Boxing

Briggs disrupts Klitschko conference

ESPN staff

April 23, 2014

Shannon Briggs caused a stir at the press conference © Getty Images

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Former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs disrupted a news conference on Tuesday ahead of Wladimir Klitschko's title bout against Alex Leapai - demanding a fight of his own against the reigning champion.

Briggs lost a 2010 WBC title bout against Klitschko's elder brother Vitali - a fight that left the American hospitalised. He showed up at a news conference with Klitschko and Leapai and demanded a title fight against Klitschko in the United States.

Briggs eventually left after being pushed back by security. Klitschko joked that he had to restrain Leapai, saying: "I have never had to hold back my opponent at a press conference before."

Klitschko will defend his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles against Australian challenger Leapai in Oberhausen on Saturday.

This article first appeared on ESPN.com