By Rick Reeno
A firefight in the heavyweight division, as WBO heavyweight champion Sergei “White Wolf” Liakhovich (23-1, 14 KOs) of Belarus, makes the first defense of his title against Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs (47-4-1, 41 KOs) of Brooklyn, New York. The first heavyweight championship bout to take place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
Liakhovich is looking to prove that his title winning effort over Lamon Brewster was no fluke, and wants to make an example out of Briggs in order to push towards a unification date with IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
"I am not looking past Briggs. I said after my last fight I would give Brewster a rematch after he had time to recover. If we fight again, it would be an easy win for me. But my main goal is to unify the titles. Nobody wants to fight me, and that is a problem," Liakhovich said. "This is not about a belt. Everybody saw what I did to Brewster. The heavyweight division is not bad. It is not great but it is good. It has pretty good fighters, but not great fighters. Somebody needs to step up and show everybody who the real heavyweight champion is. That is what I am trying to do. I want to unify."
On the other end, Briggs wants to prove to all of the critics that called him an underachiever his entire career, that he is for real. Briggs knows that this title opportunity is more than likely his last. Undefeated since March 2003, and riding an 11 fight win streak – all by knockout.
"My day is coming, and I am going to give my all," said Briggs. "I respect Liakhovich. He is the man. I regard him as the true champion because he beat Lamon Brewster, who beat Wladimir Klitschko. I am in a tough fight but I am going in there to knock Liakhovich out."
The staff of BoxingScene comes together to voice their opinions, strategies and predictions for the big fight.
Ron Borges – Sergei Liakhovich by way of a technical knockout in round 9. Asthma kicks in just when Shannon Briggs looks like a winner.
Tim Smith – Shannon Briggs hasn't shown much inclination to take boxing serious in the past. I hear him talking about rededicating himself to the sport, but I haven't seen it in action. I think Liakhovich is for real. Liakhovich wins by 12 round decision.
Adam Pollack – Sergei Liakhovich to win by knockout.
George Phillips – Shannon Briggs will knock Liakhovich out in the 8th round. Liakhovich will start strong and it will appear for the first couple of rounds that Briggs is being outclassed. However, the seasoned veteran Briggs will chop down Liakhovich as the fight goes on to score a knockout.
Joe Harrison - Liakhovich came out of no where to defeat Lamon Brewster, and the outcome of his bout against Briggs shouldn't be any different. Briggs has beaten plenty of 'C' rated fighters lately, but Liakhovich should have the chin and skills to defeat Briggs. An upset is possible, but highly unlikely. I doubt Briggs will last all 12 rounds.
Hank Kaplan – I think Shannon Briggs is over the hill. He’s going to fall apart in this fight, and Liakhovich will take advantage of the situation to stop him.
Ronnie Nathanielsz - The Briggs-Liakhovich battle is hard to call because neither fighter has any dominating trait. Briggs is likley past his prome and if Liakhovich can take Briggs beyond five rounds then he should retain his title, but if Briggs presses the action early and connects with a good shot - it may end in a hurry.
Rusty Rubin – Briggs can punch, but I don’t believe his chin is anything to write home about. He’s been fed a diet of less than stellar heavyweights in his comeback. Liakhovich by knockout.
Paul Gallegos - When are they going to stop recycling these guys like Briggs and make the heavyweights fight in a unification tournament?
That being said, Liakhovich fought very well in his last fight and showed a tremendous amount of guts. I think that he will earn a split decision in a very decent fight.
Kevin Kincade - Shannon Briggs will be stopped in the later rounds. When the two get into the trenches, Briggs will fold from the pressure, the punishment, and exhaustion. He has allowed his best years and opportunities to pass him by and truthfully did not deserve this shot at the #2 heavyweight in the world; but I'm glad he got it, because after Liakhovich stops him, the myth of Shannon Briggs will be exposed once and for all.
Not everyone is born to be a championship prizefighter and even in a world full of alpha-belts, that's still true. Sergei proved himself against Brewster in his last fight. Granted, Lamon is not the most skilled fighter in the world; but no one can doubt his heart or his punch and Liakhovich stood up to both while Briggs has folded in every high-profile fight he's ever been in and a few low-profile ones.
The current hype surrounding Shannon is baseless; he had strung together a series of knock-outs over less than top-notch competition, which is not going to prepare him for a championship caliber fighter. No, Briggs will not win; and will only hear the final bell if he grabs and holds as I can easily see him doing once his gas tank empties. However, Liakhovich is not of the mentality to “take it easy” and coast with Shannon. Smelling the end, Sergei will turn up the heat and finish off the Briggs-express. Liakhovich by 9th round stoppage.
Jim Cawkwell - There was a difference between the Liakhovich that fought Dominick Guinn, and the one that fought Lamon Brewster. Against Guinn, Liakhovich lumbered and seemed to use his natural size to impose himself on Guinn. Against Brewster, Liakhovich seemed fitter and was letting his hands go in entertaining fashion. Briggs has the fast hands and legitimate power, but if he can't get rid of Liakhovich in the first half of the fight, the workrate that Liakhovich will set will drown Briggs not long after. Liakhovich by stoppage around the tenth.
Alphonso Costello - This isn’t going to be a walk in the ballpark for Shannon Briggs. He hasn’t defeated a top-ten heavyweight since 1997, when he was given a gift decision victory over George Foreman.
Unless, Briggs lands a lucky punch or Larry Layton and Calvin Claxton are assigned to score the contest, he will lose another significant fight to a top-ten heavyweight.
Besides, Sergei Liakhovich possesses the hand speed and combo-punching skills to curtail Briggs’ one punch power.
Briggs’ twelve fight winning streak will come to an end this Saturday night, but his winless streak against top-ten opposition will continue.
Liakhovich defeats Briggs by knockout.
Mike Casey - I'll go against what I suspect will be the grain here and say that Briggs will finally get his act together in the big time and beat Liakhovich. But Shannon must be in his best shape and be prepared to give it everything he's got against a fit and determined man who is not easily deterred.
Briggs by TKO in the first half of the fight if he really intends to show up in earnest.
Dr. Peter Edwards – I think the fight is close, but Briggs does not have the stamina to fight a long hard fight. I see Liakhovich pulling away with a knockout.
Mike Indri - Briggs has a giant punch - which will always make him dangerous; at least for the first two or three rounds.
If Liakhovich can box and counter-punch from the onset of this interesting fight, and is still standing by the beginning of round four, the Brigg's threat will have evaporated - as will the gas in his tank.
Liakhovich will out-box and out-punch an exhausted Shannon Briggs on route to a 8th round knockout.
James Blears – The fight will depend on Shannon having the stamina to last the course to the later stages. I don't think he's going to blast Sergei out in the first round as with 29 other opponents.
Power Shannon has, but can he move around effectively until the second half of the fight and still stay strong?
It's Shannon's last chance for the championship. I think he's going to pull out all the stops and pull it off to win with a TKO towards the end, but I think it'll be highly controversial.
Sammy Rozenberg – Shannon Briggs by knockout in the tenth round.
Eric Rineer - Shannon Briggs vs. Sergei Liakhovich is an exciting matchup that could potentially treat us to a lot of fireworks. Both boxers crack hard: Each man has the ability to knock the other one out. If it's a short fight, I'd favor Shannon, but I've got a feeling that Sergei is going to weather the storm in the early rounds. If Shannon enters the fight at 260 pounds or more, he's likely to have stamina problems. Look for Sergei -- a great body puncher -- to pepper Shannon with his jab and pound the midsection, which will wear the big fella down.
I wouldn't be surprised if both men taste canvas, before Sergei scores a late KO... Liakhovich in the 9th round.
Glenn Wilson - Briggs-Liakhovich should be an entertaining fight and you have to love Liakhovich's willingness to fight, but Briggs can hit and he is experienced.
Briggs gets in a big punch late and stops Liakhovich around round 9.
Terence Dooley - Briggs KO in 3 over Liakhovitch - It would be a surreal irony if Briggs can detonate a big shot and for all his flaws he is charismatic plus a big puncher, it will be fun if he wins a title. If he does win the division will take another crazy turn.
Keith Terceira - When discussions were going on about Wladimir boxing Briggs, Emanual Steward recognized Briggs as a very dangerous fight for six rounds and I would have to agree.
If Shannon has been training as some have told me, he stops Sergei in round 7. If other rumors prove out then Briggs goes to the canvas in round ten. Liakhovich is still a mystery man when it comes to proving to the public that he is here to stay.
Based on Shannon's history and Liakhovich's demonstration against Lamon Brewster I have to go with the latter.
Briggs gets stopped in Tenth.
Brent Matteo Alderson - Shannon Brigsg hits hard, real hard. I was living in Costa Rica in March of 98 and a friend called me from Atlantic City and asked me what I thought about the Lennox Lewis-Briggs fight. At the time Briggs' bubble had already been deflated by "Doing Damage" Darrell Wilson, a supermarket security guard and he had rebounded by winning the linear heavyweight title from George Foreman by a very controversial decision.
Lennox was still a prohibitive favorite, but Briggs had lots of first round knockouts, fifteen in his first 25 fights, so I told my buddy to go with the odds and bet on Briggs by knockout in the first. Briggs lost that fight, but Lennox was stunned early and I still think at twenty-nine to one odds that it was a good bet. Same thing goes for this fight. Briggs has a chance to overwhelm Liakavich early and take him out with an all out offensive, but Brewster’s power is comparable to Brigg’s and he didn’t’t stop Lakavich so at the end of the day I’m going with Liakhovich, but if you can get some good odds, bet a few bucks on Briggs early.
My pick is Sergei Liakhovich by decision, but keep in mind that from the top of my head I can’t recall another active fighter who has more first round knockouts than Shannon Briggs.
Bradley Yeh - I don’t really have a lot of first hand knowledge about the White Wolf Liakhovich, nor do I have updated knowledge about the “new and improved” Shannon Briggs. I do remember the Briggs of old however and from those recollections there is no doubt that Briggs can bang as he has had some classic wars colorful with brutality and savagery. Nevertheless, (like Liakhovich) there doesn’t seem to be a lot of scalps on Brigg’s comeback record that set you in awe, even though most of Brigg’s recent opponents have lost to him by way of KO, or TKO.
Being critical I remember Briggs with heavyweight stamina issues and I have reservations that they have been effectively addressed now. Knocking out those on the outside fringes of meaningful contention early doesn’t build world class ring fitness and long distance stamina – unfortunately……. but fighting guys like Lamon Brewster and Dominick Guinn does though – names that constitute Liakhovich’s last two opponents.
Briggs has stated he’s going to KO Liakhovich and Liakhovich has responded that he wants him to try. Liakhovich even calls Briggs “pineapple head” to start the courtship. Now no one can say that’s not a beautiful start to a meaningful (boxing) relationship.
I think Briggs can KO Liakhovich, but not after 7 rounds. If Briggs goes all out for a KO as openly and early as he claims (and he is unsuccessful) then I believe Briggs will be depleted in the latter rounds such that Liakhovich will be rewarded for his patience and also choice of better recent opponents - no real science or surprises there with that part of the assessment.
Still the prediction isn’t that easy, as much as the White Wolf isn’t shop worn and as much as he has the better recent match experience, Briggs is undeniably a very, very experienced practitioner, and he surely must be the more powerful of the two in almost every respect. Problem is; Briggs rarely fights beyond 5 rounds. Liakhovich, aware of Shannon’s power and stamina, most likely will be planning to get Briggs into the late rounds, and tired, .,…weather the storm early, throw straight neat easy to score punches and then come home down the line as Briggs (hopefully) fades. With that plan Liakhovich better hope for iron clad punch resistance then, because if Brewster can force him to take a knee then what will Briggs do?
Sticking with the commonsense theme I'm going for Briggs by a KO, but Liakhovich by decision if it goes to the cards.
Larry Tornambe - On paper Liakhovich should lose to Briggs, but the champ retains his title by making Briggs quit or to be saved by the ref late in the fight. (10th round)
Bill Calogero – Sergei Liakhovich over Shannon Briggs by decision.
John Hively - Liakhovich will wear Briggs down and stop him in six or seven rounds. Briggs will be competitive at first, but starting in either the second or third round the fight will become more and more lopsided in favor of Liakhovich.
Dan Creighton – Shannon Briggs by knockout.
Richard McManus - This is the last chance Briggs will ever get to win a Heavyweight title and his best chance to win is going to be by stoppage of Liakhovich.
Liakhovich needs to avoid the big shots from Briggs to stand a chance. I think Briggs knows this and will do what it takes to pull it out.
Briggs by 3rd Round KO
Tom Donelson - A decade ago, Briggs had the skills but ten years later and few pounds heavier, he is not the boxer that he once was. Liakhovich has the boxing skills, hand speed and power to defeat Briggs and will.
Ryan Songalia - While Liakhovich may have his detractors and doubters, make no mistake that he is the real deal. Briggs has not faced a legitimate opponent since his lackluster loss to Jameel McCline in 2002. The burden of proof is on Briggs. Time may not be on Briggs' side either, he needs to inflict some serious work on Liakhovich in the first four rounds to weaken him any to stay in the game.
What Briggs does have is power, and lots of it. Liakhovich is just more consistent, better conditioned and the more focused fighter. While Briggs will be dangerous for the first 6 rounds, but after that it will likely be all Liakhovich, and I'll take him to close the show in 9.
JE Grant - Briggs will pull out all the stops for an early knockout. Despite the claims of many that he will arrive at the 250-pound range, it is unlikely that he has developed a sufficient gas tank to go the distance and pull out a victory. Even while winning of late, his overall speed is noticeably far less than what it was just a few years ago.
He’s never been all that difficult to hit and Liakhovich will exploit that shortcoming. Liakhovich possesses solid skills and an educated jab. Look for him to land it early and take Briggs out of his bull rushing tactics. As the early rounds go past with Liakhovich still on his feet, Briggs will fade noticeably. Liakhovich will begin landing combinations to the head of Briggs.
The older, slower, heavier Briggs, like his younger version, will not have enough answers to pass the test. Liakhovich by KO in 9.
Rick Reeno – Shannon Briggs has lost virtually every major fight of his career. Every couple of years, he seems to pound his way to a spotlight fight, and then drops the ball when the time comes to step up. I think the same thing will happen here, with Shannon dropping the ball and Liakhovich stopping him before ten rounds.
