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04/26/2006 Archived Entry: "Kushner, Briggs Back in the Big Apple"
Kushner, Briggs Back in the Big Apple
Story and photos by Laz Izada
From left to right: Briggs, Kushner, Kariya, Grano, and Kid Chocolate
NEW YORK - That’s right, boxing enthusiast, legendary promoter Cedric Kushner and top ten ranked heavyweight Brooklyn’s Shannon Briggs, 46-4-1 (40 KO’S), are back in New York City. Yesterday in Mid town, Manhattan's Palm Restaurant was site for the press conference that brought together a full house of national and local media.
Kushner was introducing his new promotional boxing company “Gotham Boxing” which will present a card every month at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan.
The first card named “The Premier” main attraction will feature Shannon Briggs taking on Chris Koval, 20-3 (18KO’S), from Youngstown, Ohio for the Vacant USBA Heavyweight Championship. Briggs will be looking for his third U.S. heavyweight belt and to continue his knockout streak of 10 opponents that he has going. Koval will be looking to upset Briggs and make a name for him self in the heavyweight division.
At the press conference, Briggs mentioned that he is “a new man and feels like [he’s] been given a second chance.” That this time around he is “more mature and dedicated.” With his new trainer Jeff Mayweather, he said, "I am ready to take on anybody and everybody and winning the heavyweight championship again.” Shannon feels that today’s world heavyweight titlists are unknown and lack the “flair and enthusiasm” that he has for the game. He would like to bring some of titles back to the United States especially doing it for New York.
Cedric Kushner at the presser mentioned that he is “happy to be back home promoting in New York City” and working with the outstanding New York Boxing Commission. Kushner feels that New York City is “the staging ground for new young up and coming talent” that he will present in his “Gotham Boxing” series. He is also in the process of negotiating with Sportsnet New York for the rights in transmitting his cards.
Kushner, a masterful promoter and innovator of boxing for the past 20 years, mentioned towards the end that he would like to see in the future a Boxing league similar to the NBA and other major sports attractions created for boxing.
One thing that’s for sure: with Kushner and Briggs anything is possible. They have the experience, knowledge, talent and love for the game to do what is best for it and its fans.
Laz Izada (right) with Shannon Briggs
