Shannon Briggs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shannon Briggs
Briggs in 2023
Statistics
Nickname(s)	The Cannon
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 4 in
Reach	80 in
Born	(1971-12-04) December 4, 1971 (age 53) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	68
Wins	60
Wins by KO	53
Losses	6
Draws	1
No contests	1
Medal record Men's amateur boxing US National Championships Gold 1992 Colorado Springs Heavyweight Representing  United States Pan American Games Silver 1991 Havana Heavyweight

Shannon Briggs (born December 4, 1971) is a former American professional boxer who fought from 1992 to 2016. He was a two-time heavyweight world champion. He first held the lineal heavyweight title from 1997 to 1998. Later, he won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title, holding it from 2006 to 2007.

Briggs was known by the nickname "The Cannon" because of his very powerful punches. He was an aggressive fighter who won many of his matches by knockout. In fact, 37 of his knockout wins happened in the very first round.

Early Life and Getting Started in Boxing

Briggs was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in a neighborhood called Brownsville. He had a difficult childhood and was even homeless for a time.

A moment that changed his life happened when he was 12 years old. He saw the famous boxer Mike Tyson in a park. Seeing the boxing star inspired him. At age 17, Briggs started training at Jimmy O'Pharrow's Starrett City Boxing Club in Brooklyn. Even though he was diagnosed with asthma as a child, he was determined to become a great boxer.

Amateur Boxing Career

As an amateur boxer, Briggs had a lot of success. He won the New York City Golden Gloves championship, the New York State Championship, and the National P.A.L. Championship.

In 1991, he competed in the Pan American Games and won a silver medal in the heavyweight division. The next year, in 1992, he became the United States Amateur Champion. He had hoped to compete in the 1992 Summer Olympics, but had to pull out because of a hand injury.

Professional Boxing Career

Becoming a Champion

Briggs started his professional career in 1992. He won his first 25 fights without a single loss. His first defeat came in 1996 against another undefeated boxer, Darroll Wilson.

A huge moment for Briggs came on November 22, 1997. He fought the legendary George Foreman, who was the lineal heavyweight champion. The lineal champion is the fighter who beats the previous champion to earn the title. The fight was close and went all 12 rounds. In the end, the judges gave the victory to Briggs by a majority decision. This made him the new lineal heavyweight champion.

Fighting Lennox Lewis

After becoming champion, Briggs's next big fight was against Lennox Lewis on March 28, 1998. Lewis was the WBC champion, and the fight was for his title.

Lewis proved to be a tough opponent. In the fifth round, the referee stopped the fight and gave the victory to Lewis by technical knockout. Even though he lost, Briggs earned respect. Years later, Lewis said that Briggs had the fastest hands and was the most powerful puncher he had ever faced.

Winning the WBO Title

After the loss to Lewis, Briggs continued to fight and build up his record. On November 4, 2006, he got another chance to become a world champion. He fought Siarhei Liakhovich for the WBO heavyweight title.

For most of the fight, Briggs was losing on the judges' scorecards. But in the final seconds of the 12th and last round, Briggs knocked Liakhovich down. He then trapped him on the ropes and knocked him out of the ring with just one second left. Briggs won the WBO heavyweight title in a dramatic comeback.

He lost the title in his next fight against Sultan Ibragimov in 2007.

Later Fights and Comeback

Briggs took a break from boxing but returned in 2009. In 2010, he fought for the WBC heavyweight title again, this time against Vitali Klitschko. Briggs showed incredible toughness by lasting all 12 rounds but lost the fight by a clear decision. He suffered several injuries in the match.

After a few years off, Briggs made another comeback in 2014. He won eight fights in a row between 2014 and 2016, with seven of them by knockout. During this time, he became famous for his catchphrase, "Let's go, champ!"

Briggs in 2016

Career Outside of Boxing

Briggs has also worked as an actor. He appeared in the movies Bad Boys II and Transporter 2. He also made a guest appearance on the TV show New York Undercover.

In 2019, Briggs became the trainer for internet personality Logan Paul for his boxing match against KSI. This introduced Briggs and his "let's go, champ" catchphrase to a new generation of fans.

Professional boxing record

See also

In Spanish: Shannon Briggs para niños