Ibragimov will fall in first round, says Briggs

World Boxing Organisation champion Shannon Briggs predicts he will knock out Sultan Ibragimov in the first round of their bout scheduled for June 2 in Atlantic City.

The clash was originally set for March 10 in New York, but Briggs pulled out due to pneumonia. It was rescheduled to take place in Moscow but that also fell through.

Briggs told reporters this week it did not matter to him where they fought since he expected a short night's work.

"I would have had no problem going to Russia to fight Ibragimov," he said.

"I was looking forward to beating him up in front of his family and friends.

"I am a big puncher, that's what I do," said the 35-year-old, whose 48-4 record includes 42 knockouts.

The unbeaten 32-year-old Ibragimov, who has 20 wins and no losses and won silver at the 2000 Olympics, is looking to complete a monopoly in the heavyweight division for Eastern European-born fighters.

Oleg Maskaev (Russia), Ruslan Chagaev (Uzbekistan) and Vladimir Klitschko (Ukraine) currently hold the WBC, WBA and IBF titles.

"American champions are not so hungry," left-hander Ibragimov said. "I think Briggs is soft."