Briggs has built an impressive career with 60 wins, including 53 knockouts. He holds the record for the most first-round knockouts in the heavyweight division at 37. In 2006, he briefly held the WBO heavyweight title. His notable victories include wins over George Foreman and Ray Mercer, while he's faced losses against top-tier opponents like Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko.
The last time Briggs fought was in May 2016, when he knocked out Emilio Zarate in the first round. Since then, he's made his 'lets go champ!' catchphrase famous, keeping himself in the public eye despite his absence from the ring.
Heavyweights often have longer careers compared to fighters in lower weight divisions. George Foreman, for example, became the oldest man to win a heavyweight world title at 45 when he defeated Michael Moorer. However, recent history has shown the risks of late-career comebacks. Just last November, 58-year-old Mike Tyson returned to the ring only to be soundly beaten by Jake Paul, a much younger but less experienced opponent.
According to World Boxing News, Briggs' opponent for the July 1 bout hasn't been named yet. There's speculation it could be Oliver McCall, another former champion who's 59 years old.
Many fans are worried about Briggs' return to the sport. Boxing is dangerous, and at 53 with a long period of inactivity, the risks are even higher. Despite these concerns, Briggs seems determined to make his comeback a reality.
"Let's go champ!"
Briggs' signature catchphrase will surely echo as he prepares for his return to the ring. The boxing world will watch closely to see if "The Cannon" can still fire at 53.