Error code: %{errorCode}

Boxing

Shannon Briggs says Mike Tyson should fight him, not Roy Jones Jr.

Liam Happe
Shannon Briggs says Mike Tyson should fight him, not Roy Jones Jr.DAZN
Shannon Briggs says a matchup with Tyson would offer "zero possibilities of anything less than an explosive fight."

Shannon Briggs (60-6-1, 53 KOs) believes it should be him taking on Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) in an exhibition fight on Nov. 28, not Roy Jones Jr. (66-9, 47 KOs).

Jones, 51, is a former four-weight world champion, but fought predominately at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight during his peak years. His only world honors at heavyweight came at a quiet period for the division when he outpointed WBA champion John Ruiz in Las Vegas on March 1, 2003.

"Superman" has even expressed some regret to signing on to box 54-year-old Tyson, who was once one of the most dangerous fighters in history and has been rediscovering some of his old aggression in training videos shared on social media.

"He's still Mike Tyson, he's still one of the strongest, most explosive people who ever touched a boxing ring. If anything, I made a mistake going in with him. He's the bigger guy, he's the explosive guy," Jones said last week.

Briggs, 48, feels he would be a far more suitable adversary for Tyson, who is looking to use the fight to get a "Legends Only" seniors sporting circuit up and running.

“I personally don’t think a lot of people want to see Tyson vs 'Little Roy,'” said Briggs, via fightnews.com.

“A matchup between Mike and I makes a lot more sense for many reasons. Think of what the build-up leading up to the fight would be like. We are both from the same neighborhood mean streets. It would be the battle of Brooklyn!

“What heavyweight champion in history has more first-round KOs than me? You already know Mike is going to bring it from the opening bell. Neither of us would run, so zero possibilities of anything less than an explosive fight.

“There are so many people going through such a tough time in our country right now. So many protests and social movements going on. This would be a much-needed relief in a positive, entertaining way.

“Let’s let the fans decide with a poll. Who would you’d rather see fight Mike Tyson? Me or Roy? LETS GO CHAMP!”

While Briggs has made his thoughts clear, it's a far cry from his usual lobbying campaigns for a fight, such as sitting at Wladimir Klitschko's table and helping himself to the Ukrainian's food.

Watch on YouTube

Briggs hasn't fought professionally since May 21, 2016, on the undercard of David Haye vs. Arnold Gjergjaj with a first-round hammering of Emilio Zarate.