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[IMG]http://www.*********.com/1photos/lyakhovich_briggs2.jpg[/IMG] Photo: David Martin Warr/DKP |
[IMG]http://www.*********.com/1photos/lyakhovich_briggs4.jpg[/IMG] Photo: David Martin Warr/DKP |
[IMG]http://www.*********.com/1photos/lyakhovich_briggs6.jpg[/IMG] Photo: David Martin Warr/DKP |
Lyakhovich (23-1, 14KOs) won the title with a convincing unanimous decision win over Lamon Brewster in an all out brutal war. The fight is set to take place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on Nov. 4th and is being billed as "Red November The White Wolf Hunt" and will be televised by Showtime Championship Boxing. This will be Shannon Briggs second crack at a piece of the world heavyweight crown, coming up short against then WBC champion Lennox Lewis in which Briggs was knocked down three times en route to a 5th round TKO defeat.
First at the podium was Alan Hopper, director of public relations for DKP to announce the arrival of all parties. Mary Rose Wilcox also took the podium to address the media and welcome Don King to Phoenix. Soon after Don King took the podium to begin the presentation for the first Heavyweight World Championship fight ever in the Valley of the Sun. King addressed the importance and significance of this particular world title fight taking place in Phoenix, noting that the Arizona Diamondbacks won the World Series against the New York Yankees 5 years ago on November 4th, the very same date, and at the very same venue that Lyakhovich will defend against Briggs.
Lyakhovich, originally from Belarus, has lived in Phoenix for the past 7 years and Briggs is from Brooklyn, hence the comparison of the two events by King. "There is nothing more electrifying than a heavyweight championship fight", stated King. Before the fighters took turns at the podium, King asked the fighters to face off for the photographers in attendance, the two stared each other down for a few seconds and were quickly separated.
Briggs took the podium first and began to address the media stating "I wasn't sure if I would get another chance at the title, but fortunately Don King has come to my rescue. I respect Sergei for taking this fight, he didn't have to, he could have taken a much easier fight against Kevin McBride. I don't think it was the best decision Ivaylo and Sergei ever made because I am going to take full advantage of their mistake. I am not going to put any emphasis on the whole "Russian fighter vs. American fighter" thing, I am just hungry, a hungry fighter coming to win. I am determined, nothing is going to stop me, I am starving to become Heavyweight Champion. I am gonna knock him out plain and simple. I am going to knock him out so quick. I will make him quit, all Russian fighters quit. My trainer Chuck McGregor used to train Sergei, now he is in my corner and he knows Sergei. I am having my training camp here in Phoenix, and I am staying in Scottsdale, I heard Sergei lives in Scottsdale so if I see him at the supermarket I may just have to kick his ass right there."
Briggs then removed his shirt and stated "I am in phenomenal shape, I came to camp in shape. November 4th you are going to have a new WBO Heavyweight Champion, I am going to kick his ass right down there in the middle of that field I promise you that."
Lyakhovich then took the podium, "Don is a great promoter. I don't know where to begin, first he (Briggs) tries to disrespect me, but he only disrespects himself. I am giving you an opportunity to fight for the title, don't disrespect me. He gets up here with his shirt off talking about how big he is, this is not a body building competition, this is boxing. You want to talk dirty about me, but I don't talk dirty about anyone who steps into the ring, I respect anyone who gets in that ring, but I will tell you this: If you come at me trying to knock me out, you will be knocked out early. I worked very hard for this title and I won't let even a piece of it go, this title will stay in Phoenix. Believe me, when I start hitting you, you will remember everything you have said. I will make you pay for everything you have said."
Also, in attendance was WBA lightweight champion Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz (30-0, 15KOs) who will be defending his world title for the fifth time against Fernando Angulo 18-3, (12KOs) of Venezuela, which will be the co-feature of the Showtime telecast. Other notable faces in attendance were former cruiserweight champion Vassiliy Jirov, middleweight Jesus "The Hammer" Gonzales, and kickboxing legend Rick Roufas.
Tickets are on sale now and the prices start at $39.
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