Briggs v Oquendo deal reached for WBA 'regular' heavyweight belt

[Ruthless-RKO]

Square Ring Promotions and Hitz Entertainment Corporation announced that they have reached an agreement for the Fres Oquendo vs. Shannon Briggs fight for the WBA World Heavyweight Championship.

“We are really excited that we were able to reach an agreement with Kris Lawrence and Henry Rivalta of the Heavyweight Factory,” said John Wirt, CEO of Square Ring Promotions.

“It was a long process and a difficult negotiation, but the good news is that Fres will now have the chance to finally win the WBA Heavyweight crown. I want to thank Gilberto Mendoza, George Martinez and everyone else at the WBA for this great opportunity.”

“Fres is in fantastic shape and he is focused on winning this bout like I have never seen before,” said Bobby Hitz, President of Hitz Boxing. “I met with him today and watched him spar and he looked awesome. His preparation is second to none and I predict it is going to be a great fight.”

Briggs v Oquendo was ordered after Lucas Browne was stripped of his title for failing a drug test, whilst Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko will contest the 'super' championship on April 29.

Once the dust settles on Briggs v Oquendo, the winner will face Alexander Ustinov before then challenging Joshua, Klitschko or mandatory Luis Ortiz to ultimately crown one sole title holder.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fightnews.com spoke with former two-time heavyweight champion of the world Shannon Briggs (60-6-1, 53 KOs) in regard to his now finalized deal to fight Fres Oquendo (32-2, 24 KOs). The two are scheduled to square off for the vacant regular WBA heavyweight title.

The fight is ordered to take place by early May. An agreement has been reached as previously reported but it was confirmed that Briggs’ promoter will be hosting the event exclusively.

Regarding the fight being finalized…

"I started this current journey three years ago and now the time has almost come. I have been training extremely hard already. I fully expect for this to be a tough fight with Oquendo. He has never won a world title before and I plan to keep that streak extended."

On not giving up on the dream…

"Through this last three years, there have been a lot of ups and downs. I mean earlier in the comeback I thought I might be fighting for this very same title on short notice vs Ruslan Chagaev which Oquendo eventually ended up taking and coming up short. My “Let’s Go Champ” campaign has gravitated so far outside of boxing. So many non-boxing fans come up to me and write me on social media saying “Let’s Go Champ!” I never realized how many people that this phrase has inspired and touched to not give up. I had no choice but to believe in the phrase myself and not give up on getting the big fight and now here I am."

On his chance at making history…

"I have an opportunity to win another world title 20 years after I won my first one. At 45 I can make history by breaking George Foremans record of 44 years of age to win a world title. How ironic it is that I beat Foreman to win my first world title and now I can break his record. I also can become the first to win a world title in three different decades."

[Ilya Muromets]

...

Once the dust settles on Briggs v Oquendo, the winner will face Alexander Ustinov before then challenging Joshua, Klitschko or mandatory Luis Ortiz to ultimately crown one sole title holder.

Where is Ustinov? He didn't fight at all in 2016?

Soon it will be a year since Briggs fought... a guy ranked #493 by Boxrec. Oquendo hasn't fought in 2 1/2 years ...when he lost. This Oquendo - Briggs (tee hee) heavyweight championship fight isn't listed on Boxrec. Boxing is ridiculous. At least wrestling doesn't really pretend to be a real sport.

[asdfjkl]

...

Once the dust settles on Briggs v Oquendo, the winner will face Alexander Ustinov before then challenging Joshua, Klitschko or mandatory Luis Ortiz to ultimately crown one sole title holder.

Where is Ustinov? He didn't fight at all in 2016?

Soon it will be a year since Briggs fought... a guy ranked #493 by Boxrec. Oquendo hasn't fought in 2 1/2 years ...when he lost. This Oquendo - Briggs (tee hee) heavyweight championship fight isn't listed on Boxrec. Boxing is ridiculous. At least wrestling doesn't really pretend to be a real sport.

Exactly, and when I read "the winner will face Alexander Ustinov before then challenging Joshua, Klitschko or mandatory Luis Ortiz to ultimately crown one sole title holder." I expect this title to be kept away for quite a while by Deontay Wilder for example as well.
I actually hope Briggs will win and will then fight Klitschko, assuming Klitschko loses to Joshua, Joshua can then fight Ortiz after, while Wilder is busy with Parker, assuming Wilder, Klitschko and AJ win Wilder can fight Klitschko (who then has already lost against AJ) whoever wins between Wilder and Klitschko can then fight AJ, who himself can be busy with Povetkin meanwhile.
After all that AJ can beat Klitschko again, or Wilder, after that AJ can face Tyson Fury and just after that new contenders can get a chance.

[Sequitorian]

... whoever wins ... they won't hold the belt for long ...

... ('cause it's really hard for old guys like Briggs and Oquendo to stay regular) ...

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[gregor]

It only shows how badly WBA belt deteriorated. A fight between one fighter who was a prospect 15 years ago and another who has one win against top10 fighter in this century (or rather, more precisely, during his whole career as the "win" over Foreman was a gift).

[Freedom]

Why are boxing fans being punished with this fight?