NYC Fight Report/Shannon Briggs In Action
By Michael Woods May 25th, 2006Gotham Boxing debuts in New York City
It was Cedric Kushner’s return to the NYC scene. It was the next stop in Shannon Briggs’ last shot at overturning his underachiever label. But really, Wednesday evening at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City belonged to Martinus Clay, a middleweight from North Carolina.
Clay upset Minnesota’s Matt Vanda (34-2) in an eight rounder and his reaction, and the reaction of his corner, who nearly deafened anyone in a 20-foot radius as they shouted instructions to their man, was priceless. One judge called the bout a draw while the other two gave it to Clay (12-12), who moved smartly, countered adeptly and proved that he just plain wanted it more than Vanda, The Predator who turned to prey.
Shannon Briggs (47-4-1) and Chris Koval ( 23-3) gave an entertaining show to the crowd, which was a little thinner than I hoped for Kushner, whose cards I generally like and who usually spends some dough to put on a good show. Briggs weighed 273, and he wears it well, but when is he going to trim down and show he’s really serious? Koval is amateurish, but he showed spunk as he trash talked the Brooklyner. Briggs chopped up his face and the doctor said no mas after the third as Koval’s nose was busted.
Curious whether JD Chapman is a future star in the heavyweight division? Based on his showing vs. Ed Gutierrez, the answer is a firm no. Maybe the kid was coming off the flu, or has some other reason, but with his edge in age and skills, there’s no way this fight should have been close. But it was, and I was hoping the 40-year-old Gutierrez would make it back to Illinois with an upset win in his pocket. Nope. The Arkansan Chapman (23-0) won a UD10. Gutierrez is 15-2-1, both losses to big JD. Chapman needs to snap the jab and show some ferocity; make like you mean it, bro.
Also, Connecticut’s Tony Grano (5-0) drew with Brooklyn’s Rodney Ray (3-3-1) in a heavyweight four; NYC’s Chika Nakamura (4-0) beat Floridian Cynthia Jones (1-7), who wore basketball shorts and cross-trainer sneaks for her bout, in a super bantam four; ND’s Pete Quillen was a scratch because of opposition’s medical snafu.
(Email news tips to Michael Woods at Fightwrite@gmail.com)
May 26th, 2006 at 7:27 am
Briggs is back in the mix… but how on gods green earth did he end up with the world heavyweight number 5 ranking on BoxRec.com?? He is still good, and his power is still awesome, but how about fighting someone at least a little bit credible, like Brock, or Peter, or Dominick Guinn, Audley Harrision, or even someone like McBride or Beck for god’s sake. John Ruiz could use a good wake up call, a win over him or the winner of Mora-Oquendo would definetly propel Briggs to a power shot. But seriously… Briggs, get back down to at least 240, thank you.
May 26th, 2006 at 11:28 am
Briggs is Back, But he shouldnt call out Klitchko. Briggs is not in his league. My opinion he is washedup and should retire with his USBA belt. He cant beat top competetion anymore. Lets focus on Calvin Brock, or O’neil Bell for a chance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 26th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
That’s exactly what I said, he needs to fight one of the guy’s you and I have named above to prove himself worthy.
May 26th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
If Briggs stepped in the ring with Wladmir the way he did in MSG, then he would have serious problems (Briggs, that is).
First, he would try to knock out Klitschko with bombs and find out that he would be on the long end of the left jab of the Iron Hammer.
Secondly, he would throw punches for about six or seven rounds, and miss half of the time, which means that by the time the fight is in the eighth round, his punches wouldn’t have the “umff” that would be needed to do the type of damage they would if it were the second or third.
Lastly, the fight would be very similar to the way Wladmir fought, and beat, Sam Peter. If you think that Sam Peter won that fight and deserved a unanimous decision victory, then you need to see the fight again. The only rounds won by Sam Peter were those in which he knocked down Wladmir.
I think that Briggs needs to train for distance and let the knockout happen, instead of going into the ring with just one plan - decapitate, decapitate, decapitate. I ain’t Simon Cal and this ain’t American Idol, so trying to win a fight with just one game plan is about as stupid as thinking Chicken Little was the next American Idol.
Let Briggs fight Peter, then the winner fight Calvin, and THEN the winner take on Wladmir in PPV. Staying active will generate public interest in a fight, but it won’t win you any!
May 29th, 2006 at 9:07 am
I dont think Shannon can quite pull it off against any of the champs other than Valuev. If he gets Valuev he may just come through.