Shannon Briggs
American heavyweight champion with 37 first-round knockouts.
Last updated
via Wikipedia: Shannon Briggs · see source
Shannon Briggs is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2016. He held the lineal heavyweight title from 1997 to 1998 and the WBO heavyweight title from 2006 to 2007. Known for his punching power, he achieved an 88.3% knockout-to-win rate with 37 first-round knockouts.
Early life
Briggs was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the Brownsville section. He experienced homelessness as a child.
At age 12, he saw Mike Tyson in Bristol Park, Brooklyn, an encounter he said changed his life. He began training at Jimmy O'Pharrow's Starrett City Boxing Club at 17. Diagnosed with asthma as a child, his mother died of a heroin overdose on his 25th birthday.
Amateur career
Coached by James O'Farrell at Starrett City Boxing Club, Briggs competed mainly as a heavyweight. He became New York City Golden Gloves champion, New York State champion, and National P.A.L. champion. At the 1991 Pan American Games, he reached the final on several byes, earning a silver medal without a fight before losing to Félix Savón. In 1992 he became United States Amateur Champion.
He also won the 1991 Daily News Golden Gloves superheavyweight title. By December 1991 he was ranked third nationally. He sparred with pro Phil Jackson. His lawyer and adviser was Mike Marley.
Professional career
Briggs began his professional career in 1992 and was undefeated in his first 25 fights, trained by Teddy Atlas. His first loss came by third-round knockout to undefeated Darroll Wilson in 1996 on HBO. On November 22, 1997, he fought lineal champion George Foreman at the Trump Taj Majal in Atlantic City.
Foreman landed more punches (284 of 488, 58%) than Briggs (223 of 494, 45%). Foreman was the aggressor, breaking Briggs' nose in the 12th round but failing to knock him down. One judge scored a draw (114–114); the other two scored 116–112 and 117–113 for Briggs, giving him a majority decision and the lineal heavyweight title.
Outside the ring
Briggs has acted, debuting on New York Undercover in 1995 and appearing in films including Bad Boys II, Transporter 2, and The Wackness. He appeared on the Fugees' album The Score and in a music video for Thirstin Howl III.
In 2012, a federal court awarded his ex-publicist over $420,000 for her services. In 2019, he partnered with Applied BioSciences to market Champ Organics CBD products. He trained Logan Paul for his rematch with KSI in fall 2019, and his catchphrase 'let's go champ' became a viral meme.
Career statistics and honours
Medals
- Gold US National Championships — 1992 Colorado Springs Heavyweight
- Silver Pan American Games — 1991 Havana Heavyweight
Tables copied from the source article, totals included as the source gives them: Wikipedia: Shannon Briggs (CC BY-SA 4.0). Wide tables scroll sideways.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Shannon Briggs (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Statistics, medals and awards: the tables of the source article.
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