I think this was the game plan. Box, box, box, and punch when an opening is there until round 5. Then up the ante and stop Briggs, as he is no longer as dangerous.
The only time Briggs looks like a world beater is when he faces former butterbean opponents. This sucks.
Vitali enjoying the hell out of being better in every possible aspect of the fight... I think when he's tired of letting him hang around, he'll turn up the heat, unless Shannon packs it in between rounds.
Briggs is a joke. He's fighting a survival fight being very aware to turn and ride with Vitali's shots, but in the process, he's doing zero offensively. I look for Vitali to step on the peddle soon and take Briggs out of there.
Vitali is just destroying him, landing all the meaningful shots, backing him off. Briggs taking his punches well but will eventually drop or his corner will stop it. Vitali showing impressive speed and activity, underrated defense too.
Is Briggs ready to go? Not watching the fight, but it sounds like a 9th round TKO win is on the horizon for Vitali.