Shannon, who had a white mother and black father, started fighting in the streets as a young boy in Seattle's predominantly black Central District where he found kids who would start fights with him because he was white.

He later moved to Lynnwood, Washington, where he continued to get into fights, this time with white kids who fought him because he was black.

[2] He also qualified for the Olympics in 1984 at 119 pounds, but was eliminated in the third bout against Sung-Kil Moon of South Korea.

Shannon turned professional in 1984 and was undefeated in his first 15 fights before losing a split decision to future champion Greg Richardson in 1986.

The following year Shannon lost to future champ Jose Sanabria and his career began to slide.