Shannon Briggs has admitted Wladimir Klitschko’s boxing return is not impossible.
The former heavyweight champion also compared his own potential boxing comeback to restoring an old car with ‘new wheels’ and a ‘new battery.’
Klitschko has been seemingly on a collision course to face Tyson Fury, who suffered his second consecutive loss to Oleksandr Usyk in December.
Fury ended Klitschko’s reign of dominance over the heavyweight division by snatching his WBA, IBF and WBO titles away from him in 2015 following an incredible 22-fight winning streak over an 11-year period.
Klitschko would activate the rematch clause in his contract but their second fight was cancelled as the Briton’s mental health spiralled out of control.
In December, Klitschko revealed he was more concerned about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine than of his own return to boxing.
However, the 48-year-old went on to admit that ‘IF there was to be a fight’ he would be ‘ready on the spot.’
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikih has previously indicated that he would be interested in staging a ‘dream’ rematch with Klitschko’s old rival Fury.
“There’s no such thing as impossible,” Briggs told Sky Sports. “As we know mankind has done some amazing things.”
Briggs boxed Klitschko’s elder brother, Vitali Klitschko, in 2010, losing via unanimous decision over 12 rounds.
The American is one of boxing’s most renowned knockout artists, having finished 53 of his 60 professional victories in the squared circle by KO.
“[Klitschko’s] such a tough man, to become heavyweight champion and be fighting for your country at war with so many lives being lost.
“This is a true champion, a true strong man. It’s great for boxing.
“I’d like to fight him, no secret about that. Can’t take nothing away from him as a fighter, as a human being. What a guy.”
Klitschko joined the Ukrainian reserve army in February 2022 amid the threat of an invasion from Russia.
One month later, alongside brother Vitali, Klitschko announced he had raised €100 million of financial support for Ukraine with a fundraising campaign in Germany, and has since vowed he would ‘die’ for his country.
Briggs hasn’t stepped foot inside the boxing ring since flattening Argentinian journeyman Emilio Zarate in 2016 at London’s O2 Arena.
A fight with David Haye was supposed to follow but despite Briggs’ best efforts – including crashing the Brit’s press conference with Arnold Gjergjaj – it never came to fruition.
Over the last few years, he has been more active on the other side of the ropes, and even spent time training Logan Paul and Jake Paul for their early boxing bouts.
But now, it seems Briggs wants to step back on the inside of the ropes once again.
“You can take an old car and you can restore it,” he added.
“You can put in new wheels, new spark plugs, new battery and that car runs like a brand new car. It’s true. That’s what I feel for myself.
“Anything is possible. You can turn back time…Age is no longer a factor.”
