Shannon Briggs showed two remarkable traits today (October 16): a strong chin and an amazing heart. It was these two attributes that allowed him to remain upright despite taking a beating over 12 one-sided rounds in a decision loss to WBC champion Vitali Klitschko.
From the outset, Briggs could not get past Klitschko’s jab. Vitali maintained good distance and stung the challenger early with overhand rights. These were solid, heavy power punches that were crashing off of Briggs’ skull. By round two, Briggs’ left was already swelling. In the third, Klitschko was shooting counter left hooks whenever Briggs tried to lead with power shots.
The middle rounds were a complete whitewash. Vitali pushed for the KO in round six, staggering Briggs with repeated overhand rights. But the Brooklynite refused to capitulate. The next stanza was even worse, with the Ukrainian answering Briggs’ inside fighting attempts with cracking left and right hooks. Briggs was out on his feet, but just narrowly avoided a TKO by time expiring.
Thereafter, every round had several moments were Shannon Briggs appeared close to a KO loss. But every time, Briggs remained defiant. After the right hands, he was now taunting Vitali through a swollen face and bloody mouth, letting his torturer know he was nowhere near giving up.
The defiance seemed to fuel Vitali Klitschko’s desire to render Briggs unconscious. Round 10 was a complete massacre. The champion connected with 30 punishing power punches. The onslaught made for a surreal, heavyweight version of Raging Bull, with Briggs still occasionally talking to Vitali through his now bloodied and bruised mask of a face.
Klitschko cruised through the 11th just to make a concerted push in the final round. Again, Shannon Briggs was abused with hellacious overhand rights. For the last-minute and a half, Vitali Klitschoko stalked after him with power punch after power punch. But in the end Briggs survived, and Vitali grudgingly slapped his opponent’s glove in respect.
Final scorecards for the bout read 120-107 twice, and 120-105. Klitscho connected with 171 power punches, and 131 jabs. Briggs, who needed the jab to get inside, connected with an abysmal 34 jabs over the course of the fight. Even though he lasted the distance, Briggs lauded Vitali as the most powerful puncher he’s ever faced, and also the best overall fighter he’s encountered in his 18 year career.
“He the best fighter I’ve ever fought,” Briggs said afterward, rating Vitali Klitschko over both Lennox Lewis and George Foreman.
The win improves Vitali Klitschko’s record to 41-2, with 38 KOs. Tonight also marked the fifth defense of his title. Shannon Briggs falls to 51-6-1, 45 KOs.
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What a beatdown. I have to hand it to Shannon Briggs, I thought he would have been out of there by round seven. He showed one hell of a chin and heart.
With that said, from about the ninth round on the beating was unnecessary. I know Briggs planned to continue his career win, lose, or draw, and those late rounds of punishment did him no favors. Once it was apparent he had no choice to win, his corner should have pulled him.
Vitali Klitschko is slowing down. I think his power is a little diminished, and he has to fight more in spurts. That’s not unexpected for someone that’s 39 years old. But has he slipped enough for someone to actually beat him? I can’t see Tomasz Adamek doing it, who’s being talked about as the next opponent. David Haye has a decent shot, but I would still make him an underdog.
You may not like the Klitschkos, but you have to respect them. They just continue to be a class above everyone else at heavyweight.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 