Legendary trainer Emanuel Steward says the most dangerous challenger his fighter, IBF Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko, could choose for his November 11 title defense is the one his HBO counterpart Larry Merchant has claimed he would least like to see.

“The only guy I told Wlad I didn’t want to fight was Shannon Briggs. Shannon is a fighter with very fast hands who can match Wladimir for size and not be out-muscled. He’s also a tight puncher. I wasn’t worried that much when Wlad fought Sam Peter. He clubs, so you can get away from his punches easier, plus he doesn’t put them together as fast and accurately. Shannon Briggs is the guy I dread the most in the entire division.”

According to Steward, who has known Klitschko since his Olympic days, it’s a matter of styles that makes Briggs such a high-risk choice. “He’s the most dangerous challenger in the division because of his size and speed. He may get tired later in a fight, but if you don’t make it through the first three or four rounds, who gives a damn? When Wlad was fighting Corrie Sanders, I was watching it on TV and I was always concerned because he’s the same type of guy. Kamikaze. He’ll let it all hang out and if you’re not prepared for it…And Corrie Sanders is nowhere near as big and fast as Briggs is. (New WBC King Oleg) Maskaev was a fight everybody was trying to make, but the more dangerous fight is still with Shannon Briggs. He’s a sturdier fighter. If it does take place, it’ll be a much bigger, more dangerous fight for Wlad than Maskaev.”

Fightnews.com