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Soviets Lose Boxing Monopoly as Briggs Grabbs WBC Title

Until the recent finals of the World Boxing Organization heavyweight fight in Phoenix, all four major heavyweight titles were in the hands of boxers from the former Soviet Union. The WBA crown belongs to Nikolei Valuev, Oleg Maskaev owns the WBC belt and Wladimir Klitschko from the Ukraine carries the IBF title. However, the recent fight in Phoenix ended this monopoly when American Shannon Briggs, took the crown from defending champion, Sergei Lyakhovich in a sensational knockout.

The first twelve rounds of the match had the crowds booing the fighters for giving a rather tedious performance. Briggs didn?t impress the judges and was lagging behind in points, when he decided to give it all he had to end the match in his favor. With only thirty seconds remaining in the final round, Briggs sent his Belarus-born opponent to the canvas. Although Lyakhovich managed to get to his feet, he backed away from a powerful assault brought on by Briggs, which finally sent him backwards between the ropes onto a ringside table and to his defeat.

This has been a huge comeback for 35-year old Shannon Briggs who last played for a world title eight years ago against the UK?s Lennox Lewis. That game ended in defeat for Briggs after only five rounds. In response to his win, Briggs stated, ?I would?ve probably gone home and shot myself in the head if I hadn?t won!?