2/10/07 - Jim Amato THE SAGA OF SERGEI AND LAMON ; " Life Comes At You Fast " By Jim Amato In April of 2006 in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio two heavyweights battled in what I felt was by far the heavyweight fight of the year. The World Boxing Organization's version of the title was up for grabs. Lamon Brewster was defending his title against Sergei Liakhovich. Brewster had come from behind to batter Wladimir Klitschko in five rounds to win the title. Among his defenses was a one round blitz of Andrew Golota. Sergei's claim to fame was an upset decision over then highly regarded Dominick Guinn. Sergei was expected to put up a decent fight but most expected Brewster to win. When the two men met it turned out to be a thrilling twelve round slugfest. There were many shifts in momentum but in the end Liakhovich won the decision and the title. If a fight ever screamed rematch, this was it. Brewster though was injured in the fight and has not been in the ring since although it is rumored that he is ready to make a comeback.With Brewster sidelined Sergei took on veteran contender Shannon Briggs. Years ago Shannon won a very disputed decision over George Foreman. Even though George had been stripped of title recognition he was by rights the lineal champion.George had defeated Michael Moorer who had defeated Evander Holyfield who had lost and then won back the title in bouts with Riddick Bowe. Evander had originally won the title from Buster Douglas who had beaten the " Baddest Man On The Planet " , Mike Tyson to a pulp. By rights Shannon's win over George made him the rightful linear champion. Later Briggs would meet Lennox Lewis. Although Shannon put up a game effort, Lewis took him out in round five. Now years later a bulked up Briggs was meeting the young champion Liakhovich. I have it from reliable sources that Sergei was much less then 100 % physically for this contest. Shannon's was massive but his added bulk took away his greatest assets, hand and foot speed. Briggs was slower then a statue and although Sergei was not on top of his game he still was ahead on points going into the twelfth and final round. Late in the fateful twelfth Briggs caught Sergei and sent him down. When Liakhovich got up Briggs sent him sprawling through the ropes and out of the ring ending the battle and awarding the crown to Briggs. In less then a year from being involved in the fight of the year Lamon and Sergei have fallen into the category of " Where are they now ? ".What is in their futures ? Although Brewster is reportedly ready to come back no date or opponent has been determined to best of knowledge. As for Sergei who is back in training, no viable opponent or decent payday has been offered to this former titleholder. Boxing politics ? Boxing is a shady game that is run by shady people. Either you're in or your out. Right now Sergei appears to be on the outs. It's a shame because in peak condition Liakhovich may be the most talented heavyweight out there and that includes the Klitschko brothers. I'd like to see Brewster matched with someone of stature but not a top guy. Former champions Oliver McCall or Michael Moorer come to mind. These are fighters Lamon should beat but it's no walk in the park. A win would put Lamon back in the heavyweight picture. It would also give McCall and / or Moorer a decent payday to go out on. As for Sergei...Well it depends on what doors will be opened for him. Time will tell but this whole situation justifies the popular saying " Life comes at you fast ". Just ask Lamon and Sergei. 
 BRIAN LONDON By Jim Amato The British produced some quality heavyweights during the 1950's and 60's. Of course " Ol' " Enry ' Cooper comes to mind. There was rugged Joe Erskine and Wales gave us Dick Richardson. Later Billy " The Golden Boy " Walker would emerge. One of the best was Brian London who would twice fight for world title honors. Brian was born in 1934 and turned professional in 1955. He won his first twelve bouts, eleven by knockout before being stopped in one round by Henry Cooper in 1956. Brian bounced back to win eight of his next nine before dropping a decision to the clever Willie Pastrano in 1958. Three months later London would halt Joe Erskine in eight rounds to win the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. He would then stop Pastrano on cuts in a rematch. Brian was now a serious contender for a world title shot. In 1959 he lost his titles by decision to Henry Cooper. Nevertheless he was awarded a shot at Floyd Patterson's heavyweight title.After a valiant effort, Floyd stopped London in eleven rounds. Brian would then be stopped in seven by the dangerous Nino valdes. In 1960 London would halt former Olympic Gold Medalist Pete Rademacher. Later in the year Dick Richardson he stop Brian in his attempt to win the European title. In 1961 the highly rated Eddie Machen kayoed London in ten. In 1962 he dropped a decision to Santo Amonti. In 1963 Brian would lose a twelve round decision to former world champion Ingemar Johansson. It would be Ingo's last fight. In 1964 he again lost a fifteen rounder to Henry Cooper with the European, British and Commonwealth titles on the line. He then lost to up and coming Johnny Prescott but amazingly rebounded to defeat Chip Johnson, Billy Walker and Roger Rischer. In 1966 he dropped a decision to a very talented Thad Spencer. Later in the year Brian received his second shot at immortality when he met Muhammad Ali for the world's title. In one of a young Ali's best performances, he battered Brian in three rounds. Brian continued on. He lost a tough decision to the highly touted Jerry Quarry. He then defeated Zora Folley. In 1968 he suffered damaging kayo losses to Roberto Davilla and Jack Bodell. Although he drew with Henry Clark in 1969 he later lost to Jimmy " The King " Fletcher and was taken out in two in a return bout with Quarry. In 1970 Brian was taken out in five by rising star Joe Bugner and that ended his career. London engaged in 58 professional contests. He won 37 of them, 26 by knockout. He fought four world champions. Ali, Patterson, Johansson and Pastrano. He met six boxers that vied for world title honors in Henry Cooper, Pete Rademacher, Eddie Machen, Jerry Quarry, Zora Folley and Joe Bugner. He also met other top notch guys like Nino Valdes, Thad Spencer and Henry Clark just to name a few. Brian London had a very respectable career career and he did England proud. jimsboxing@zoominternet.net
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