Preview article of Klitschko vs Briggs

[Skav]

By Lee Skavydis

 

Vitali Klitschko takes on Shannon 'The Cannon' Briggs on Saturday night at the O2 World Arena in Hamburg, Germany.

 

Briggs, 51-5-1 (45 KO's), has certainly been doing his part to make an effort to hype up their battle while the ever laid back Vitali, 40-2-0 (38 KO's), has been largely silent, most likely focusing on Saturday night in his own individual way.

 

Briggs is coming off three successive first round wins but his opponents were much to be desired, one in particular, Rob Calloway, lost to heavyweight flop, Audley Harrison back in 2003 by way of retirement in the 5th round.

 

After losing to Sultan Ibragimov by a Unanimous Decision for the WBO heavyweight title in June of 2007, Briggs came back two years later to fight and beat Marcus McGee by a first round knockout, however, the decision was later changed to a No Contest due to Briggs testing positive for an illegal substance.

 

With the heavyweight division being so dire, it is no surprise that practically anybody can be granted a title shot these days even if you do not deserve it....eh, Audley Harrison?

 

For Vitali Klitschko, just like his brother, Wladimir, his career has consisted of routine defense after routine defense and many are predicting the same on Saturday.

 

Age has hinted to have caught up with Vitali, who turned 39 in July, as his legs do not seem to be what they used to as he has shown signs of heavy tiredness in his last few bouts but the technical skills, especially that ram rod of a jab, is still as present as ever as well as his granite chin.

 

Shannon Briggs may need a blessing to win on Saturday but this is boxing and anything can happen!

 

If, somehow, age totally catches up with Vitali then Briggs could, at 38, achieve the nearly unthinkable.

 

However, in all likelihood, Vitali takes this one with a mid to late round stoppage, keeping Briggs at bay with his jab and ocassionally hitting him with the right hand, as usual, and his beloved Ukrainian and German crowd will be singing praises for him once again.

[donlevy]

Vitali's clearly past it,which is most likely why he's picking all these easy opponents until a major fight with someone like Haye pops up.Wlad is atleast fighting other opponents who are rated.Chisora,based on credentials is the weakest opponent Wlad has fought for a while,and he's only fighting him due to several other top heavyweights not willing to fight him.

 

 

 

What happened with Solis as Vitali's mandatory? He's a slob,but he's a genuine threat based on his natural talent alone.