MIAMI _ Former pro boxing champion Shannon Briggs, 48, is a longtime South Florida resident, who sill trains.
He has aspirations in continuing his boxing legacy, competing in growing bare-knuckle fighting and even doing something with World Wrestling Entertainment.
In my interview with Briggs, he discussed boxing, bare-knuckle fighting, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Tyson Fury, WWE, The Rock, Rocky Johnson, Tony Atlas, "Bad Boys 2" with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, South Florida and more.
A two-time heavyweight boxing champ, Briggs grew up in a tough, rough area, the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. Mike Tyson, an inspiration to Briggs, and Riddick Bowe also are from Brownsville. Briggs's step-father was jailed and his mom battled substance abuse issues; so Briggs was left to fend for himself, basically homeless as a teenager.
At age 17, boxing changed, saved Briggs life. He trained at Jimmy O'Pharrow's Starrett City Boxing Club in Brooklyn.
Briggs experienced the roller coaster ride of life, from his tough youth to his boxing success to being banned from the sport and making a successful comeback.
At age 48, he continues to train in boxing in (South Florida) Hollywood with coach Jessie Robinson. Briggs has much respect for the sport and current heavyweight champ Tyson Fury, who he speaks to periodically.
An entrepreneur, family man, actor and boxer, Briggs is also interested in bare-knuckle fighting. As a former street fighter, he has interest in competing for BKFC.
Briggs went through ups and downs throughout his life. He overcame any personnel struggles.
Before it was closed, the famous 5th Street Gym in Miami, where Muhammad Ali trained is a place where Briggs worked out.
Briggs, who is 60-6-1 ( with 53 knockouts and 1 no contest), fought George Foreman, Ray Mercer and Lennox Lewis.
A WWE fan, Briggs would love to work for that top sports entertainment company (like Mike Tyson and Tyson Fury did). Briggs enjoyed Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund, Andre the Giant and his favorite Mr. USA Tony Atlas.
As a top amateur boxer in Golden Gloves, Briggs became friends with WWE Hall of Famer, the late, great Rocky Johnson, also a former Golden Gloves boxer and South Florida resident. And thus he met The Rock Dwayne Johnson.
Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas were the first African American tag team champions in WWE.
Briggs was in the movie Bad Boys II, filmed in Miami. He is friends with Martin Lawrence and Will Smith.
Briggs also had a part in the movie "Transporter 2."
Briggs has resided in South Florida for 20 years in Pembroke Pines with his wife, Alana, and their three children.
