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THIS PUGILISTIC POLITICAL MESSAGE COMES TO YOU FROMSHANNON BRIGGS
Mon November 6 - I don't have a Ph.d. I barely made it through high school. But I must agree with Dr. Wladimir Klitschko when he says there should only be ONE world heavyweight boxing champion.
That makes all the sense in the world. But maybe Klitschko didn't get Saturday night's late fight result from Chase Field in Phoenix, where I dramatically separated WBO champ Sergei "White Wolf" Liakhovich from his senses. I tried to knock the rugged Belarussian out in the fifth row at ringside but he only flew as far as the scorer's table. I am just glad he did not get seriously hurt; he's a tough customer and he will bounce back. It was a great KO and it came with one second left in the bout.
There is a new sheriff in town, in the heavyweight ranks, and his name is Shannon Briggs. There is one world heavyweight champion and, putting my usual Brooklyn modesty aside, when I look in the mirror I see him.
But talk is cheap, I will prove that I am THE MAN in the ring. With the expert guidance of my great promoter, Don King, and my wonderful manager, Scott Hirsch and my training team headed by Chuck McGregor, I plan on capturing the other three title belts and becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion.
I know tomorrow is Election Day all across America and, as the only American holding a world heavyweight title belt, I do not care about Democrats, Republicans or Republicrats either. I aim to make all of America's boxing fans into Briggsocrats.
You may know I thought, when I tinkled with Shelly Finkel, that I would be challenging Klitschko November 11. But Dr. Evil, as I call him, let me twist in the wind and manager Hirsch and I went to Mr. King who rescued us. I would've knocked out and I will knock Klitschko. Even his trainer, Manny Steward (who is smarter than your average Ph.d) knows that. Google his quotes about me and that is 100 percent verified.
So, dear voters and fellow Americans, I pledge to you that I will kill Klitschko, that I will vanquish the so-called "Russian Giant" Valuev and that I mangle Oleg Maskaev.
The Russian domination of the heavyweight title is finis, over and done. I am made in Brooklyn, USA, and I am definitely in the heavyweight title house.
As you go to the pugilistic polls, fans, take your ballot and vote the straight Briggs ticket. Briggs for undisputed heavyweight champion. I gave you some thrills in that 12th and final round against White Wolfie and I promise more against these other pretenders to the throne.
Underachiever. Asthmatic. Excuse-maker and fistic faker. My opponents and some other haters have called me all of those things. I love it. I told you I was the Black Hope, the American Hope, and I delivered on my first campaign promise.
The best is yet to come. Thanks to all of my loyal supporters and I can't wait to see all my friends and family in New Jersey, New York and South Florida. We will party and then I go back on the campaign trail. One belt down and three to go.
I want you to elect me, your humble servant Shannon Briggs, to put the red, the white and the blue on all four belts. Vote for me and I will knock them all out.
I am Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs and I approved this message.
Scott LeDoux responsible for ‘Boxing Is Back’ in Minnesota
Mon November 6 - MINNEAPOLIS (November 6, 2006) – Former world heavyweight title challenger and Minnesota boxing icon Scott “The Fighting Frenchman” LeDoux is largely responsible for bringing pro boxing back to his home state.
LeDoux, 33-13-4 (22 KOs) as a pro boxer, successfully lobbied to reinstate the Minnesota Boxing Commission to create more opportunities for the state’s best boxers to fight at home. Now the executive director of the five-member commission, LeDoux’ hard work culminates November 17 with the first Minnesota pro boxing show in five years, billed Boxing is Back! -- featuring an all-star cast of Minnesota fighters – at The Target Center in Minneapolis.
‘It was a long process because I didn’t know how to get a bill written and sponsored,” LeDoux explained. “Last fall I spoke to the governor and he said he’d do everything he could to get it (boxing bill) passed. I became an elected official (County Commissioner in Anoka) and a few legislators helped me write the bill. Then I testified before 12 different committees.
“We’re all excited about November 17 and want to see a lot more fights in Minnesota. We have 11 different main event fighters in Minnesota who weren’t able to fight in their home state. Now they’ll have that chance.”
The Contender Season One star Anthony “The Bullet” Bonsante (27-8, 15 KOs), of Shakopee (MN), headlines against St. Paul super middleweight Troy “TNT” Lowry (27-6, 16 KOs) in the 10-round main event for the vacant Minnesota State middleweight championship. In the 10-round co-feature, St. Paul middleweight Matt “The Predator” Vanda (34-2, 21 KOs) battles veteran Quandry “Candy” Robertson (14-9, 4 KOs).
“Boxing Is Back!” is presented by former Minnesota boxer Tony Grygelko’s Seconds Out Promotions.
LeDoux, who fought Larry Holmes for the World Boxing Council heavyweight title in 1980, retired from the ring in 1983 after fighting professionally for 10 years. He took on a virtual Who’s Who of heavyweights in the mid-seventies to early eighties: Holmes, Frank Bruno, Gerri Coetzee, Greg Page, Mike Weaver, Ken Norton, Ron Lyle, Leon Spinks and Duane Bobick to name some of his more notable opponents.
“Tony’s (Grygelko) put a good group together,” LeDoux added. “He’s such an intellectual guy. Tony will get the job done. He’s very enthusiastic. This is his maiden voyage and he will learn a lot. But he’s very bright and a former fighter who knows how promotions should be done. I know he’ll do a good job. What we all have to do is follow the book closely and do the right thing.”
Impressive victories by Bonsante and Vanda could set-up an All-Minnesota showdown between the archrivals in January at the Target Center in the second show of Seconds Out Promotions’ planned boxing series.
In the eight-round chief supporting bout, Minnesota State light heavyweight champion Zack “Jungle Boy” Walters (15-1, 11 KOs), fighting out of Long Prairie (MN), steps up in class to battle Columbian KO specialist Hugo Pineda (37-3-1, 27 KOs).
Also on the undercard, Andy Kolle (10-1, 8 KOs), of Fergus Falls (MN), meets Cuban middleweight Andres “Kid Cubita” Larrinaga in a six-round bout. Minnesota State featherweight champion Allen “The American Boy” Litzau (10-2, 6 KOs), of St. Paul, has been added to the Minnesota all-star card against Bronx veteran Hassan “Kato” Wasswa in another six-rounder. Litzau is the brother of undefeated featherweight Jason Litzau (20-0, 18 KOs), who is rated No. 8 by the WBA and No. 10 by the IBF.
In three other four-round matches showcasing local favorites, St. Louis Park (MN) featherweight Wilton Hilario (4-0, 4 KOs) tangles with Elvis “El Burrito” Martinez (10-18-2, 4 KOs); Minneapolis super middleweight Phillip Williams (1-0, 1 KO) takes on Jake Hecht (0-1); Minneapolis middleweight John Schmidt makes his pro debut versus an opponent to be determined. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, reasonably priced at $25.00, $50.00 and $100.00, are available at the Target Center box office, all TicketMaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 651.989.5151. VIP tables also are available.
Doors open at 6 PM, first bout at 7 PM. For more information call 612.673,1600 or go to www.targetcenter.com.
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