World-ranked Australian boxer Paul Briggs is eyeing a world title fight next year after overcoming a traumatic health scare which he thought had ended his career. Briggs, who lost two memorable WBC light heavyweight title fights to Poland's Tomasz Adamek on majority points decision, on Monday resumed boxing sessions for the first time in two months. The Sydney-based 32-year-old, who hasn't fought since February, has revealed the ordeal he went through when experiencing worrying symptoms throughout this year. Briggs said all but one of the symptoms resembled a brain tumour and the emotional turmoil while trying to diagnose his problem had also imposed a lot of stress on his family. "I'd go to the post office and be standing in line and just standing there and the next minute I would be just about falling over, almost like I was drunk," Briggs told AAP. "I was coming to the gym trying to spar and my distance was way out and everything just wasn't right at all. "(My trainer) Johnny (Lewis) just called off a sparring session and said `why don't you get every test you can?' "I said to him `I don't feel right at all'. I had my eyes tested, I wear glasses now. "Eventually after a whole year of waiting and testing, it was my adrenal system and nervous system had both crashed. "The symptoms are a lot worse than what the actual problem is and I have good days and bad days, but some days it was like you are walking in an earthquake, like the whole ground is moving and the colours would just be ridiculously enhanced. "Just looking at trees and anything in normal everyday life would be so full on that my brain would overload, it was just over-processing everything. "As you start training, your adrenal system starts pumping all this excess amount of adrenaline into your body, so you end up with massive shakes. "It's very hard to explain, but it was really traumatic for a bit there, they thought I had brain tumours, then after all the testing they finally understand exactly what it is and at the moment we're in the process of treating that and I'm back in the gym now." Briggs said he was undergoing herbal medication treatment and his naturopath had reassured him his condition was treatable and he was going to be OK. While he hadn't announced anything, Briggs said as recently as two weeks ago he was effectively retired from the sport. Currently ranked eighth by the WBA and IBF and ninth by the WBO, Briggs revealed his management had been in talks with the camp of Britain's IBF light heavyweight world champion Clinton Woods. "At the moment we are trying to put something together there. I haven't fought in almost a year, but it should take two months to fix up everything, so if I can train and get fit in the process of them trying, I will do that," Briggs said. "Training like I've never trained before for three months in, I wouldn't be interested in a warm-up fight at all. "I'm sure I would be rusty for a couple of rounds, but I'm just in a different place mentally now from what I've ever been in my life, it's almost like I've got a new lease." For a bit im happy to see him back, but then again, I dont think he should be entering the ring. :verysad
The reason I put the icon was becouse Im sad to see him comming back to the ring. Adamek ruined Briggs, as much as I hate to say this. Briggs should just quit :[
I got that from reading through your initial post, but from the title it seemed like you were upset about the idea of having Shannon still in the picture (and who wouldn't be!) Paul could probably do to pack it in if he's been wise with his winnings. There's simply too much talent at LHW that's over his head for him to get a belt and not really many worthwhile fights outside the title picture.
Did you even bother reading the article?? Obviously not, so I suggest you do instead of posting idiot comments. Im a Briggs fan...incase you haven't figured it out. Rocket Scientist.
Yea but that but the bias in it? Hmm... :huh No there is no bias. But I agree with you. If Briggs is not in any life-threatning conditions, that I sure as hell would love to see him fight. He is exciting and he packs a good punch. I think he should get everything cleared up, and then fight in a tune up. The man hasn't boxed in nearly a year, so I would say a tune up would be a good idea. Then maybe a title shot, being he still has a decent ranking in the sanctioning bodys.
He shld continue.... what else is he going to do?? 32yrs isn't that old maybe 2-3yrs left to make a dollar.
