DUESSELDORF, Germany — Former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs disrupted a news conference on Tuesday ahead of Wladimir Klitschko’s title bout against Alex Leapai — demanding a fight of his own against the reigning champion.
Briggs lost a 2010 WBC title bout against Klitschko’s elder brother Vitali — a fight that left the American hospitalized. He showed up at a news conference with Klitschko and Leapai and demanded a title fight against Klitschko in the United States.
Sensation at @Klitschko @Alex_Leapai press conference – invaded by Shannon Briggs – wild scenes Leapai fires up pic.twitter.com/DjABaEk6Bw
— Grantlee Kieza (@GrantleeKieza) April 22, 2014
Briggs eventually left after being pushed back by security. Klitschko joked that he had to restrain Leapai, saying "I have never had to hold back my opponent at a press conference before."
The moment when Alex Leapai had to be restrained from tacking on Shannon Briggs by Wladimir Klitschko pic.twitter.com/NccboLSprA
— Brent Read (@brentread_7) April 22, 2014
Klitschko will defend his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles against Australian challenger Leapai in Oberhausen on Saturday.