Russia's Sultan Ibragimov easily outpointed Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs for the WBO title on Saturday.
Ibragimov's quick left hands dominated the listless Briggs to earn a 12-round decision.
"Tonight I will go to sleep as champion and will wake up as champion and we'll see what happens after that," the 32-year-old Ibragimov said.
What happened for Briggs was simple: Nothing.
Briggs, 35, pawed and postured, rarely throwing anything dangerous. His performance made his win over Sergei Liakhovich last Nov. 4 for the crown look like a fluke -- Briggs scored a last-minute knockout when he was well behind.
There would be no such heroics this time. Ibragimov swept the scorecards, then leaped in the air in the ring when the decision was announced.
"Shannon was a very tough guy," Ibragimov said charitably. "I had to be real careful, I had to respect Briggs' power. I didn't like that kind of fight and I don't like to fight like that."
Members of former Soviet republics now hold all four heavyweight belts.
Ibragimov joined Ukraine's Wladimir Klitschko (IBF), Kazakstan's Oleg Maskaev (WBC) and Ruslan Chageav of Uzbekistan (WBA) as heavyweight champions.
Ibragimov won a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics. But to get the heavyweight gold as a pro, he had to wait three extra months. Originally, Ibragimov (19-0-1) was to fight Briggs (48-5-1) on March 10 in New York. But Briggs contracted pneumonia -- he also suffers from asthma -- and the fight was postponed.
Instead, Ibragimov knocked out Javier Mora in 46 seconds back in March and he pretty much toyed with the uninspired Briggs on Saturday night.
Briggs said he was forced to fight.
"They threatened me," he said, not identifying who did the threatening. "I really didn't want to fight and they threatened if I pulled out they would sue me and they would have stripped me."
So he got into the ring, but he barely fought.
Judge Lynn Carter scored it 119-109, while Luis Rivera had it 115-113 and Donald Trella scored it 117-111.
The Associated Press scored it 119-109.
While Ibragimov carried the action, he ended Briggs' 12-bout winning streak.
Briggs said he wasn't prepared for the fight.
"I had to do what I had to do," said Briggs, who added he doesn't plan to retire. "I was hurting, you know what I am saying?"
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