Shannon Briggs

Shannon Briggs (born December 4, 1971) is an American former professional boxer who competed between 1992 and 2016.

In 1983, when Briggs was 12, he saw Mike Tyson in Bristol Park, Brooklyn, New York.

Briggs' friends called out, "Here comes Mike."

Briggs said he was too scared to run and that seeing Tyson that day "changed his life."

At age 17, Briggs began training at Jimmy O'Pharrow's Starrett City Boxing Club in Brooklyn, NY.

He was diagnosed with asthma as a child.

Briggs competed mainly in heavyweight division (201 lbs,) he became New York City Golden Gloves champion, New York State Champion, National P.A.L. Champion and finished second at the Pan American Games in 1991, stepping into the finals on several byes, thus gaining a silver medal already without a single fight, though losing the final to Félix Savón.

Along with two national titles in heavyweight was the winner of the 1991 Daily News Golden Gloves superheavyweight title.

By December 1991 he was ranked third nationally in his class.

As an amateur he sparred with Phil Jackson, who was a pro at that time, preparing to fight Razor Ruddock.

Brigg's lawyer and adviser (equivalent of pro's manager) at that time was Mike Marley, the ex-Post boxing writer.

Marley later managed Briggs as a professional.

USA−Poland Duals (heavyweight), Northern Michigan University Olympic Training Site, Marquette, Michigan, February 1991:

United States National Championships (heavyweight), Colorado Springs, Colorado, February 1991:

National Golden Gloves (heavyweight), Des Moines, Iowa, May 1991:

U.S. Olympic Festival (heavyweight), Colorado Springs, Colorado, July 1991:

Pan American Games (heavyweight), Havana, Cuba, August 1991:

In 1992 he became the United States Amateur Champion.

USA−Poland Duals (heavyweight), Bialystok, Poland, January 1992:

United States National Championships (heavyweight), Colorado Springs, Colorado, February 1992:

Olympic Trials (heavyweight), Centrum, Worcester, Massachusetts, June 1992:

Briggs aimed to get a shot at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, but quit from the national olympic trials over a hand injury.

Briggs began his career in 1992 and was undefeated in his first 25 fights, and was trained by Teddy Atlas.

After capturing the WBA and IBF titles from Michael Moorer late in 1994, George Foreman forfeited both titles but retained the lineal championship and successfully defended that crown (as well as the lowly regarded WBU heavyweight title) against then-undefeated prospects Crawford Grimsley and Lou Savarese.

Following his win over Savarese, Foreman fought Briggs.

The fight was controversial as Briggs ultimately picked up the victory by way of majority decision.

Through the course of the fight, Foreman landed more punches and had a higher percentage of his punches land than Briggs.

Foreman landed 284 of his 488 punches for a 58% success rate while Briggs landed 45% of his punches, going 223 for 494.

Briggs' mother died in Brownsville due to a heroin overdose on December 4, 1996, Briggs' 25th birthday.

Coached by James O'Farrell, Briggs got his start at the Starrett City Boxing Club.

He suffered his first loss when he was knocked out in three rounds by undefeated Darroll Wilson in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1996.

The fight was broadcast on HBO and was a showcase of young heavyweight fighters.

Briggs fought against lineal champion George Foreman on November 22, 1997, at the Trump Taj Majal Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Coming into the fight, Briggs sported a 29–1 record with 24 of his wins coming by way of knockout; collectively, he fought a total of 86 rounds.

However, despite his record, his one loss had been a third-round knockout against Darroll "Doin' Damage" Wilson on HBO the previous year which halted his momentum and hurt his status as one of the premier up-and-coming heavyweights.

However, realizing that a win over Foreman would get him back into contention, Briggs vowed to be ready for the fight stating that he was "confident that I can go in and fight for 12 rounds and win a decision."

He held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title from 2006 to 2007.

Briggs was known for his formidable punching power and aggression, possessing an 88.3% knockout-to-win percentage with 37 knockout wins in the first round.

Briggs was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn.

For a period in his childhood he was homeless.