BRIGGS, SHANNON SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH

HISTORY: Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs (born December 4, 1971) is an American heavyweight boxer and actor. Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, Briggs was homeless for a period in his childhood. At age 17, Briggs began training at Jimmy O'Pharrow's Starrett City Boxing Club in Brooklyn, NY. Briggs began his career in 1992 and was undefeated in his first 25 fights. He suffered his first loss when he was knocked out by undefeated Darroll Wilson in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1996. The fight was broadcast on HBO and was a showcase of young heavyweight fighters. Following this loss, Briggs beat George Foreman for the lineal championship world heavyweight title; he then lost to Lennox Lewis for the WBC heavyweight title. In their 1998 fight, Briggs had Lewis in trouble early but lost by TKO in the fifth round. Shannon won the WBO heavyweight championship title when he knocked out Sergei Liakhovich in the last round of a November 4, 2006, matchup. After a lackluster 11 rounds which left the Arizona crowd restless, Briggs was losing on all three judges' scorecards. Sensing urgency, Briggs pressed the fight in the 12th round and knocked Liakhovich down. Briggs subsequently trapped him on the ropes and continued his assault, knocking Liakhovich out of the ring. Liakhovich landed on a ringside table, and the referee stopped the bout. The official time was 2:59. In his first title defense Shannon Briggs was to face Sultan Ibragimov on March 10, 2007; however, Briggs pulled out of the fight because he was diagnosed with "aspirational pneumonia." The fight was rescheduled fifty days later in Atlantic City on June 2, 2007, with a sluggish Briggs losing in a unanimous decision. On October 16, 2010 Briggs fought in a WBC world championship challenge against Vitali Klitschko in the O2 World at Hamburg. He took a severe beating and, after the fight, went down in his quarters. Brought to a hospital Briggs was initially treated in intensive care and found to have suffered a left orbital fracture, a broken nose, and a torn left biceps. In addition, he had another facial fracture above the right eye and a burst ear drum. Briggs was promoted by Don King Productions and is self managed. Offered here is a large format action photograph of Shannon Briggs which he has signed.

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is a color' action, 16" x 20" photograph. Boldly signed in blue sharpie by Shannon Briggs. No creases or tears. Photo done in 1998 by Al Bello/Allsport. Printed on heavy stock photo paper. Bold, clear image. Clean front and back.