Shannon Briggs Brings In Southpaw Specialist John David Jackson For Ibragimov; Panama In Too?

05.01.07 - By MICHAEL MARLEY, boxingconfidential.com: WBO heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs is like a patient who does not go to general practitioners. He seeks out specialists and that's just what Mr. Briggs has done in obtaining the select services of former WBA middleweight champion John David Jackson as one of his trainers for the March 10 title defense against Sultan Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden. (There will be an MSG press conference next week to formally announce the title bout)..

Why the 43-year-old Jackson, who finished his ring career at 36-4 with 20 KOs (two losses to 100-plus bout warrior Jorge "Locomotora" Castro and one to Bernard Hopkins)? Because Jackson is a southpaw and so is Ibragimov.

"An exquisite choice," a source close to Jackson told boxingconfidential.com. "John David was a stylist but also a good puncher. If it takes one to know one, Briggs could not have dialed in a guy who is more fluent in how southpaws fight. Jackson should do well in the Briggs camp."

Trainer Chuck McGregor, former trainer of Sergei Liakhovich and who was instrumental in Briggs' last round, last second title-winning KO over the "White Wolf" Nov. 4 in Phoneix remains an integral part of Team Briggs.

Meanwhile, there is rising speculation that Team Briggs may expand to include controversial Carlos "Panama" Lewis. Lewis trained Iggy for several bouts before being fired in the wake of the 12-round draw against Ray Austin.

Briggs continues to train in the Ft. Lauderdale area where he has a home.

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