Jennings' Promoter: Old Timer Briggs, One of My Favorites

By Rick Reeno

Gary Shaw, promoter of heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings, had a few laughs while reading some of the recent statements that appeared on various blogs from former WBO heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs.

On April 25th at New York's Madison Square Garden, Jennings will challenge WBO/IBO/IBF/WBA heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in an HBO televised main event.

For the better part of 2014, Briggs was traveling all over the place in hot pursuit of a Klitschko payday. The highlight of that campaign was the incident where Briggs confronted Klitschko in a Florida restaurant. The 43-year-old Briggs sat down at the champion's table and began to eat his food.

In several interviews, Briggs significantly downplayed Jennings' ability to be competitive with Klitschko. Briggs praised Shaw for his honesty, because the New Jersey-based promoter told reporters that "Jennings was no Shannon Briggs" - a statement that Shaw and Briggs agree on but for much different reasons.

"I have known Shannon Briggs for the past 23 years. First, I'm very happy that Shannon remembers me as he ages. And second, that he knows that I'm honest...in 1992 through 2015. At 43-years-old, he will first need to get licensed by the New York State Athletic Commission, and then after April 25 when Bryant Jennings wins all five belts and becomes the heavyweight champion of the world - he can save a lot of money by not have to be flying all over the world chasing Klitschko, because I'm located in New Jersey, and that's close to Brooklyn," Shaw stated to BoxingScene.com.

"He will be able to meet me, talk about the old times, and tell me what it was like chasing Klitschko, how much he appreciate my honesty, and how much he wants to be like Bryant Jennings. Briggs is one of my all time favorite old time fighters."