News of a Shannon Briggs failed test filtered through recently ahead of his proposed heavyweight title fight.

Briggs was due to compete with Fres Oquendo for the WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight strap early next month to mark a potentially famous comeback in a career that saw the former world champion down and out a few years ago.

Only to return to form and fitness in recent times.

However a report from Dan Rafael’s ESPN claiming Briggs had failed a VADA doping test has now unfortunately be confirmed by the World Boxing Association themselves on their official website:

Of course the above is pending the B sample results – but the initial A sample for elevated levels of testosterone has now been confirmed.

Briggs had put together a good run of wins over the last couple of years including quite a few knockouts, as well as drumming up massive publicity around himself with his positively popular social media videos and catchphrase ‘Lets Go Champ’.

Briggs last competed in May of 2016 when he knocked out Emilio Ezequiel Zarate at the O2 Arena in London, UK.

Before that he had 8 wins on the trot to bring his current streak to 9 fights won in a row since losing to Vitali Klitschko back in October 2010 in Germany via unanimous decision.

Shannon Briggs’ current professional boxing record stands at 60-6-1 (53KO).