Defending World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Sergei
"White Wolf" Liakhovich appeared to be cruising to a decision
win in a relatively uneventful contest under a full moon at
Phoenix's Chase Field Saturday night until Shannon "The Cannon"
Briggs exploded in the last 30 seconds in the 12th and final
round to score two miraculous knockdowns--the last of which left
Liakhovich outside the ring, sprawled out on the timekeeper's
table as referee Bobby Ferrara waved off the action with one
second to go in Arizona's first-ever heavyweight world
championship.
What Liakhovich didn't know was
that he was ahead on all three of the judges' scorecards
after 11 rounds. Two judges had the Russian ahead by
three points, 106-103, and the final judge, Chris
Wilson, had him ahead 105-104.
Had Liakhovich simply bobbed, weaved and stayed on his
feet in the final round, and all three judges gave
Briggs a 10-9 round, Liakhovich would have won by
majority decision.
If he had only suffered one
knockdown in the final round and all three judges'
scored the round 10-8 for Briggs, Liakhovich would have
won by split decision.
If Liakhovich had somehow crawled back into the ring
after the second knockdown, rose to his feet, have been
deemed by the referee to continue for the final second,
and all three judges' scored the round for Briggs 10-7,
Liakhovich still would have retained his title by
escaping with a draw.
As we all know, Sergei didn't know that, and that's not
how it turned out.
Post-Fight Ring Quotes
Luis Collazo: “Believe it or not, I was nervous when I
came into the ring tonight but it was the kind of
butterflies any good athlete gets just prior to
competing.
“I saw tapes of my opponent, Artur Atadzhanov, so I knew
he was a pretty good fighter. I didn’t take him
lightly.
I want the winner of Quintana and Cotto. They are
fighting for something that belongs to me and I want it
back.”
Elio Rojas: On fighting outdoors at Chase Field… “It’s
always great to fight on a different stage and I’ve
never fought anywhere like Chase Field. It was an
incredible experience.
“Every time I fight for Don King it’s an honor. I’ve
seen it written that some believe I am his best prospect
and I’m proud of that.”
On fighting Luis Bolano… “It was a good fight for me.
Luis Bolano has twice fought for a world title so this
was big for me.
“I never lost my cool and I tried to treat him like any
other boxer so I wouldn’t get nervous. I could tell
immediately that he had great experience so I took my
time to minimize my mistakes.
“After a few more fights, I think I will be ready to
fight for a world title. My moment will come and I will
be ready.
“I have noticed the members of the press speak to me
more now and I want them to know I love them, too. I
look forward to my next fight on Sho Box on Jan. 16.
Juan Diaz: He (Angulo) kept
holding me but I felt strong. I was hurting him to the
body and then he held me so the referee deducted a
point.
“He was a tough guy. He could take a punch. Fernando
Angulo was a great boxer. He showed me different looks
that I had to figure out. I was trying to get him out
of there but you do what you can do.
“To be honest, I’m not even tired after going the full
12 rounds.
“I love my parents very much. My mom is the one who
makes me work hard in the ring and at the university.”
Fernando Angulo: “I had a good rhythm. I thought I
fought at very good fight.”
Sergei Liakhovich: “ I took too many shots (in round
12). I didn’t fight my fight. I fought Briggs’
fights. I gave it away.
“I knew it was a close fight – I thought I was ahead.
He got me with a really good punch. I had made a lot of
mistakes and I will be back. I give Shannon a lot of
credit.
“That was my mistake. I stood right in front of him. I
knew he was an experienced guy and he got me.”
Kenny Weldon, Liakhovich’s trainer: “I knew if Shannon
kept moving, he couldn’t get off. We prepared for 12
rounds.”
Shannon Briggs: “I was motivated man. I knew
Liakhovich was the toughest of the Russians to fight.
Don King rescued me. Nobody gave me a chance.
Everybody gave up on me.
“He hurt me a couple of times with some body shots. I
thought I had him out in the first round. My corner
kept telling me I was losing the fight. If I didn’t
turn it around, they said I would lose.”
To Liakhovich in the ring: “I was never mad at you. I
was trying to get under your skin.
“I met (trainer) Ronnie (Shields) when I was 17—I made
it Ronnie! My life has been a lot of ups and downs. I
was homeless and now I am heavyweight champion. Only in
America! I can go to my grave knowing I did something.
The lord was looking down on me with one second left.
“My running slacked off a bit but Chuck sparred the crap
out of me. I said I was going to bring the belt back to
the USA and I did.
“Chuck gave me a toungue-lashing after the 11th. I
looked up at the clock with :34 left and then I looked
up again and it said :25. I didn’t know how much time
was left when I knocked him down.
“That’s why I had Chuck McGregor because he knew every
way how to beat the guy.
“I tried to get him out in the first round; that’s my
thing.
“I had no beef with Liakhovich. I just tried to get
under his skin. I am a big fan of his. I just tried to
get in his head.”
