BoxRec

Former light heavyweight contender Paul Briggs is set to end a 16 month absence from the ring in June and will campaign at super middleweight with Anthony Mundine in his radar.
Briggs, 32, hasn't fought since last February because of problems with his adrenal and nervous systems.

However, he has declared himself healthy and has nominated June 27 as the date of his comeback fight.
His manager Stuart Duncan told AAP that former Mundine victim Antwun Echols and his American compatriot Yusaf Mack were among the opponents being considered for that date.

``We want a warm-up against a credible opponent and we'll take another fight in America, hopefully in September or October on a Don King promotion,'' Duncan said.
``Both Echols and Mack are credible opponents where Paul can get rid of the rest, as both are capable of going the full distance.
``We have already spoken with the Mundine camp as this is a fight Paul would like.''
Back on the Gold Coast, after training with Johnny Lewis in Sydney, Briggs was confident he could secure a world title opportunity this year.
Sydneysider Mundine is set to make his next WBA super middleweight title defence against fellow Australian Sam Soliman in Melbourne in May.
``I want the best and if Mundine thinks he's the best, than bring it on,'' said Briggs, who has a professional record of 26 wins (18 KOs) and three losses.

``I'm happy and prepared to travel to his backyard, however if it's a fight in the USA he wants, then (my American promoter) Don King would be only too happy to arrange this.
``I'm not about to trash talk or attempt or belittle ``Choc'', just a single message, `put up or shut up'.''
Briggs twice lost close points decisions to Poland's Tomasz Adamek in bouts for the WBC light heavyweight title

Is Paul still training with Johnny Lewis?

I think Paul will do well at super middleweight.

Good luck mate.

Is this for real?

I just read a couple of news letters on google news. Very much for real.

Is now living in the Gold Coast with a new trainer and feels fresh.

If a Mundine fight eventuates, which it will if Briggs wins the next 2 fights, then i give Briggs a much better chance then Danny Green.

ThePunisher wrote:I just read a couple of news letters on google news. Very much for real.

Is now living in the Gold Coast with a new trainer and feels fresh.

If a Mundine fight eventuates, which it will if Briggs wins the next 2 fights, then i give Briggs a much better chance then Danny Green.

Last article/interview I read he was all but retired. Mentioned that after his kid said he didn't want him to fight any more he was reappriasing the whole situation. He would be a big SMW. I reckon he might struggle with the weight.

Anyway, I hope that he is healthy, has the support he needs and has a red hot crack at a title. He is probably a better boxer than Danny, and would almost hit as hard.

Funny how he is coming down after Danny went up?

ThePunisher wrote:I just read a couple of news letters on google news. Very much for real.

Is now living in the Gold Coast with a new trainer and feels fresh.

If a Mundine fight eventuates, which it will if Briggs wins the next 2 fights, then i give Briggs a much better chance then Danny Green.

Last article/interview I read he was all but retired. Mentioned that after his kid said he didn't want him to fight any more he was reappriasing the whole situation. He would be a big SMW. I reckon he might struggle with the weight.

Anyway, I hope that he is healthy, has the support he needs and has a red hot crack at a title. He is probably a better boxer than Danny, and would almost hit as hard.

Funny how he is coming down after Danny went up?

great we'll get to see mundine fight a another aussie journeyman i guess he'll never leave australia

Bentley23 wrote:great we'll get to see mundine fight a another aussie journeyman i guess he'll never leave australia

You must have a very limited field of contenders if you class Briggs a journeyman.

if hes ganna keep fighting australians in australia i reckon bika is in front of briggs

Not sure about this...

How is Briggs a Journeyman?

I don't really know how I feel about it either, especially seeing as the last I heard he was retiring. I would love to see the fight but I really doubt Mundine would travel to America and I think if they did do it in the States it would have to be on the undercard of a big name title fight.

munding detsroys him as green would. if he wants a lead up fight he should take the easiest one possible as he looked terrible in his last outing and from memory its over a year ago!

easy $ for mundine.....it'll happen.

mabey Journeyman was the wrong word it just doesnt seem right sayin im goin to have two lead up fights then get a world title shot mabey if he beats contenders

We are talking Mundine here though guys. You dont need to fight contenders or elimination bouts to get a shot at him. You just need a heartbeat.

I think it is a very good move for Briggs. Fight Mundine and you are guarenteed atleast a million if you have a good name. Paul has a good name.

You just gotta show the public highlights of his wars with Adamek for people to want to watch it.

I think if Siaca can beat Mundine, Paul can.

Danny is too straight forward for Mundine, where as a well conditioned Briggs can punch from angles in good combinations.

Briggs has been in a rut since he got beat by Adamek in their 1st fight. Maybe the lay off will have rejuvenated him a little.

Win or lose, it will be his biggest pay day.

All the best mate.

i hope it happens. However i think Mundine wants to defend his title against no ones a couple more times, so it doesn't make him look like a paper champion.

I hope Briggs who has a lionheart, does perform better than his last fight.
Very interesting fight, i think it would be close.

Bentley23 wrote:mabey Journeyman was the wrong word it just doesnt seem right sayin im goin to have two lead up fights then get a world title shot mabey if he beats contenders

LOL, i know you proberly know this,but just in case, Briggs is one of the best Australian fighters in the last 20 years. Briggs is pretty unlucky not to have won a title,and i'm sure it's burning inside him that he (Briggs) has always fought the best or was aiming to fight the best,and here' Mundine, acting like Santa Clause to the underpriveledged fighters of the southern hemisphere,giving anyone a shot at the title.

I gave Mundine a chance after Green, and even paided for his last 3 fights. If he's about the big payday, lets through him in with the best we've got.

Hounddog wrote:Briggs is one of the best Australian fighters in the last 20 years.

Fully agree

pawpaw wrote:easy $ for mundine.....it'll happen.

Saw a 16/17 year old Briggs win a toughman show in Cairns years ago and he Koed everyone, including some preety hard men.
But I think he is finished - burnt out, he may be a young man but he is an old fighter - imo

ross

Ross wrote:

pawpaw wrote:easy $ for mundine.....it'll happen.

Saw a 16/17 year old Briggs win a toughman show in Cairns years ago and he Koed everyone, including some preety hard men.
But I think he is finished - burnt out, he may be a young man but he is an old fighter - imo

ross

As stated earlier, the layoff just might have rejuvenated him.

I hope Paul does get a shot and takes his belt from him, would be great to see Briggs with legit defenses against quality opposition whilst also forcing Mundine to have to fight contenders for another shot at a title (should he continue after a loss).

stewza wrote:

Ross wrote:

pawpaw wrote:easy $ for mundine.....it'll happen.

Saw a 16/17 year old Briggs win a toughman show in Cairns years ago and he Koed everyone, including some preety hard men.
But I think he is finished - burnt out, he may be a young man but he is an old fighter - imo

ross

As stated earlier, the layoff just might have rejuvenated him.

I hope Paul does get a shot and takes his belt from him, would be great to see Briggs with legit defenses against quality opposition whilst also forcing Mundine to have to fight contenders for another shot at a title (should he continue after a loss).

I think his health issues have been well documented. They effected his last fight. Judge him on his next fight.

it's certainly amazing what briggs has achieved in his career. when you think about some of the battles he had in his kickboxing days and to still be in contention for a possible world title fight he is one of australia's toughest ever fighters.

duh, briggs '' has a cunning plan'....lol $$$$$$

pawpaw wrote:duh, briggs '' has a cunning plan'....lol $$$$$$

excellent

Former WBA Light heavyweight champ Stipe Drews has only lost two fights. To Green and to Briggs.