If it was up to you: would you license Shannon Briggs to fight in the UK?

[Horse]

You are talking about 6 years ago.

He's got no business getting in the ring with top heavyweights, and gentlemen like yourself are part of the problem and not the solution.

We don't know if Haye is still a top heavyweight or not.

People need saving from themselves.

Briggs fought Lennox just 2 years after Bruno was a reigning world champion. That's how fecking old and irrelevant he is. He is from an era that is long gone.

Tyson Fury was still in nappies when Briggs turned professional.

What's that got to do with whether he is irrelevant or not?

If he can beat Dimitrenko, then I don't see why he is an unworthy opponent for Haye.

[Tarkus]

I entirely agree. Boxing is far too dangerous a sport to allow wildly overmatched opponents to take risks like this on the basis that they are a 'personality' or 'good fun.'

Briggs is 46, and has had a long career, and taken a fair few serious beatings already. It's really all about levels, there's probably people he could come to the UK and beat, but if he's going to be facing the likes of Haye, then it would be a very bad matchup.

Who is wildly overmatched? So far he is fighting Dimitrenko. If he beats him then he has a genuine claim on a shot at over the hill Haye.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I entirely agree. Boxing is far too dangerous a sport to allow wildly overmatched opponents to take risks like this on the basis that they are a 'personality' or 'good fun.'

Briggs is 46, and has had a long career, and taken a fair few serious beatings already. It's really all about levels, there's probably people he could come to the UK and beat, but if he's going to be facing the likes of Haye, then it would be a very bad matchup.

Who is wildly overmatched? So far he is fighting Dimitrenko. If he beats him then he has a genuine claim on a shot at over the hill Haye.

It does seem rather unlikely on the form book that he will prevail against Dimitrenko. If he does, I guess I'll swallow my words.

[tijuana1]

Shannon should definitely not box at the level of Haymaker etc. I wasn't allowed to box after having 32 pro fights and wanting one more fight, under restrictions on a home show ( hand picked opponent ). The area council said no so why should big well known names who are well passed it blowing out there arse Be allowed to box in 10/12 rd fights against two weight division champ

[Horse]

Shannon should definitely not box at the level of Haymaker etc. I wasn't allowed to box after having 32 pro fights and wanting one more fight, under restrictions on a home show ( hand picked opponent ). The area council said no so why should big well known names who are well passed it blowing out there arse Be allowed to box in 10/12 rd fights against two weight division champ

Bitter?

[gilgamesh]

I don't see why not if he can pass all of the prefight physicals and examinations and all that, but I wouldn't be sanctioning any fights for him to take on a dangerous opponent without at least seeing him defeat a Top 40 opponent. Something he hasn't done in a long time.

[tijuana1]

Yep. Some councils let guys fight 200 / 300 pro bouts. Yorkshire no chance. Just find it strange. Back to Shannon No way with Haymaker

[gilgamesh]

I don't think he'll beat Dimitrenko. So that'll pretty much be the end of his comeback right there.

[Tarkus]

I entirely agree. Boxing is far too dangerous a sport to allow wildly overmatched opponents to take risks like this on the basis that they are a 'personality' or 'good fun.'

Briggs is 46, and has had a long career, and taken a fair few serious beatings already. It's really all about levels, there's probably people he could come to the UK and beat, but if he's going to be facing the likes of Haye, then it would be a very bad matchup.

Who is wildly overmatched? So far he is fighting Dimitrenko. If he beats him then he has a genuine claim on a shot at over the hill Haye.

It does seem rather unlikely on the form book that he will prevail against Dimitrenko. If he does, I guess I'll swallow my words.

Well if he doesn't then the Haye fight goes of the window, doesn't it. Let him have his chance with Dimitrenko. Either that or continue to suffer his endless gimmicks.

[reggaereggae]

The thing is about medical tests, is they are rather rudimentary and can't predict future damage. On the other hand, it's Briggs' life and choice.

He took such a hiding off Vitali, he should've stopped after that..... It was extremely brutal.

I guess my position is - if I was a promoter with some morals, I wouldn't let him fight on my show.....

[Controversial]

Briggs is 46, and has had a long career

I remember when Holmes was coming out of retirement aged 38 everyone was saying he was too old, same for Foreman when he was 38. Now peoples ages don't seem to bother anyone. Briggs is an accident waiting to happen in my opinion, especially against a world class puncher.

[davie]

Lets be honest. Briggs fights Haye, the ref is going to be looking for any excuse to stop this.
The second he looks in trouble it'd get stopped.

Same probably goes for Dimitrenko

[keithmoonhangover]

I would have a set system for licencing boxers and I would stick to it religiously.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Briggs is 46, and has had a long career

I remember when Holmes was coming out of retirement aged 38 everyone was saying he was too old, same for Foreman when he was 38. Now peoples ages don't seem to bother anyone. Briggs is an accident waiting to happen in my opinion, especially against a world class puncher.

Sadly holmes and foreman have made it seem the norm for old heavyweights to compte long past their glory days. People forget foreman had a 10 year break and holmes had that jab. They are not the norm.

[Controversial]

Briggs is 46, and has had a long career

I remember when Holmes was coming out of retirement aged 38 everyone was saying he was too old, same for Foreman when he was 38. Now peoples ages don't seem to bother anyone. Briggs is an accident waiting to happen in my opinion, especially against a world class puncher.

Sadly holmes and foreman have made it seem the norm for old heavyweights to compte long past their glory days. People forget foreman had a 10 year break and holmes had that jab. They are not the norm.

Exactly, and they were world class fighters, Briggs was never in their league. I wouldn't be surprised if Dimitrenko beats Briggs.

[TeddyL]

If he can pass the medical requirements then there is no reason why not

[jamesmcdonnell]

If he can pass the medical requirements then there is no reason why not

I don't think that's a valid argument - so anybody who passes a medical should face anybody else?

It's a nuanced argument, boxing boards do have a duty not to put fighters in excessive danger, sure, boxing is dangerous anyway, but someone like Briggs whose defence seems to consist of huffing and puffing round the ring whilst absorbing huge shot after huge shot, has no business being in against a known puncher at or near their prime, who was genuine world class.

However, whether the board might be liable for restriction of trade I don't know, if Briggs passes a medical, I'm not sure what grounds they would have to deny him a licence to fight, can they turn down sanctioning a particular fight in that case, and with what justification?

[TeddyL]

If he can pass the medical requirements then there is no reason why not

I don't think that's a valid argument - so anybody who passes a medical should face anybody else?

It's a nuanced argument, boxing boards do have a duty not to put fighters in excessive danger, sure, boxing is dangerous anyway, but someone like Briggs whose defence seems to consist of huffing and puffing round the ring whilst absorbing huge shot after huge shot, has no business being in against a known puncher at or near their prime, who was genuine world class.

However, whether the board might be liable for restriction of trade I don't know, if Briggs passes a medical, I'm not sure what grounds they would have to deny him a licence to fight, can they turn down sanctioning a particular fight in that case, and with what justification?

He has a history of fighting at world level, hasn't lost in nearly 6 years despite poor opposition, he is 44 not 64. That will be enough for them.

If he had been getting knocked out in consecutive bouts then I could understand, but that isn't the case

[jamesmcdonnell]

If he can pass the medical requirements then there is no reason why not

I don't think that's a valid argument - so anybody who passes a medical should face anybody else?

It's a nuanced argument, boxing boards do have a duty not to put fighters in excessive danger, sure, boxing is dangerous anyway, but someone like Briggs whose defence seems to consist of huffing and puffing round the ring whilst absorbing huge shot after huge shot, has no business being in against a known puncher at or near their prime, who was genuine world class.

However, whether the board might be liable for restriction of trade I don't know, if Briggs passes a medical, I'm not sure what grounds they would have to deny him a licence to fight, can they turn down sanctioning a particular fight in that case, and with what justification?

He has a history of fighting at world level, hasn't lost in nearly 6 years despite poor opposition, he is 44 not 64. That will be enough for them.

If he had been getting knocked out in consecutive bouts then I could understand, but that isn't the case

When did he last fight at world level?

[jamesmcdonnell]

I don't think that's a valid argument - so anybody who passes a medical should face anybody else?

It's a nuanced argument, boxing boards do have a duty not to put fighters in excessive danger, sure, boxing is dangerous anyway, but someone like Briggs whose defence seems to consist of huffing and puffing round the ring whilst absorbing huge shot after huge shot, has no business being in against a known puncher at or near their prime, who was genuine world class.

However, whether the board might be liable for restriction of trade I don't know, if Briggs passes a medical, I'm not sure what grounds they would have to deny him a licence to fight, can they turn down sanctioning a particular fight in that case, and with what justification?

He has a history of fighting at world level, hasn't lost in nearly 6 years despite poor opposition, he is 44 not 64. That will be enough for them.

If he had been getting knocked out in consecutive bouts then I could understand, but that isn't the case

When did he last fight at world level?

More to the point - what was the outcome when he did - oh yes, that's right, a one sided beating that resulted in him being in Hospital overnight.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I'm not sure there is an argument for the board not licensing him to fight Haye - but that doesn't mean anyone has to approve of them doing so.

Dimitrenko will most likely win in any case.

[Dixonian]

Depends what the doctors thought. Get him checked out, if he passes, Let's Go Champ.

Yeah give him a thorough brain examination and drugs test and if he passes both then fine.

[Syntax Error]

If it was up to me, then no, I wouldn't.

He's ancient, tubby & wheezes like an old diesel engine with a clogged DPF & does not belong in a boxing ring in 2016.

If they're lining him up for David Haye's 'Bum of The Month' retirement tour, then that will tell us all we need to know about Haye right now, as if Mark De Mori & Arnold Whathisname aren't telling us enough already.

[Horse]

If it was up to me, then no, I wouldn't.

He's ancient, tubby & wheezes like an old diesel engine with a clogged DPF & does not belong in a boxing ring in 2016.

If they're lining him up for David Haye's 'Bum of The Month' retirement tour, then that will tell us all we need to know about Haye right now, as if Mark De Mori & Arnold Whathisname aren't telling us enough already.

Briggs is better than De Mori.

[jamesmcdonnell]

If it was up to me, then no, I wouldn't.

He's ancient, tubby & wheezes like an old diesel engine with a clogged DPF & does not belong in a boxing ring in 2016.

If they're lining him up for David Haye's 'Bum of The Month' retirement tour, then that will tell us all we need to know about Haye right now, as if Mark De Mori & Arnold Whathisname aren't telling us enough already.

Briggs is better than De Mori.

It's a bit like discussing which tastes worse, shit or vomit. They are both very poor at this respective stage of their career.

Briggs looks truly awful in videos of his recent peformances.