Shannon Briggs Withdraws from Scheduled Bout
In a recent development reported by World Boxing News, Shannon Briggs has officially withdrawn from his scheduled bout on July 1 due to a knee injury sustained during training. Country Box promoter Jimmy Adams addressed the situation, clarifying that misunderstandings arose from earlier announcements, but did not provide specific details regarding Briggs’ injury initially.
Replacement and Rescheduling
On June 30, WBN reported that Evan Holyfield would step in for Briggs on the fight card, which prompted speculation given the lack of detailed explanations about the change. However, Adams confirmed to WBN that the former WBO heavyweight champion will be rescheduling his fight for August 5 instead of the originally planned date.
Briggs’ Recovery and Future Matchups
Briggs, who holds an impressive record of 60 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw, with 53 of those victories coming by knockout, has temporarily relocated to Turkey to continue his training as he recovers from the injury. WBN is in touch with Briggs’ team and is awaiting further medical updates. It’s worth noting that the injury is not expected to require surgical intervention.
Additionally, there has been talk about a possible matchup between Briggs and the veteran fighter Oliver McCall, who is also a former heavyweight champion and recently competed at the age of 60. Adams commented on the potential for this intriguing matchup, stating,
“Nothing is confirmed yet for a fight between Shannon Briggs and Oliver McCall, but the idea of these two former champions facing off is certainly appealing.”
Country Box’s Unique Appeal
The prospects of a Briggs-McCall fight would extend the trend of 1990s legends continuing to engage in boxing well into their later years, similar to legendary fighters like Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr., who both fought at advanced ages in recent years.
Adams is keen to enhance the appeal of Country Box by combining boxing with musical entertainment, and he has successfully brought in notable names, including middleweight contender Sergey Derevyanchenko, who will headline an upcoming event. Briggs’ son, Evan Holyfield, will also participate in this particular show.
Upcoming Events
Fans can look forward to Derevyanchenko’s fight on July 1 at The Troubadour Theatre in Nashville, Tennessee, running from 7:00 to 11:00 PM CDT, and tickets are available through the Country Box website. With events like these, Country Box aims to carve out a unique niche by integrating the nostalgia of boxing with the thrill of live entertainment.