Vitali Klitschko: Briggs To Retire Me? That Makes Me Laugh

By Mark Vester

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko feels very sorry for Shannon Briggs. The champion from Ukraine plans to inflict a lot of punishment on October 16 in Hamburg, Germany. Both Klitschko and Briggs vowed to win by knockout when they met face to face at Monday's final press conference in Germany.

“It is not easy to find an adversary for me or my brother. Shannon accepted immediately to fight me and I thank him for that. But when I hear him say he is going to propel me into retirement, that just makes me laugh. “I am ready and I am going to show that I deserve to wear this belt which has been worn by Tyson, Lewis and Muhammad Ali," Klitschko said. 

Briggs tore off his shirt to show that he was shredded, stating that he lost nearly 80 pounds for the fight. He continued to call to beat Vitali and then fight IBO/WBO/IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko.

“I really feel for you. You have made a bad choice. You are going to meet an adversary that you have never met before. I can hit, box and dodge my opponent's punches. I have never prepared so well for a bout,” Briggs said. “When I have finished with Vitali, they can bring on Wladimir immediately."