The American was the "linear" champion in 1997-98, and at the turn of 2006-07, he also held the WBO champion title. He went twelve rounds with George Foreman and five with Lennox Lewis, but in his opinion, the toughest puncher was Vitaly Klitschko (45-2, 41 KO), to whom he suffered a devastating loss fifteen years ago. After that fight, Briggs spent several days in the hospital.
“It was one of the toughest fights of my career. Vitaly Klitschko was a tough fighter and possessed incredible strength. He hit harder than Foreman and Lewis, and he also had fast hands,” Briggs stated.