The Night Vitali Klitschko Humbled Briggs

The year is 2010. Shannon The Cannon Briggs has been demanding a title bout from Vitali or his brother Wladimir Klitschko for what feels like an eternity. With the man from the USA finally getting his chance, he needs to travel across the sea to take the WBC belt | HO

Shannon Briggs left in intensive care after 12 round beating at the hands of Vitali Klitschko

Shannon Briggs was in intensive care last night with concussion and fractured cheekbones after his defeat by WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in Germany.

The New Yorker, 38, lost on points in Hamburg but Kent referee Ian John-Lewis refused to stop the fight despite the horror beating.

Hospital doctors discovered a broken left orbital bone in Briggs’ face, a broken nose and torn left biceps, which will keep him in hospital for one week.

Pounding: Briggs was hurt by Vitali Klitschko

His promoter Greg Cohen said: ‘His biceps is a serious injury and they have to do surgery. He was in intensive care for precautionary reasons. The injuries are not life threatening.’

Referee John-Lewis defended his performance saying: ‘These guys are tough and as long as a man fights back, you have to give him a chance.’

Before being hospitalised Briggs told WBA champion David Haye to forget any hope of beating Klitschko.

Beating: Vitali Klitschko left Shannon Briggs in intensive care after their fight on Saturday night

He said: ‘I’ve faced George Foreman and Lennox Lewis, but Vitali is better than both of them.’

Klitschko hopes that he or brother Wladimir, the IBF and WBO title holder, will fight Haye next year.

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