Hurricane Briggs hits US on November 10

By Paul Upham: Australian light-heavyweight champion Paul “Hurricane” Briggs, 12-1 (10), leaves for America on Wednesday where he will train in Los Angeles under Freddie Roach in preparation for his US debut on the Floyd Mayweather v Jesus Chavez undercard in San Francisco on November 10.
The 26-year-old Briggs, who finished his kick-boxing career with a record of 51-4-1 (38), was a recognised world champion and a big star in Japan in that sport. Now as a rising boxing star, Briggs will be training alongside IBF junior featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao, who is also trained by Roach. “I’ll believe it when I get over there, but I’ve got my fingers crossed. Apparently I’m fighting a Mexican on the undercard,” said Briggs.

“It’s a big card so it would be good to get on. They are trying to showcase me over there and this is meant to be my big splash into America so that’s why I’m going over with plenty of time to prepare properly and just give myself 100% chance rather than going over at the last minute and having a crack.”

Briggs is trained in Australia by Rod Waterhouse, but is looking forward to working with renowned trainer Roach to help his development into a Top 10 contender.

“It’s going to be a bit weird, but I’ll only be away for two weeks without Rod, but I’m just really looking forward to learning as much as I can,” said Briggs.

“I feel like a beginner again starting off. It’s going to be good to have some really good sparring. I just haven’t been able to get the quality sparring I need. The best I’ve had in Australia is Shannan Taylor, just because he is strong, but he is not a super-middleweight.”

After campaigning at cruiserweight and light-heavyweight, Briggs is now focusing on being a super–middleweight and is looking forward to getting better quality sparring in Los Angeles.

“It’s good to gauge yourself and that’s where I think Shannan Taylor made a huge mistake and I think Glenn Kelly is going to make the same mistake. If you are not fighting the same guys that these world champions are, to get a gauge just how far off them you are, the least you can do is spar the guys who are fighting them,” said Briggs, who after a short break following his last fight in September is now ready to explode.

“I’ve been training like a mad man and I feel great after having a lay off,” he said.

Paul Upham
Contributing Editor