Thursday 3 September 2015 10:12, UK
Former world champion Shannon Briggs is still adamant he can force a bout with heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko.
The 43-year-old Briggs (58-6-1-KO51) faces Michael Marrone in Florida on Saturday night and with the night billed as a heavyweight tribute event, stars such as Klitschko, Evander Holyfield, MikeTyson, Tony Tubbs and Tony Tucker are expected to attend.
Briggs has been pursuing a clash with IBF, WBA (Super) and WBO champion Klitschko - who defends against Britain's Tyson Fury on October 24 - for over a year and has at various points resorted to disrupting press conferences and capsizing the Ukrainian's canoe when he was training on a lake.
The American, who lost to Wladimir's brother Vitali on points in 2010, said: "Klitschko didn't want to fight me then and he doesn't want to fight me now, but the people are going to force the fight.
"They laughed at George Foreman but then he upset Michael Moorer. This is going to be the biggest upset in boxing history – Shannon 'The Cannon' Briggs knocking out Wladimir Klitschko.
Klitschko is going down hard. I want the title back. I had the title twice but I was young and I was inexperienced and immature.
"Klitschko is going down hard. I want the title back. I had the title twice but I was young and I was inexperienced and immature. Who would have ever thought that Shannon Briggs grew up? And I feel good. I have a little gray hair on my chin but I feel fifteen years younger than I am.
"Everybody is going to think, 'wow, I thought he was just this guy having fun and laughing'. The heavyweight division is back...and I am ready to take over the heavyweight division."
Klitschko was not the only heavyweight champion Briggs targeted during the press conference.
On WBC king Deontay Wilder, Briggs said: "Wilder didn't want the fight. My partner Kris offered him $2m and he wouldn't take it. Al Haymon call me right now. I'm ready champ!"
