Shannon Briggs: The Smoke is All Hype

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

It was in March of 1996 and I was about to watch HBO’s Night of the Heavyweights and I was telling my friends that Shannon Briggs was the only guy on the show who had a chance to become a great heavyweight. You see Brigg’s potential had been so hyped by his manager Marc Roberts and the New York media that deeming their estimation of his abilities as hyperbole would be an understatement. The New York media loved Shannon, and his manager Marc Roberts had all the PR wheels rolling.

Heck even Ali endorsed him as a heavyweight with a bright future, commenting that he would have nick named him ”a woman or something” because of his dreadlocks. Even though Shannon’s accomplishments didn’t merit this type of attention he still had a lot going for him. He was only 24 years old, he was an awesome physical specimen at 6’4 and a solid 225 pounds, and had 15 first round knockouts to go along with his perfect 25-0 record. That’s a pretty good resume for a young heavyweight prospect. There’s not a 24-year old heavyweight prospect in the world right now with those type of credentials. [details]

[Boxerdog]

The Foreman match was the first time I saw Briggs. It was just one of the worst experiences I ever had watching boxing. He was so timid...scared to death of George. At the end, he was as shocked as anybody at the decision. I recall that I was actually pissed off at Big George ( a guy I love) because he was so damned gracious. He HAD to feel he won the fight. Shannon was in reverse for the entire 36 minutes! It was made all the worse because the linear title was at stake. For me, it was the end of that distinction (linear) meaning so much. Briggs is in the history books as the guy with the belt you can trace all the way back to John L.
Disgraceful!

[jabsRstiff]

I'd swear I wrote this article !

This is on the money....
But, the writer should have thrown in how Briggs blamed his loss to Darroll Wilson on asthma. That lame excuse was the final straw that madeTeddy Atlas quit as Briggs' trainer.

[Moon]

I'd swear I wrote this article !

This is on the money....
But, the writer should have thrown in how Briggs blamed his loss to Darroll Wilson on asthma. That lame excuse was the final straw that madeTeddy Atlas quit as Briggs' trainer.

Many people talk about how Briggs' carrer would have looked alot different if he wasn't given that gift decision against George. I don't agree. Even with a loss to george, Briggs' career would ultimately have developed just as it did .... into virtually nothing.

[DiegoFuego]

Briggs' best performance was a loss against Lewis. He showed a lot of heart in that one and had Lewis rocked. Briggs is a tough guy, but he is really lacking in the talent department if you ask me. Still, I'd bet on him to beat Peter.

[Derranged]

I think Peter can definitely beat him. Shannon has a weak chin and does not possess the skills or stamina to keep Peter off of him. But then again Peter lacks skills as well.

[Leo Pradun]

Peter will destroy Briggs...

[NAB]

Briggs is the epitome of not judging a book by it's cover.

People may look imposing, but it's the 6 inches between the ears that mean the most.