Brooklyn born Shannon Briggs will return to his roots on March 10 when he makes his first WBO heavyweight title defense against Sultan Ibragimov at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The HBO main event was officially announced Wednesday afternoon to a standing room only crowd at the Firebird restaurant in mid-town. It will be the first defense of the belt Briggs won in November when he knocked out Sergei Liakhovich in the final second of the final round of the fight. Ibragimov, meanwhile, is coming off an exciting summer draw against Ray Austin in a title eliminator.

"I worked the corner for Ray Austin when he fought Austin so I know how tough he is," Briggs, 48-4-1, 41 KO's said of Ibragimov. "It's going to be a great fight. It's a great opportunity for me to showcase my talent at home. When I come to New York I get nervous because it's my home. It's a dream come true speaking to you as a champion instead of just a challenger," Briggs explained.

Ibragimov, 19-0-1, 16 KO's, a native of Rostov-na-Donu, Russia only spoke briefly through improving English. "I know Shannon is a tough, strong fighter," he said. "I'm ready for a strong, tough fight and a great heavyweight fight on March 10." Although he doesn't possess the New York boxing pedigree that his opponent does, Ibragimov has also recently boxed in the Big Apple; most famously in a headliner match against Al Cole at the Garden in 2005.

Almost everyone on the dais appeared confident that the Briggs - Ibragimov fight would be an exciting one. This included Ibragimov's Golden Boy co-promoter and current light heavyweight champion of the world, Bernard Hopkins. "These guys are big and these guys are strong but they have talent," Hopkins stated. Hopkins spoke of the heavyweight division clearing up in attempt to crown an undisputed champion. "The heavyweight division seems to be shaping up for boxing, the fans and the history of the heavyweight division." In an ironic twist, Hopkins once knocked out Briggs' current trainer, John David Jackson, in a middleweight championship fight ten years ago.

In contrast to Golden Boy and the Seminole Warriors Boxing Promotion in Ibragimov's corner, Briggs will once again have the promotional support of promoter Cedric Kushner of the newly formed Gotham Boxing. Kushner has promoted numerous Briggs fights in the past, particularly in New York. "Everyone knows how passionate I am about fighting in New York," Kushner stated. "I can assure you the key to this fight is that it's not just another fight; it's a world heavyweight championship fight at the The Theatre at Madison Square Garden." Don King, who promoted Briggs' win over Liakhovich, was not in attendance Wednesday.

Joel Fisher of Madison Square and current NYSAC Chairman Ron Scott Stevens meanwhile, also expressed enthusiasm at the chance to host the fight. "We're thrilled in New York to have this event. Shannon is from New York and he's a native son. We're looking forward to a tremendous WBO heavyweight championship fight," said Stevens.