Shannon Briggs: "I'm looking for a 1st Round KO!"

July 23, 2006 http://www.fightfan.com/interviews/0706-Briggs-pic.jpg FF: What up Big Briggs? Thanks for taking the time to talk with FightFan.com… SB: No problem man, lets do it. FF: Shannon, what’s the latest on the fight with Wlad Klitschko? SB: I can’t get in to the particulars, but everything’s a go and it will be Nov. 11th at Madison Square Garden. It’s going to be a great night for New York and a great night for me. It’s a great night for boxing with two big guys squaring off in the ring. FF: You’ve rattled off 11 straight wins, all by stoppage, since a 2002 setback decision loss to Jameel McCline. Can you talk a little bit about what happened after that loss, and how you’ve rededicated yourself to the sport? SB: Even before that fight I was focused, and I went into the McCline fight with an injured back so that had a lot to do with it. I didn’t let that stop my mission of becoming Heavyweight Champion of the world. It set me back but even before that fight I was pushing forward and when I hurt my back that messed me up for that fight. But after that I got right back in the ring and I was ready to rock. FF: After putting together this winning streak you’re currently on, are you hungry? At this point in your career do you have the passion and the hunger necessary to make some noise and try to take that title? SB: Oh yea for sure man I feel like those wins were cool, but it was all part of the goal to become Heavyweight Champion. I’ve had my mind set since losing my title to Lennox and my goal has been to get back on top and I’ve been working hard at it ever since. FF: The Heavyweight division right now is in one of the poorest states it’s ever been in. People are hungry for excitement. Do you get the impression from fans and media that they’re excited to watch you because you’re a big puncher and fight with a mean streak? SB: Yea man. People who’ve watched me over the years know that I put it on the line every fight. I have a lot of first round knock outs because I come out there and make it happen. People understand that win lose or draw when you’re watching a Shannon Briggs fight you’re going to see excitement. I’m a puncher and that’s what people want to see. I’ve come to the realization that people don’t want to see guys fight twelve rounds. We’re Heavyweights and they want to see bombs being dropped. And that’s what I’m doing. FF: You weight has seemed to fluctuate between 250 and 270 pounds in the last 6 years. Can you say what weight you feel most comfortable at and what you’d like to weigh in at in the fight against Klitschko? SB: I don’t really worry about the weight anymore. I fight at whatever weight I fight at. I’m a Heavyweight. I’m heavy and I come in heavy. I eat like a big man and I fight like a big man. A lot of people wonder what I’m going to weigh for this fight but it doesn’t matter. Whatever I weigh, you should know I’m going to be in the best shape possible. FF: Shannon Wlad Klitschko is an offensive marvel. He’s very fast and powerful and puts punches together very well for a big man. But on the flip side of the coin he’s also very susceptible to being hurt. Most people feel that unless you catch him early you chances lessen. Will you take advantage of this and try to get him out of there early if the opportunity presents itself? SB: I try to get everybody out of there early, so that ain’t going to change. When I fought George Foreman I tried to get him out of there early and I’m going to do the same with this guy. FF: You’re a big puncher, and he has a weak jaw. Not a lot of fighters get an opportunity against a guy they match up very well against in some aspects. Would it not be to your advantage to come in guns a blazing and try to take him out with fury in the first six minutes? SB: Definitely. I’m coming in, and from the first round I’m going to be looking to knock him out. FF: Can you talk a little bit about your first title shot with Lennox Lewis? You did manage to catch him early but he recovered. How did you approach that fight going in? SB: I was young when I fought Lennox Lewis. At the time I felt like I shouldn’t have been in that fight and I went in there with an injured hand. It wasn’t a fight I wanted at the time as I’d just come off a win over George Foreman and I wanted to get a few fights in and then fight Lennox. But I knew he wanted the fight really bad and at the time the money was there and my team jumped on it. FF: Not many fighters get a second opportunity at a world title. Can you talk about the path you’ve taken in your career and what it means to have this opportunity come up? SB: It’s a great opportunity and I’m looking to knock this guy out and then do what I set out to do: and that’s become Heavyweight Champion of the world. FF: The fight is slated for the MSG in New York. Is being the home town fighter a advantage or a disadvantage? SB: It can be great to have the crowd with me but a crowd can turn on you at any time. I don’t care man, I could fight this guy on the moon and I’d just be looking to give it my all. FF: 34 years old and fighting for the Heavyweight title in front of your home town crowd against a guy you match up very well against. Can you talk a little bit about the focus and determination you will approach this fight with, and do you feel confident that you will be victorious? SB: I’m knocking him out. Next question. There’s no doubt in my mind. I’m going to knock him out. I’ve got a lot of time to train. I’ve never had this much time to prepare for a fight and I’m hungry and focused and there’s no way in my mind I’m not going to beat this guy. FF: Shannon thanks for taking the time to talk with the fans at FightFan.com. We’ll try to catch up with you a little closer to the fight, if that’s cool with you? SB: Definitely man, you’ve got my number and I want to thank you for having me on. http://www.fightfan.com/interviews/0706-Briggs.htm