Shannon Briggs brings unseen X Factors

Without getting too carried away I feel Briggs is a some what interresting contender

certaintly not the best availible but he brings some interesting factors to the table both good and bad

Shannons positives for this fight

Vitalis only title defense vs a man who fought for a version of the world title before. Danny Williams Gomez Areolla Johnson and Sosnowski never competed at the big stage before and Gomez and Danny williams and Johnson fought less than stellar efforts. Areolla and Sosnowski fought with courage

That said Briggs also has held a title the WBO and also held the lineal title at one point by defeating a hall of famer in George Foreman

so already briggs accomplishments dwarf his previous few opponents

He has some height at 6'4 and at 260 to 270 has a sturdy weight advantage

he can jab and he can hit


Negatives

He can tire very easily and very quickly had Lennox in trouble was gassed by the 5th....however on a side note he has defeated Lyahovich in the 12h while behind

another problem is Briggs has such a low out put of punches Vitali will have no problem winning rounds therefore if Briggs cant get the bomb in he will lose on the cards if Vitali doesnt stop him

the man isnt hard to hit Botha Wilson Sedrick 500 record fields and the much smaller ibragimov went to town on him

his chin isnt terrific but its not paper but he has been hurt

i feel the lack of defense mixed with stamina issues and low out put will be his undoing

also briggs hasnt been out of the 1st in his comeback telling us nothing about if his stamina is atleast decent

Prediction

Vitali plays it safe early for the 1st 4 or 5 feeling him out at a distance

around the 6th he will realize briggs is tired and beging to get the combos and power punches in full gear and stop him later on

i feel though if Vitali stuns him early which he can and briggs isnt playing possum and vitali feels safe letting it go early he can win this kirk johnson style

Briggs can only win by KO but Vitalis chin is iron never been down the only 2 times hes been in danger were later vs Lewis when he couldnt see the punches coming from the bleeding but he took them well and the 1st round vs Sander when Sander s hit him with that counter left hand and bulled him across the ring

 

also with Valuev hurt and Haye not fighting him there arent too many other offers avialible Solis is too green and wil be a mando anyway Austin brings nothing especially after Wlad crushed him

Adamek is busy and clearly isnt ready Povetkin and Peter are not gonna fight him

I also would love to see Briggs mouth get shut

 

but not at heavyweight

 

I'd pick Sosnowski to beat Briggs based on the hunger and effort vs Vitali

I also think Johnson could jab with him and win a boring decision