Koval has a chance to rise in rankings

Chris Koval will meet No. 7-ranked Shannon Briggs in New York on Wednesday.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Austintown's Chris "Special K" Koval has to feel like the most special boxer in the heavyweight division.
With titles on the line in three divisions for Wednesday's bout with seventh-ranked Shannon Briggs, a win over "The Cannon" at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom would vault Koval into the top 10 of the world rankings, almost guaranteeing him a big payday against a title holder or top challenger.
"I'm literally one punch away from a title fight. This is definitely a dream come true for me, especially if I can raise my hands in the ring when the fight is over," Koval said recently.
"I realize that I am not good enough just yet to be ranked among the top contenders, but that could change with a victory against Briggs."
Briggs, 34-years-old and a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., is 46-4-1 overall with 40 KOs.
He has won his last 10 bouts and 14 of his last 15 outings either by KO or TKO, dating to November 2002. His lone loss during that span came by unanimous decision to Jameel McCline in a 10-round affair at Madison Square Garden.
Won 12 of last 13 bouts
Koval, 23-2, is ranked 119th in the world. He has won his last three bouts and 12 of his last 13 encounters with his lone loss coming last March at the hands of top contender Alexander Dimitrenko in Kuppersteg, Germany.
That fight was for the International Boxing Federation Youth Heavyweight crown.
With and a combined 58 between the two boxers, something has to give in the ring Wednesday night.
"It's not everyday that a fighter gets a chance like this, so I want to make the most of my opportunity," Koval said. "He's a boxer-puncher so I won't stand around hoping for something to happen. He packs a tremendous punch and has incredibly fast hands, but gets away from boxing at times.
"He has big, heavy hands and likes to throw that big, overhand right. I honestly feel like I can out-box him or just fight with him. Hopefully, I won't let him slug me."
Three titles at stake
The three titles on the line are the United States Boxing Association, North American Boxing Organization and North American Boxing Association.
The USBA is affiliated with the IBF, the NABO with the World Boxing Organization and the NABA with the World Boxing Association.
"Briggs is ranked in the top five of the three organizations, and with a win over a top-10 opponent and three regional belts at stake, Chris can find himself ranked in the top-10 across the board," said Pat Nelson, Koval's manager for the past 3 1/2 years.
"The last fighters with Chris' characteristics to achieve that level were Joe Mesi, Tommy Morrison and Gerry Cooney.
"The last heavyweight champion with Chris' characteristics was Rocky Marciano, a title holder over 50 years ago. This is just the next step for Chris in his progression as a professional fighter."
Koval, a three-time K.O. Drugs heavyweight champion (he was undefeated in 12 bouts from 1999-2001), feels like he is in great shape for his upcoming fight, averaging 20-30 miles of road work a week while sparring and working extensively in the gym with trainer Tom Cordell.
Will spar with Brock
He left Sunday for New York and will spar with Calvin Brock of Washington, Pa. (a heavyweight who at No. 4 in the world is ranked higher than Briggs).
"This is exactly what I need prior to the fight," Koval said.
At 12 years Briggs' junior, the stage is set for Koval. It is up to him to take advantage of the situation if he expects to cash in on the opportunity.
He is expected to weight in at 260 pounds, but said his weight is not a concern.
"We didn't focus on my weight, focusing instead on the weight at which I am most comfortable fighting," Koval said.
"He has a win over heavyweight champion George Foreman to his credit and with the punching power that he has, I will need to catch him early or take him in the later rounds.
"With our track records, I doubt that the fight will last the scheduled 12 rounds."
Win may open opportunity
With a win, the Koval camp should expect to be considered for a fight with top heavyweight contenders Wladimir Klitschko of the IBF, Nikolay Valuev of the WBA or Serguei Lyakhovich of the WBO.
Brock, Samuel Peter and Dimitrenko are the top contenders that might want to book Koval as well.
"If I am ranked in the top 10, why wouldn't they want to fight me?" said Koval. "I need to get there, however, and this is the fight that can help me achieve my goal."
Time of the bout is tentatively scheduled for 10 p.m.