Shannon Briggs admits to Rita Cosby that he took a banned substance before cancelled Oquendo fight

During an interview with veteran journalist Rita Cosby, former WBO heavyweight titlist Shannon Briggs stated he used a banned substance prior to his cancelled WBA ‘regular title’ meeting vs. Fres Oquendo.

While sounding off on Thursday, Briggs offered additional insight concerning Wladimir Klitschko’s retirement, Mayweather v McGregor, and more. Highlighted quotes from Briggs’ appearance on The Rita Cosby Show, which can be heard in its entirety below, include:

Briggs concerning his failed May 14 VADA doping-test which placed his testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio at nearly 8-to-1 —two times higher than the allowed limit.

“I did take a performance enhancement thing (substance). I do apologize for those who feel that I hurt them. I will admit to that. Yes, I did. I take full responsibility for what I did.”

Though, Briggs claims he was given the unspecified PED by a camp member for asthma relief:

“A trainer brought it into my life, and [I was] taking advice from trainers. Again, like I said, the responsibility is all mine. I’m an asthmatic. I was born an asthmatic and again, I’m taking things to possibly enhance my breathing, which is wrong.

Now serving a retroactive six-month suspension for his failed test, the 44-year-old professes to be clean and training for a late 2017 in-ring return:

“What’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong. I’m back, I’m feeling great, I’m looking forward to becoming heavyweight champion and proving to the world that although I’m asthmatic, with or without something to help me, I’m the best ever.”

Briggs (60-6-1 52 KO) has won nine-consecutive outings since dropping a 2010 WBC world title bout to Vitali Klitschko.

The 25-year professional campaigner is best known for his disputed 1997 linear-crown victory over George Foreman, and a 2006 stoppage of Siarhei Liakovich —the latter netting Briggs WBO championship honors.

BLH would like to thank 77 WABC Radio for granting access to Shannon Briggs’ latest media appearance.