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11/28/2006 Archived Entry: "Terry Smith Calling Out Shannon Briggs"
Terry Smith Calling Out Shannon Briggs
By Juan C. Ayllon
Photos by Dalia Duran
Terry Smith does a weaving drill in preparation for his upcoming bout
MIAMI, Fla. -- Heavyweight Terry Smith is intensely preparing for his upcoming bout versus Ramon Earl Hayes on the undercard of the Middleweight Title fight between Jermain Taylor and Kassim Ouma this December 9th. However, he's got a heavyweight championship on his mind.
Weighing roughly 225 lbs. at 6' 2," Smith's only losses were unanimous decisions to Jameel McCline in July and Calvin Brock in May 2004. He's served as sparring partner for such luminaries as former World Boxing Organization Champ John Ruiz, multi weight division champ and and current heavyweight contender James Toney, and current World Boxing Organization Heavyweight Title holder, Shannon Briggs.
Now he's calling out Briggs.
Dalia Duran is a photographer and sports journalist, as well as the daughter of all-time great boxing champion Roberto Duran. She shot these photos of Terry Smith as he worked out at the Young Tiger Foundation gym in Miami, Florida with trainer Erick "Tigre" Castaņo.
It was during Duran's photo shoot that Smith very pointedly called out Briggs. Having sparred with him, he told her candidly that he likes his chances a lot.
Duran, who's followed boxing all her life, noted that Smith's durability and busy style, combined with Brigg's tendency to tire badly as a fight wears on, gives Smith a decent chance of winning should the two fight.
"You saw how he (Briggs) fought last time," she added, referring to his title win over Sergui Lyakhovich by technical knockout in the 12th round on November 4th.
Briggs had to summon his reserves to mount the final assault and was visibly winded as he slumped on his stool for several minutes following his win.
A busy fighter with a solid chin, in May 2004, Smith gave Calvin Brock all he could handle in losing a unanimous decision. This is the same Brock (29-0, 22 KO's), who on November 11th fought for the International Boxing Federation Heavyweight Title. He was ultimately stopped by the champion, Wladimir Klitschko, in the seventh round.
Smith's bout versus Ramon Earl Hayes (15-21-1, 10 KO's) will be held at the Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where his friend, Jermain Taylor will defend his World Boxing Council and WBO Middleweight Titles agains Ouma in the main event. Both Smith and Taylor hail from Little Rock, Arkansas.
Assuming all goes well on December 9th, he just might get that shot at a title.
Terry Smith will be fighting on the undercard of this event
