BoxRec

Heavyweight title challenger Shannon Briggs is reportedly in critical condition in the intensive care unit at the University Hospital Eppendorf in Hamburg, Germany. Briggs suffered fractures below both eyes as well as a concussion, after taking dozens of hard shots from WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko on Saturday night, but is responsive according to RTL. He also suffered a pulled tendon and torn muscle in his right arm.


Briggs was rushed to the hospital after the fight as doctors feared a possible cerebral hemorrhage after observing symptoms associated with neurological disturbances and drowsiness.

Referee Ian John-Lewis, who has received criticism for not stopping the fight, said he was within “one or two shots” of stopping it. “It was a heavyweight world championship,” he said. “These are tough guys and as long as a man fights back, you have to give him a chance.”

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/briggs- ... ized-63544

Get well soon.

Fractures below both eyes. Ouch.

Ian John-Lewis is a disgrace. Didn't even consult the doctor. Completely out of his depth.

Get well soon!!

I declined to watch such a mismatch. Everybody involved with this cynical match should be ashamed of themselves.

From all I've read Briggs showed immense heart and deserved to be looked after better than he was. I hope he recovers from this.

I CHAMPION wrote:Heavyweight title challenger Shannon Briggs is reportedly in critical condition in the intensive care unit at the University Hospital Eppendorf in Hamburg, Germany. Briggs suffered fractures below both eyes as well as a concussion, after taking dozens of hard shots from WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko on Saturday night, but is responsive according to RTL. He also suffered a pulled tendon and torn muscle in his right arm.


Briggs was rushed to the hospital after the fight as doctors feared a possible cerebral hemorrhage after observing symptoms associated with neurological disturbances and drowsiness.

Referee Ian John-Lewis, who has received criticism for not stopping the fight, said he was within “one or two shots” of stopping it. “It was a heavyweight world championship,” he said. “These are tough guys and as long as a man fights back, you have to give him a chance.”http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/briggs- ... ized-63544

Get well soon.

Bullshit. Not when one is in way over his head and has no chance of turning things around. Same goes for Sam Peter v Wlad Klitschcko.

Hope he is ok.

not seen the fight but heard he took alot of punishment....hope he has no long lasting damage.

fingers crossed for the big man, i hope no one questions his heart anymore. i remember shannon pushing lennox quite hard a good few years ago.

get well soon shannon briggs!!

I hope Fight News is wrong with the tone and info in the opening of the piece. You have to be careful with terms referring to 'conditions' of patients.

rhino222 wrote:fingers crossed for the big man, i hope no one questions his heart anymore. i remember shannon pushing lennox quite hard a good few years ago.

get well soon shannon briggs!!

I rewatched that yesterday, he didn't push Lewis at all after the first round. He took a hammering really. Last night was worse though, because Klitschko couldn't put Briggs away, so he just took punch after punch.

not seen the fight but shannon recovers really enjoyed the article on him in boxing news

As I watched the fight I had 3 thoughts

1. This is the kind of fight that really damages a fighter's health
2. Why don't his corner pull him out????? He's hardly landed a punch
3. Briggs is showing great heart and chin

I don't understand the corners in these fights. If your guys is down on the cards and out of his depth they could end it in 7th-8th round and put him out of his misery.

Also this is how IJL justifies it: Referee Ian John-Lewis, who has received criticism for not stopping the fight, said he was within “one or two shots” of stopping it. “It was a heavyweight world championship,” he said. “These are tough guys and as long as a man fights back, you have to give him a chance.”


YEs, but he was not really fighting back in the latter rounds. HE was a human punchbag....

ArtOfWar wrote:

rhino222 wrote:fingers crossed for the big man, i hope no one questions his heart anymore. i remember shannon pushing lennox quite hard a good few years ago.

get well soon shannon briggs!!

I rewatched that yesterday, he didn't push Lewis at all after the first round. He took a hammering really. Last night was worse though, because Klitschko couldn't put Briggs away, so he just took punch after punch.

'quite' hard was the phrase i used.... in my opinion that was the case, lewis knew he had been in a fight!!

Lenny wrote:I imagine IJL won't let Briggs take too much of a beating which is good.

Oh dear

Ian John-Lewis is a good ref, Briggs has a corner to pull him out

BIGMARK wrote:Briggs took a real beating and at imes it was hard to watch IMO the fight should of been stopped by the ref or his corner. Lets hope he makes a speedy and full recovery

I haven't seen the fight so I'm making no defence of the ref whatsoever but fair point.....there's a corner there to stop the fight too not just the ref.


I warmed to Briggs having not known much about him b4 I read about him in Boxing Monthly last week. Sounds like a nice fella.....when I saw 120 105 on one of the cards I assumed he'd eaten the jab all night but it sounds like he's taken a right hiding the poor lad.

2 things he ain't lacking is obviously balls and pride......he could've taken an easier way out but maybe he was set on another payday (as champ) or just had too much pride to yield......I imagine Vitali's shots are like bombs.

rhino222 wrote:fingers crossed for the big man, i hope no one questions his heart anymore. i remember shannon pushing lennox quite hard a good few years ago.

get well soon shannon briggs!!

Indeed.

Get well soon Shannon

Coco wrote:Ian John-Lewis is a good ref, Briggs has a corner to pull him out

and if the corner fails to do so, the ref should step in.

I thought it goes to show how much Vitali has deteriorated

There were lots of times in that fight where a sustained barrage which would have gone unanswered would have had him out of there but every time he had Briggs in trouble he backed off and then went back to jab right hand.

I thought the corner should have stopped it they gave no meaningful advice in the later rounds and Briggs showed no real indication that he really wanted to stay in there apart from staying on his feet.

I in no way wish to make light of Briggs's condition, and I'm aware he's fighting the other brother but.....

Del Boy must be shitting it right now

wrimc wrote:I thought the corner should have stopped it they gave no meaningful advice in the later rounds and Briggs showed no real indication that he really wanted to stay in there apart from staying on his feet.

does beg the question where the fckin professionalism is in "professional" boxing, for me anyway