WBO Heavyweight Champion Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs has released the following statement in response to today's press release from mandatory challenger Sultan Ibragimov's camp that claimed, among other things, Briggs was “running” from him.

As for running from Iggy, that's a joke! I'm from Brownsville, never ran and never will! I got nothing against Iggy but he's in way over his head and he's gonna get hurt. I hope this billionaire backer of his set Iggy up with a pension plan because on June 3, he's going to be looking for a new source of income.”

This is not the first time Ibragimov’s people have chosen to throw public insults at Briggs…a fact that Briggs vows will only result in further pain for their man. “They aren't showing me the respect you should show a world champion and taking shots at me while I was suffering from pneumonia was classless. Then again Leon and Samson never did have any class."

It was announced today that Briggs will defend against Ibragimov on June 2 in Moscow, Russia. "I'm the Heavyweight Champion of the whole world, so it doesn't matter where I defend the title!” he growled.