Vitali Klitschko vs. Shannon Briggs: who wins?

[The Hammer]

Last night on ESPN2, Teddy Atlas said Briggs vs. Vitali is in the works.

Teddy isn't the most credible source, but I've been thinking for weeks that Briggs is the logical choice for Vitali.

1. Nicolay Valuev and his promoters King and Sauerland are unrealistic in their expectations of money.

2. Odlanier Solis would rather wait to be mandatory and have a bigger payday, he may decide to fight for a vacant title fight after Vitali retires. The reason the promoter of Solis turned a fight with Vitali down in the spring: HBO refused to televise it.

3. David Haye is a coward and won't fight Vitali, despite all his insulting and bragging.

4. The other fighters ranked by the WBC have either already fought Vitali (Peter, JC Gomez, Arreola, Sosnowski), are not ready (Boytsov) have other fights coming up (Povetkin, Adamek) or would be terrible mismatches (Rossy, Banks, Gavern).

5. Shannon Briggs is no longer a Don King fighter and so isn't difficult to negotiate with.

6. Briggs is big and has some decent boxing skills. He's a two-time world champion, younger than Vitali, and is a big puncher with fast hands. He's isn't fleet-footed and has stamina issues, but many will agree he has a punchers' chance against the aging Vitali.

7. Sergey Lyakhovich is another potential opponent and a former world titleholder, but he's with Don King so the fight is very unlikely to be made.

8. The only other ranked contender who is decent and available is Tony Thompson, but he's not really earned another title shot. Briggs hasn't either, but at least he's a former world titleholder and unlike Thompson, Shannon always has a puncher's chance against anybody.

9. Briggs is an American and a recognizable name among casual boxing fans in the USA. I think either Showtime or ESPN would likely cover this fight.

So although some will disagree, Shannon Briggs is a logical choice as Vitali's opponent in his October WBC title defense.

[jri9d0]

To be honest I'm surprised this fight was never considered sooner, that said I think Vitali wins on the account that Briggs gasses sooner in fights.

[JK1700]

Like you said he's about as deserving as anyone right now. Vitali would rather fight Haye or Valuev but Valuev demands too much money and Haye still hasnt grown a pair yet. So that leaves Briggs, He's about as worthy of a shot as anyone right now.

[jri9d0]

This may be Vitali's last fight.



Too bad Haye won't man up and fight him, but Briggs is probably the best available option.

If this indeed is Vitali's last fight then it is a sure bet victory, though the fight would have had more intrigue if it had took place a few years earlier.

[The Hammer]

If this indeed is Vitali's last fight then it is a sure bet victory, though the fight would have had more intrigue if it had took place a few years earlier.

They are both getting old, Vitali turns 39 next week.

But it's still a somewhat interesting matchup.

[joe strong]

vitali should have little problem with Briggs.how much will he weigh is the question...lighter is better but realistically I can't see it going the distance.Briggs can take punch & he will be hit alot! The networks should air it & I'd gladly watch it.yes Briggs fought some duds lately but that's just to get ready for a big fight.the division is kind of dull right now & by having explosive power punchers like Briggs & tua back it's going to be interesting again...even Rahman being back is good too,he can punch & if he's in shape he is always a threat to todays top contenders.that's a big if"if he's in shape"....at least he called out tua already...they had 2 good fights so why not a 3rd? Briggs is a excellent speaker & has a nice following in the new York area so why not have it at Madison square garden live on showtime.one thing Briggs can do is give a good interview & he enjoys being in front of a camera in the spotlight....this is a perfect fight for vitali! Should be a good win for him & the media exposure in new York can only help him.people can't forget he's got the bigtime power & everyone remembers the liskhovich fight....so there is that slight chance of a dramatic upset...very very slight chance at best but it's still there.

[nomadman]

Like another poster said in another thread, Vitali should use his last few fights taking on name opponents: Briggs, Toney, Rahman, even Evander. Preferably in close succession on American TV. He could do a sort retirement tour, taking on and knocking out different opponents in turn, Rahman in March, Evander in June etc. A bit gimmicky, and probably a nightmare to set up, but might make him more well known among casual fans in the States.

[Stallone60]

Vitali is the best HW in the division. He would destroy Briggs. The only fight left for him is Haye then he can say bye bye. I think he would beat haye.

[BritishBoxing92]

Vitali Win By KO....briggs is too old and in the past has lost to big hard hitting fighters...

[The Hammer]

Like another poster said in another thread, Vitali should use his last few fights taking on name opponents: Briggs, Toney, Rahman, even Evander. Preferably in close succession on American TV. He could do a sort retirement tour, taking on and knocking out different opponents in turn, Rahman in March, Evander in June etc. A bit gimmicky, and probably a nightmare to set up, but might make him more well known among casual fans in the States.

That's an excellent idea. He's been fighting young, undefeated fighters. Now he age 39, so it's a good time for him to switch to former world titleholders before retirement: Briggs, Lyakhovich, and maybe Rahman.