Almost a week old, but I haven't seen it posted yet and thought it'd be interesting for most guys here. http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Briggs-eyes-world-title-fight/2007/11/20/1195321762280.html Briggs eyes world title fight November 20, 2007 - 3:34PM 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."
I read that a couple of days ago. Funny that I mentioned a little while back that he was looking a bit ill but no-one made a comment. I have started reading Pauls book and must admit I snuck a quick look at the middle and back pages, I noticed God and Jesus was mentioned I wonder if this has anything to do with his new lease?
I read his book a while back, pretty inspirational. I often wondered if all the amphetamine use earlier in his life might have had a longterm impact on his health... I dont know that this is related, but I wouldnt be surprised. I hope everything works out for him.
Doubt it, although he has become more spiritual since he's married his wife Tasha. Some of the stuff in this article is pretty intense, hopefully it's a bit of an exaggeration.
Well that is the fight he should take because in the best in the divison by a country mile, all the other champs are average at best.
Thats poor logic IMO. Fighting the best and most talented fighter in the division after a long layoff. Lucky your not his manager. Pauls chance against Dawson would be very f*cking slim. Very bad fight, espeically when he can win belts and make some good money fighting the other belt holders.
Tbh, I don't think Paul would last the distance. While he has a good chin, Dawson would be hitting him quite often, and would probably win rounds easier than he did against Adamek. It's wise to go after Woods instead.
The article might explain why Paul looked so bad in his last fight with Van Aswegan, an opponent he would have kayoed in his best form.If this article is correct you would reckon Paul needs a safe warm up fight before challenging Woods
I am not sure briggs is telling the truth with this injury, sounds a bit more serious than he's leading on. a boxer with marks on his brain isn't good?! will be interesting to see what comes of it. with no lead up fight, given his last performance, woods will kill him.