"Merciless" vows to knockout former stable mate.
By Mike Indri (Photo by Richie Maldonado)
Retired Boxers Foundation
The Cedric Kushner Promotions "Heavyweight Heat" press conference did start off rather amiable. Mr. Kushner was as eloquent and soft spoken as always, excited to be bringing together a true heavyweight bonanza with Ray Mercer taking on Shannon Briggs in the main event, as well as featuring both David Tua and Jameel McCline in separate bouts.
Representatives from Warriors Boxing Promotions, including promoter Jesse Robinson, were elated to be co-promoting such a highly anticipated event and were looking forward to showcasing the brand new Hard Rock Live Arena, a 6,000 seat venue, which is located at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. A perfect venue for such a high demand fight card.
Even David Tua, 43-3-1 with 38 KO’s, who hasn’t really fought in close to 2 ½ years (not counting his "tune-up" in New Zealand vs. Talmadge Griffis: TKO 10 3/31/05 - where the mighty Samoan outweighed his unfortunate foe by close to 45lbs.) kept it brief and courteous.
"I’ve been away for over two years, but I’m excited to get back into the ring and ultimately fight again for a title." When pressed further a smiling Tua, at one time boxing’s most feared heavyweight, simply stated, "I’m going to win."
When it was Ray Mercer’s chance to speak, the former Olympic gold medallist and WBO Champion, sensing the trouble which was brewing, tensely replied "I’m gonna let Shannon (Briggs) do all the talking." Which brought laughter from the jam packed crowd.
Apparently, Shannon Briggs didn’t find the humor in Ray‘s response.
Once Briggs (42-4-1, 38 KO’s) took to the microphone the "Heavyweight Heat" started to rise and Ray Mercer began to got hot.
"I was in awe when I first met him (Mercer)" stated Briggs. We both had the same manager (Marc Roberts), so for some time we actually roomed together. After living with him and being in his company I lost a lot of respect for Ray, and come August 26th I will kick his a**, I owe him that," promised a confident Briggs.
Mercer, now highly agitated, growled back to his loquacious foe "I’m gonna knock you out - you are a punk!" at which time Mercer left , only to return upon gaining his better sense of judgment.
Briggs, to his discredit, became vulgar and irreverent. Swearing to be a Brownsville thug, while now living in a Florida gated community, Briggs wondered aloud why boxers never seem to get endorsements or commercials like athletes from other sports; only to realize that he had answered his own question with his irresponsible and inappropriate actions.
Also slated for action on the Showtime Pay Per View fight card will be heavyweight Lance Whitaker, IBF Cruiserweight champion O’Neil Bell will face South African Sebastian Rothmann, and highly touted junior welterweight prospect Juan Urango (15-0-1 with 12 KO’s) is scheduled to take on tough New York native Andre Eason (15-3, 6 KO’s).
Attending today’s press conference at the beautiful Palms restaurant in Manhattan were current fighters Jorge Theron (4-0 with 4 KO’s), and Omar Sheika, who will be facing current WBC Super Middleweight Champion Markus Beyer on September 3rd in Germany.
Also on hand was former heavyweight contender Reynaldo Snipes. As most boxing fans remember Reynaldo came as close as a fighter can get to winning a championship when Snipes sent champion Larry Holmes to the canvas in the 7th round of their 11/06/81 title fight. After what seemed like a very long count Holmes picked himself up off the deck and went on to victory via TKO in round eleven. It was a pleasure to see "Mr. Snipes" looking so well and enjoying the admiration and respect he so richly has earned.
