The biggest name in action during the night was former world champion Shannon Briggs (54-6-1-1, 48) who scored yet another opening round KO to as he took out the happless Matthew Greer (16-13, 13) in just 23 seconds. The bout, Briggs's third of the year, was a pointless mismatch though it did see Briggs coming in at a very impressive 248lbs, his lowest weight in more than a decade. Unfortunately however it seems likely that Briggs is going to cut through low tier guys until he gets another world title fight, rather than actually earning an opportunity by beating contenders.
Whilst Briggs things he belongs at the top there was one man in action who seems set to climb to the top in the next year or two. That was Mexican-American Andy Ruiz Jr (22-0, 16) who made surprisingly light work of Manuel Quezada (29-9, 18). Quezada isn't a great fighter andhe had lost his previous 4 but Ruiz did a sensational job on him, stopping Quezada in just 2 rounds. When you consider Chris Arreola and Steve Cunningham couldn't stop Quezada you can't help but be impressed by Ruiz who is a very decieving fighter.
On a third US card Dwayne McRae (14-3-0-1, 7) scored a 3rd round TKO over the limited Zeferino Albino (4-20-3, 2) and Jed Phipps (19-8, 11) was taken the 4 round distance en route to winning a decision over Ariel Espinas (8-24-3, 4).
One more US card saw the hard hitting Natu Visinia (10-0, 8) taken 6 rounds by the tough Jon Bolden (6-9, 5).
If we agree that Briggs is technically the biggest name then the most relevant name was that of the talented and very likable "Fast" Eddie Chambers (39-4, 21) who scored a straight forward win over Britain's Carl Baker (10-8, 7). Chambers, fightign in the UK once again, looked great though he was fighting a very poor opponent and questions need to be asked about how good chambers will be when he steps back up a level rather than fights journeymen. His talentis being honed by Peter Fury though few can really tell what improvements Chambers is making under Fury with this level of competition.
Amongst the other fights in the UK was the next stage in the dreadful career capitulation of former British Cruiserweight champion Shane McPhilbin (8-9-1, 5) who now has more losses than wins. McPhilbin suffered his 7th loss in 8 bouts as he got himself disqualified against domestic journeyman Paul Butlin (16-20, 3). McPhilbin, best known for his shock KO over Leon Williams and his close defeat at the hands of Enzo Maccarinelli, surely has to walk away from the sport now before disgracing himself and the British title any further.
In what looks to have been a major upset the previously un beaten AJ Carter (6-1, 4) was stopped in 2 rounds by Ugandan Kenneth Odeke (5-1, 5). The 21 year old Odeke is known as "Bad News" and this bout was certainly bad news to Carter and his team who would have expected this to have been another safe step up in class.
For those wondering about the contest between Chauncy Welliver and Hassan Chitsaz we've been informed that Chitsaz failed to turn up at the weigh in or the fight venue effective avoiding the fight at the last minute. We'll admit we've not had this confirmed but the rumour is a very strong one