene in the restaurant and the paddle board with Wlad was mildly amusing, by the time he did that stupid pretend spar shite with him, I was bored. The fcking steds have screwed his mind

I’m guessing becuase like 99.99% of boxers at the end of the line, he’s broke.

[oogiebe]

Why doesn't he just bore off?

Initially, in whatever year it was, the "Let's go champ" schtick was fun, that scene in the restaurant and the paddle board with Wlad was mildly amusing, by the time he did that stupid pretend spar shite with him, I was bored. The fcking steds have screwed his mind

I’m guessing becuase like 99.99% of boxers at the end of the line, he’s broke.

I'm guessing that he just smells all the money going around, regardless of his own financials.

[jamesmcdonnell]

He's still very likable! Amazing.

Shes hot is that presenter.

[oogiebe]

He's still very likable! Amazing.

Shes hot is that presenter.

Maybe he should have kissed her.

[tobyh5]

Why doesn't he just bore off?

Initially, in whatever year it was, the "Let's go champ" schtick was fun, that scene in the restaurant and the paddle board with Wlad was mildly amusing, by the time he did that stupid pretend spar shite with him, I was bored. The fcking steds have screwed his mind

I’m guessing becuase like 99.99% of boxers at the end of the line, he’s broke.

Oh for sure, I get that. I was not literally asking why he does not go away, I was suggesting that he should, that I wish he would.

[Steveh583]

If Dave Allen gets past Lucas Brown I wouldn't mind seeing this

[kbackup408]

I think it makes no sense licensing a 47 year old - unless you are living like BHop (even he got stopped in his last bout) - there is correlation between increase in age and risk of brain trauma !

[Controversial]

He needs to retire, he's not fought for almost three years and the last world class opponent was 9 years ago (Klitschko in 2010).

[spudder56]

I would be very surprised if the board were to grant him a licence tbh
He would be better off going down the BIBA Malta route I’m sure they would welcome him with open arms

[jameswilson]

Him vs Price would be a good one.

[leejonesjnr]

I would be very surprised if the board were to grant him a licence tbh
He would be better off going down the BIBA Malta route I’m sure they would welcome him with open arms

No money there for him though

[spudder56]

I would be very surprised if the board were to grant him a licence tbh
He would be better off going down the BIBA Malta route I’m sure they would welcome him with open arms

No money there for him though
[/quote

Oh ok I thought perhaps he could fight lee macallister on one of his mega events in Aberdeen I’m sure that mr di caro would publicise to the hilt and it would sell out

[HeavyHitters]

Pretty soon the HW division will have a senior league. WBA will add three new belts!!!

Danny Williams
Sam Peter
Shannon Briggs
Oliver McCall
et al...

You left out George Foreman!