Shannon Briggs is planning a fight with Tyson Fury in the future, claiming he can give the champion a "run for his money".
Fury previously announced his retirement from the sport having defeated Dillian Whyte in his 'final' outing back in April. However, he immediately backtracked by suggesting he could be tempted back into the ring in an exhibition format, which includes a possible crossover bout with UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
Former heavyweight champion Briggs has confirmed he plans to return to the ring on August 6 and hopes to get himself back in world title contention within a year or two. "I will be returning to the ring soon, hopefully on August 6, so it will be the return of the champ," Briggs told iFL TV. "We are going to figure it out. We are looking at names and step by step we will be getting back and I will look for the heavyweight champion of the world real soon.
"Tyson's timing is perfect he stays in shape and is doing great. He is on a roll right now and hopefully in one or two years I can get myself back in contention and give him a run for his money. Nobody wants to fight me, they are scared. Everyone keeps talking about exhibitions but I will knock them all off."
Briggs has not fought since 2016, when he defeated Emilio Ezequiel Zarate before announcing his retirement from the sport. However, the American star is eyeing a return to the ring and was previously touted to face former MMA fighter Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson. He returned to sparring in anticipation for the fight but plans have since gone quiet.
Meanwhile, Fury has stated that he has competed in the ring for the last time following his second successive title defence. However, it appears likely that the champion will continue fighting, particularly if long-term rival Anthony Joshua defeats Oleksandr Usyk to set up an undisputed title clash.
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Fury's wife, Paris, and father, John, have each indicated on previous occasions that Fury wants to settle his rivalry with Joshua before the end of his career. Joshua believes that Fury will come out of retirement to take their fight because the pair previously made a gentleman's agreement.
"If Fury would honour the boxer's agreement and come out of retirement because ultimately what is at my core it is about the money," Joshua said during a Q&A with the Oxford Union. "If Fury will come out and honour the gentleman's agreement there is a lot of money to be made.
"The money could help a lot of people as well. Firstly I have a tough pound-for-pound fighter on my list in Usyk who is a tough competitor for sure. Also, I want to look at the bigger picture holds so I can steamroll through what I have to do to look at the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."
