22 Jul 2010

Green beats Briggs with a feather

6:23 am on 22 July 2010

The Australian boxer Danny Green's IBO cruiserweight world title bout against Paul Briggs ended in farce after Briggs was knocked out just 29 seconds into the first round by a punch that hardly touched him.

Briggs stumbled a few steps, dropped to the canvas and was counted out after copping a mere graze to the head from a weak Green left jab that would have hardly fazed a commoner in the street.

Green was left fuming at Tuesday's weigh-in when Briggs tipped the scales at 87.2kg, more than 3kg above the agreed 84kg limit.

But the West Australian was even angrier after the inept showing from Briggs, who was returning to the ring for the first time since 2007.

Briggs was booed as he left the arena as irate fans, who paid a minimum of 70 dollars to attend the fight, showered the Queenslander with beer while chanting "bull-shit".

The fight was switched from Sydney to Perth at late notice after the NSW Sports Combat Authority refused to sanction the bout due to health concerns surrounding Briggs.

Since ending his retirement last year, Green has defeated Anthony van Niekerk, Julio Cesar Dominguez, Roy Jones Jr, Manny Siaca and now Briggs, although the latest fight could be hardly considered a bout.

The win improves Green's record to 30 wins (27 by knockout) and three losses.

On the undercard, New Zealand heavyweight boxer Shane Cameron defeated Australian Daniel Ammann by unanimous decision in their 10-round bout.