SHANNON’S SHAME

SHANNON BRIGGS’ proposed June 3 bout with fellow veteran Fres Oquendo is facing cancellation after ESPN report that “The Cannon” tested positve for “dramatically increased levels of testosterone.”

The bout, which was going to be sanctioned by the WBA for their secondary heavyweight strap, was already the object of much derision in the sport due to neither combatant doing anything to merit a title shot. Even prior to 45-yearold Briggs’ sample revealing a 7.89 to 1 testosterone to epitestosterone ratio (the allowable limit is 4 to 1), the Hollywood, Florida conest was in jeopardy after promoters failed to find a television broadcaster.

Those fans preparing to breathe a sigh of relief that this ridiculous saga is over should remain on guard a little longer; Boxingscene report that former cruiserweight contender BJ Flores – somehow ranked by the WBA at heavyweight despite his last meaningful fight being a thrashing at the hands of Tony Bellew – is ready to step in and take Briggs’ place.

One can only hope that the WBA see this as an opportunity to stop all this nonsense right now. The writing has been on the wall for a long time.

INOUE REIGNS SUPREME

THE brilliant Naoya Inoue knocks out Ricardo Rodriguez in three rounds to defend the WBO superflyweight title in Tokyo.