Picks on Vitali Klitschko vs. Shannon Briggs.

at Briggs' HGH gut.

I hate the heavyweight division.

 

Briggs is a real threat? I think we need to increase our standards a bit.

 

My heart says Briggs but my head is being too logical.

 

Just shows how low the standards for today's contenders are. A decent but largely underwhelming puncher from 1997 can get a title fight today and be recognized as a "legitimate threat" simply because he has knocked over some bums.

 

The most obvious fight in a long time. If I am wrong and Briggs wins, I will be totally shocked (and out of vcash).

A slow, lumbering, overmuscled caveman with basic skills, a poor defence and no stamina has all the weaknesses that Vitali exploits best. At the same time, Briggs's key strength (his power) is almost certainly going to be ineffective against someone with Vitali's chin.

At best, Briggs's height should mean that he does a better job of landing on Vitali than most of Vitali's opponents, and Briggs's heart should carry him into the later stages of the fight (or even the distance). Most likely, he gets stopped some time in the late rounds.

 

True. I guess it's all relative.

 

Obviously Briggs has been handpicked as an "easy night" for Vitali, and someone who's a lot more colourful than a Sosnowski or a Kevin Johnson.

I'd give any heavyweight who can be arguably rated top 30 a solid outside chance of upsetting Vitali Klitschko at the moment though.
I believe Klitschko is fading fast. Of course Briggs is even more faded, and never as good.
Still, when there's two old giants swinging haymakers at each other's faded reflexes, anything could happen - including twisted ankles and injured shoulders.

 

Your first paragraph just says more about the competition or lack thereof. And if it doesn't neccessarily say something about the competetion, then it says something about the style matchups Vitali has had in his recent fights. Briggs is a puncher, but he has to basically get lucky in order to win. He shouldn't be a threat because he hardly is... I might think Harrison is more of a threat to Haye than Briggs is to Vitali unless Vitali starts feeling his age. But even then he's in there with an inferior athlete that's old himself. A man that got a gift decision against a 48 year old Foreman 13 years prior. Of course Vitali should win!

 

Haye better take Vitali after this fight first or he will regret it. The man is their for the taking and you don't want him to lose or just retire when he can be taken out. Not that Haye is all that great but he's certainly quick enough.

 

VItali ko 8

 

Yeah, but would he be able to if Haye weren't allergic to pineapple?

 

Shannon can certainly punch, but I don't think he has the mobility to make it count in the early rounds and he doesn't have the gas tank to win a decision.

I think it'll be Klitschko 101 - jab, jab, straight, rinse and repeat, land the heavy stuff when you're sure they're exhausted. Shannon really isn't the defensive slickster type.

Vitali by late stoppage.