BRIGGS IS BACK...IN THE MIX
VACANT USBA HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ON THE LINE
By Laz Izada
Shannon Briggs vs. Chris Koval
(45-4-1 / 39 KO's) (23-2 / 18 KO's)
January 27, 2006
Miccosukee Resort & Gaming
Miami, FL (305) 925-2555
Telemundo-Television
Miami, FL (January 7,2006) Get ready South Florida fight fans, the heavyweight
division should be an exciting one in 2006. Now that Vitali Klitschko
has
retired, which heavyweight will emerge ahead of the pack?
Veteran heavyweight basher Shannon Briggs who defeated Foreman in ‘97, wants part of the action. He has recently returned to the ring with a vengeance, looking for another title shot. He has 9 straight overpowering knockout victories, 5 of those 9 being within the past year. In August of 2005 he knocked out Ray Mercer, 34-5-1, in the 7th round of their bout. Most recently in December of 2005, he knocked out Luciano Zolyone, who was 20-0 at the time, in 16 seconds of the 1st round. January’s upcoming rankings should have Briggs placed in the top ten at all major ranking organizations. He attributes his current success to being, “more focused, wiser, stronger, and a settled down, family man.”
While Briggs and his camp, as well as fight fans, anxiously
await a match in the works with Samuel (the Nigerian Nightmare) Peter 25-1 (24
KO’s), in 2006, Briggs must first take on Chris Koval on the 27th of January at
the Miccosukee Resort & Gaming in Miami. A Felix “Tuto” Zabala Jr. Promotion.
Koval, known as Special K, a 23 year old and from Youngstown, Ohio, comes in
with an impressive record of 23-2 (18 KO’s). His toughest fight was a unanimous
decision loss to 6’7” Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko 20-0 (12 KO’s), in Germany,
in March 2005. The bout was for the vacant IBF Youth Heavyweight Title. To
Koval’s credit in the loss, he went the distance and knocked down Dimitrenko in
the 2nd round, and was the only one to do so. Koval must also be commended for
stepping up to the plate against feared Briggs. This fight against Briggs that
Koval took, was turned down by 9 notable heavyweights, with Calvin Brock and
David Tua being the highest ranked. Briggs said that ranked contenders are
avoiding him because they know that he’s truly “back in shape, focused, and
dedicated this time around”.
The stakes are high for both Briggs and Koval, and this should
be an exciting matchup. Briggs looking for another knockout and future title
shot, and Koval looking to bring down another big man and winning this time. The
winner taking the USBA Heavyweight Title home.
The undercard brings us Columbian Jair Jimenez 22-5, facing Mexican Cecilio
Santos 18-5 for the WBO Latino Superflyweight Title. Zabala Jr. always seems to
showcase exciting latin matchups and this one is no exception.
Local upcoming Light Middleweight star Gilberto (sugar) Reyes
18-2 (11 KO’s) will also be on the card against an opponent to be named later.
On a scale of 1-5 gloves, I give this card 3 gloves. Don’t miss it! (Laz Izada
for inside boxing.com)
Rating System
1 Glove - Poor
2 Gloves - Average
3 Gloves - Good
4 Gloves - Very Good
5 Gloves - Excellent