Image of Shannon Briggs with insets of George Foreman and Lennox Lewis Credit: Getty Images/Richard Rodriguez/Focus on Sport

Shannon Briggs names the hardest puncher he’s ever faced

Originally posted on Bloody Knockout | By Donal Long | Last updated Mar 31, 2025 4:43 PM ET

Shannon ‘The Cannon’ Briggs is one of the most devastating knockout artists of all time.

The former world champion has been able to send many of his heavyweight foes crashing to the canvas over the course of his career.

Briggs possessed an incredible amount of power, which saw him rise to the top of the division. This would lead to him facing names such as Vitali Klitschko, Lennox Lewis, and George Foreman.

Facing some of the greatest heavyweights of all time, Briggs was clear when it came to who the hardest puncher he’s shared the ring with was.

Shannon Briggs says George Foreman is the hardest puncher he’s faced despite age

Speaking to This is 50, Briggs began to reminisce on his huge outing against Foreman in Atlantic City.

Briggs would take on the legend ‘Big George’ in November 1997, just over three years after Foreman made history against Michael Moorer.

Despite Foreman being 48 years old on the night of the fight, Briggs said that the legend was the hardest puncher he’s ever faced. “To be honest with you man, he’s the hardest hitter I’ve ever faced. I kid you not.”

Briggs bested Foreman when the pair fought, winning via majority decision.

The outing would be the final appearance from Foreman as a professional.

Shannon Briggs’ final career loss came in 2010

In 2010, Briggs would get another opportunity to become a world heavyweight champion, as he took on Klitschko.

Facing the Ukrainian in Germany, Briggs, 38, had a professional record of 51-5-1, while the defending champion was 39 with a 40-2 record.

In what was a completely dominant performance, Klitschko retained his WBC World Heavyweight title via unanimous decision. Briggs would win the following nine fights of his career, but would not reclaim a world title.

However, Briggs called out Wladimir Klitschko in 2024, the brother of Vitali, to try and get revenge for his 2010 loss.

This article first appeared on Bloody Knockout and was syndicated with permission.

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