Look I know you have heard this from me before and despite what you think about Byrd's style,I hear what some of you guys say, he's boring, he slaps, he has no power, etc.

Now lets look at some of Byrd's underappreciated aspects which most Byrd haters tend to ignore.

1)The man has one of the best defenses ever seen at HW, in any era.
2)His quick hands and superior boxing ability are head and shoulders above anybody else in the division.
3)He isn't afraid of anybody and will fight anyone,anywhere,anytime, despite his size.
4) The man is a blown up middleweight who competes with natural far bigger men and usually wins.
5) He has a tremendous chin
6) He has trmendous heart
7) He conducts himself in a classy manner, and represents the sport well.

Now before you say "Shut up CITA, this is the same old story we hear from you..." Lets be realistic, I pride myself on being a proud Byrd fan but I'm also realistic. I call a spade a spade. And the Byrd naysayers should do the same.

Look I know you have heard this from me before and despite what you think about Byrd's style,I hear what some of you guys say, he's boring, he slaps, he has no power, etc.

Now lets look at some of Byrd's underappreciated aspects which most Byrd haters tend to ignore.

1)The man has one of the best defenses ever seen at HW, in any era.
2)His quick hands and superior boxing ability are head and shoulders above anybody else in the division.
3)He isn't afraid of anybody and will fight anyone,anywhere,anytime, despite his size.
4) The man is a blown up middleweight who competes with natural far bigger men and usually wins.
5) He has a tremendous chin
6) He has trmendous heart
7) He conducts himself in a classy manner, and represents the sport well.

Now before you say "Shut up CITA, this is the same old story we hear from you..." Lets be realistic, I pride myself on being a proud Byrd fan but I'm also realistic. I call a spade a spade. And the Byrd naysayers should do the same.


i dont like him at all, but i definently respect his skills. just to get it out of the way before someone a little more hostile than myself does it: he lost his last 2 bouts while getting the decision. he will have no trouble at all with wack ass Mccline though.

Look I know you have heard this from me before and despite what you think about Byrd's style,I hear what some of you guys say, he's boring, he slaps, he has no power, etc.

Now lets look at some of Byrd's underappreciated aspects which most Byrd haters tend to ignore.

1)The man has one of the best defenses ever seen at HW, in any era.
2)His quick hands and superior boxing ability are head and shoulders above anybody else in the division.
3)He isn't afraid of anybody and will fight anyone,anywhere,anytime, despite his size.
4) The man is a blown up middleweight who competes with natural far bigger men and usually wins.
5) He has a tremendous chin
6) He has trmendous heart
7) He conducts himself in a classy manner, and represents the sport well.

Now before you say "Shut up CITA, this is the same old story we hear from you..." Lets be realistic, I pride myself on being a proud Byrd fan but I'm also realistic. I call a spade a spade. And the Byrd naysayers should do the same.

If #3 is really true, shouldn't he be avenging his loss to Wladimir.

If he shuts up Mccline, I'll give him props.

If #3 is really true, shouldn't he be avenging his loss to Wladimir.

Shouldn't Wlad be avenging his losses to Purity, Sanders and Brewster? before his fans start talking ****.

Shouldn't Wlad be avenging his losses to Purity, Sanders and Brewster? before his fans start talking ****.

Actually he has been trying to get the rematches but he keeps getting turned down because they realize that they got lucky. Grow up you big baby. Do you want your bottle?

If #3 is really true, shouldn't he be avenging his loss to Wladimir.

Wlad would do nothing for him now, Wlad is out of contention, why would he want ot fight Wlad when he could try and unify? You cannot seriously be suggesting that #3 is untrue. Byrd went over to friggin Germany to fight both Wlad and Vitali, and took the Vitali fight on a week's notice.

Everybody wants to avenge there losses, it ain't about being afraid its about being smart and fighting guys who can do things for you in your career. Wlad can't really o much for Byrd at this point.

The old Wlad would beat Byrd again, but the old Wlad is gone, so I think that Byrd could have a much better chance at beating Wlad now.

He'll have his hands full against McCline, but if he can get past him and then have a unification bout, Bryd will get more respect. I agree with much of your list, but Byrd's lack of punching power and savieness keeps him from getting tons of fans. But in all reality he is as good a heavyweight as there is right now.

Actually he has been trying to get the rematches but he keeps getting turned down because they realize that they got lucky. Grow up you big baby. Do you want your bottle?

Sanders got lucky? How did he get lucky?

Actually he has been trying to get the rematches but he keeps getting turned down because they realize that they got lucky. Grow up you big baby. Do you want your bottle?

Oh riiight. He's never even made an attempt to rematch any of them

You keep telling yourself that

Sanders got lucky? How did he get lucky?

Because he caught him with a good punch and he never recovered. And not to mention how horrible his defense was during that fight. If he is so confident, shouldn't he have accepted the rematch.

Oh riiight. He's never even made an attempt to rematch any of them

You keep telling yourself that

You didn't answer my question. Maybe the bottle will actually shut you up.

http://ps2.sportsline.com/boxing/story/7189994

Because he caught him with a good punch and he never recovered. And not to mention how horrible his defense was during that fight. If he is so confident, shouldn't he have accepted the rematch.


Yeah I could see how Sanders wouldn't have wanted a rematch. I mean he just had such a hard time with Wlad the first time why would he want to do it again.


And not to mention how horrible his defense was during that fight.

Your opponent having bad defense does not mean you got lucky it means your opponent is not that good

Because he caught him with a good punch and he never recovered. And not to mention how horrible his defense was during that fight. If he is so confident, shouldn't he have accepted the rematch.

Like I said Wlad won't do anything for Byrd. When was there ever a propsed rematch put on the table from either side?

I agree, Byrd has always stated he wanted rematches with both Klitsckos, as for losing his last two fights. Yes, Golota beat him but Oquendo didn`t as he tried to steal the title with negative tactics.
Byrd is very good at what he does and no one wants to fight him.
Evander did and paid for it, and McCline most likely will lose.
Vitali will avoid Byrd as long as he can and Wladmir?? He has no heart. His cihn is solid but his heart gives way. Maybe thats what we need, Chris byrd punching Wladmir on the chin, hitting his heart and scoring a KO! Wladmir is a disgrace and should retire from Boxing.
As for byrd, he should angle for a rematch with Vitali, why not, he he beats him again, he becomes best heavyweight on the planet!

http://ps2.sportsline.com/boxing/story/7189994

you actually tried to post this to boost your argument!!

it hurts you more than it helps you

"It's not if I win, it's when I win," Sanders said. "(Wladimir) wants to fight me again. I would love to fight him again."

did you not read the part where Sanders said "I would love to fight him again"

yeah it really sounds like he's the one who didn't want the rematch huh.

Because he caught him with a good punch and he never recovered. And not to mention how horrible his defense was during that fight. If he is so confident, shouldn't he have accepted the rematch.

If you think thats luck than you don't know much about boxing.Look you said he got hit with a good punch, how the heck is that luck? Sanders KOed Wlad period. End of story, you even try to make excuses for the most legit Wlad loss. The other losses I can somewhat understand, but the Sanders loss, please.

This is why people hate on Wlad because of fans like you, you think Wlad can do no wrong.

I have never made any beef about Byrd's losses but the Wlad fans always find a way.

you actually tried to post this to boost your argument!!

it hurts you more than it helps you

"It's not if I win, it's when I win," Sanders said. "(Wladimir) wants to fight me again. I would love to fight him again."

did you not read the part where Sanders said "I would love to fight him again"

yeah it really sounds like he's the one who didn't want the rematch huh.
You didn't read the whole article. He said he would only fight him again if he beat Vitali which he didn't, so there isn't going to be a rematch. You really need to go back to Reading 101.

If you think thats luck than you don't know much about boxing.Look you said he got hit with a good punch, how the heck is that luck? Sanders KOed Wlad period. End of story, you even try to make excuses for the most legit Wlad loss. The other losses I can somewhat understand, but the Sanders loss, please.

This is why people hate on Wlad because of fans like you, you think Wlad can do no wrong.

I have never made any beef about Byrd's losses but the Wlad fans always find a way.

He had poison on his gloves.

If you think thats luck than you don't know much about boxing.Look you said he got hit with a good punch, how the heck is that luck? Sanders KOed Wlad period. End of story, you even try to make excuses for the most legit Wlad loss. The other losses I can somewhat understand, but the Sanders loss, please.

This is why people hate on Wlad because of fans like you, you think Wlad can do no wrong.

I have never made any beef about Byrd's losses but the Wlad fans always find a way.


Of course thsi dude doesn't know a thing about boxing. Check out the Old Heavyweights vs New Heavyweights thread. He actually claims Kostya Tszyu would beat Sugar Ray Robinson.

He had poison on his gloves.


What are you talking about? You need to just keep quiet because your discrediting yourself and your fighter. I'm really starting to question your boxing knowledge.

What are you talking about? You need to just keep quiet because your discrediting yourself and your fighter. I'm really starting to question your boxing knowledge.


your just catching on?

What are you talking about? You need to just keep quiet because your discrediting yourself and your fighter. I'm really starting to question your boxing knowledge.

Its called a joke.

your just catching on?

Nice to see you finished reading the article. How is your head doing. You should probably take some Tylenol.

Of course thsi dude doesn't know a thing about boxing. Check out the Old Heavyweights vs New Heavyweights thread. He actually claims Kostya Tszyu would beat Sugar Ray Robinson.


Tszyu beating Robinson,HA! Thats really funny, if I hadn't seen any of his other posts I would have thought he was joking. But it is clear as day this person doesn't know boxing.

Hey Neuraxis, come back to boxingscene when you learn a little about boxing.

BYRD sucks. yes he might have a good defense but watch just one of his fights and u will see him complain at least 20 times. my prime example would have to be Ibeabuchi Vs. Byrd

Tszyu beating Robinson,HA! Thats really funny, if I hadn't seen any of his other posts I would have thought he was joking. But it is clear as day this person doesn't know boxing.

Hey Neuraxis, come back to boxingscene when you learn a little about boxing.

Or you could come back when you actually knew something about the evolution of sports.

give up Neuraxis u made a stupid remark and now ur paying for it

give up Neuraxis u made a stupid remark and now ur paying for it

Which remark was that.

Or you could come back when you actually knew something about the evolution of sports.

Yeah so if Robinson had all the modern advantages that todays fighters have he still couldn't beat KT, give me a friggin break. He would beat him, regardless. If your comparing old and new you have to equalize it by giving the old timers the advantage of having todays training and nutrition techniques.

Yeah so if Robinson had all the modern advantages that todays fighters have he still couldn't beat KT, give me a friggin break. He would beat him, regardless. If your comparing old and new you have to equalize it by giving the old timers the advantage of having todays training and nutrition techniques.

Thats not the way the question was worded man. Oh course he would beat him if he had modern advantages, but without them he loses.

Thats not the way the question was worded man. Oh course he would beat him if he had modern advantages, but without them he loses.

Again your boxing ignorance shines through! Congratulations you don't know boxing!

Again your boxing ignorance shines through! Congratulations you don't know boxing!

No give me a break. There was a big argument in another thread that new fighters don't have any advantages over old fighters in training and preparation for fights. If you think they don't then you are a dunce as well.

I used to like Byrd a lot. Now I am confused, since whenever I think of Byrd, I actually think of this forum and of CITA. CITA had mercilessly attacked Wlad a-la RJJ, which Byrd had actually never done. I respect Byrd becasuse he is not like RJJ.

I used to like Byrd a lot. Now I am confused, since whenever I think of Byrd, I actually think of this forum and of CITA. CITA had mercilessly attacked Wlad a-la RJJ, which Byrd had actually never done. I respect Byrd becasuse he is not like RJJ.

I am beginning to think that way as well. Too bad him and Jose retreated into the hills when they realized that they were wrong. Oh well...

My favorite fight involving Chris Byrd was around '96 or '97, when he fought Tim Puller " the hebrew hammer" Puller was an arrogant m.f.er, before the fight he held up a stuffed tweety bird and said, " This is chris byrd," and he punched it across the room. Well, there was a knockout in that fight, i think in the 3rd or 4th round, but it was Puller on the canvas, KTFO'd. Byrd was my favorite heavyweight for a couple of years after that, he's definitely more talented than 99% of the heavyweights out there. i mean we should give the guy props for his huge heart, he's a small heavyweight who fights these huge monsters and beats most of them

Actually he has been trying to get the rematches but he keeps getting turned down because they realize that they got lucky. Grow up you big baby. Do you want your bottle?
Yeah, they all got lucky. All THREE of them.

Luck is winning the lottery. That happens once in a lieftime.

Wlad has been owned and KTFOd three times by mediocre fighters.

He lost to Purrity, Sanders and Brewster. Not Louis, Marciano and Ali.

I don't mind Byrd so much. I hate his style and the fact that he doesn't hit hard, but the man has serious skills. I don't think he's head and shoulders above all other HW's in terms of skill as Wlad is a more skilled offensive fighter...and Toney is just as defensively sound, just as slick, and is better offensively IMO. I hope Byrd attempts to unify in the near future here.

No give me a break. There was a big argument in another thread that new fighters don't have any advantages over old fighters in training and preparation for fights. If you think they don't then you are a dunce as well.

Where are these advantages? What fighter today could fight 5/6/7/8 times a year for 15 rounds and even function two or three years down the line?

Where are these advantages? What fighter today could fight 5/6/7/8 times a year for 15 rounds and even function two or three years down the line?

You guys make it sound like people are getting less and less athletic. How about weight training, nuitrition, being able to study the opposition on tape, and so on and so on. Not to mention how much bigger the modern day heavyweight is compared to those 50 years ago. Willie Mays was asked who was better baseball players of the past or of the present. And he said that the present day ball players were better because of all of the ADVANTAGES they have.

All I'm saying is that they don't seem to help that much. Athletes these days are bigger/stronger/faster...this is true. But what old athletes lack in that department they make up for in toughness and heart. I don't think boxers of today are better conditioned...more athletic and physically gifted yes.

Willie Mays may have been the best baseball player to play the game (arguably, but he was a stud on both sides of the ball).

Its a lot easier to be tougher when you are getting pounded by people who weigh 200 lbs as compared to 240 lbs. But you may still be right about heart and toughness, but I'm not sure if that would be enough to beat some who weighs 40 pounds than you.

HEY! This thread isn't about the old time fighters vs. the new ones this about the under appreciation of Chris "Rapid Fire" Byrd.

hey! its cris byrd, not christ byrd.. you got it wrong.

Where are these advantages? What fighter today could fight 5/6/7/8 times a year for 15 rounds and even function two or three years down the line?
Exactly. Fighters are so much easier on their bodies today, there's hardly a comparison. I mean, the busiest titlist in the world had five fights this year. That was Pongsaklek Wonjongkam. Oscar Larios has one more fight scheduled for this year, but I can't remember if it's his fifth or his fourth. And neither of these guys are really stars. The busy pound ofr pounder, Erik Morales, will have had three fights by the end of the year. I mean, I'm not saying that these fighters are inactive, not by any means, but I am saying that the vast majority of upper echelon boxers were far less active than this. It's absurd, really. Remember when Lewis didn't defend for the longest time? Thank God Vitali doesn't seem to be going that route.

Anyway, I sort of tangentialized there, but getting back to the point, computerized diets and robotic trainers are not really part of the game. The foundation for almost everyone's training regimen is still the jumprope, the ring, and punching bags. Really, a lot of people overestimate exactly how much training has changed over the past fifty or so years. The fact of the matter is, most of it is the same. Remember Tyson in his younger years? He trained the same way Jack Dempsey did. Again, I've sort of lost my point in all this writing, but bottom line for me is this: the fighters of today do not train harder, do fight less often, and generally rely more on their physical gifts than the fighters of the past.

All I'm saying is that they don't seem to help that much. Athletes these days are bigger/stronger/faster...this is true. But what old athletes lack in that department they make up for in toughness and heart. I don't think boxers of today are better conditioned...more athletic and physically gifted yes.
Wait a minute. You're seriously trying to tell me hat the heavyweights of today have an advantage over guys like Joe Louis, Ezzard Charles, Rocky Marciano, and other great old school fighters because they're...bigger? And exactly how are they more physically gifted? Please. I'm willing to bet money that at some point both you and Neuraxis have called this era's heavyweights the least talented group ever. If I had enough time, I bet I could find a quote. Oh, and talking about big heavyweights, I'm pretty sure Joe Louis didn't find it that hard to knock out Buddy Baer in one round despite the fact that he was outweighed by 44 pounds. Sure, in general, heavyweigts today are bigger. I think that's only because of the cruiserweight division, but whatever, my point is, almost every great heavyweight has been about 215 or less. Wanna argue that? Anyone? Cuz I will i you want, but you'll find yourself proven wrong in the end.

ps. Byrd is underappreciated.

Wait a minute. You're seriously trying to tell me hat the heavyweights of today have an advantage over guys like Joe Louis, Ezzard Charles, Rocky Marciano, and other great old school fighters because they're...bigger? And exactly how are they more physically gifted? Please. I'm willing to bet money that at some point both you and Neuraxis have called this era's heavyweights the least talented group ever. If I had enough time, I bet I could find a quote. Oh, and talking about big heavyweights, I'm pretty sure Joe Louis didn't find it that hard to knock out Buddy Baer in one round despite the fact that he was outweighed by 44 pounds. Sure, in general, heavyweigts today are bigger. I think that's only because of the cruiserweight division, but whatever, my point is, almost every great heavyweight has been about 215 or less. Wanna argue that? Anyone? Cuz I will i you want, but you'll find yourself proven wrong in the end.

ps. Byrd is underappreciated.

I'm actually arguing in favor of the old HW's but whatever. It's a fact that athletes in general are bigger, stronger and faster however.

I already posted my opinion on Byrd sorry CITA the thread just kinda flowed in a strange direction courtesy of Neuraxis.

just saw byrd and vitali..

christ "bilbo" byrd

My personal position is that I cannot stand to watch Byrd fight. It is a miserable experience. An evening at the fights where Byrd is on the card finds a fan watching him slap opponents, yell "WHOOOOO!" 400 times every fight like he is mildly retarded, and spend the other half the fight shaking his head at opponents.

If he does get beat, he is in constant denial (although is not alone in that one), never giving an opponent props. After getting his ass whipped (albiet closely in the Golota fight, NOT close in Oquendo fight) in his last two fights, he has acknowledged his opponents were "tough."

I will say this in closing, although Byrd is absolutely UNBEARABLE to watch (WHOOOOO!!), he is more entertaining than the John "The Tumor of Boxing" Ruiz-Louise.

I have no interest in Chris Byrd.


His fights are boring.....the novelty of seeing a ONCE smaller fighter clown a bunch of lummoxes has worn off.

I'm tired of when he does lose, it's because "he's not really a heavyweight".
Got news for you, he's been a heavyweight for about a DECADE now. He IS indeed a heavyweight.

His fans talk about how awesome he'd have been at 168, or so.....bull****.
He'd just be veryy good down there. His boxing skills would not be nearly as effective against the far faster & more skilled smaller guys.


Also.....watching him make those "I'm just so damn good, I'm bored" faces in there, makes me want to see him get thrashed.

I hate that face too jab...

Ike... Byrd was demolished in five.
Wlad...beat the living **** out of Byrd and he *****ed about something fishy on the gloves.
Vitali-beat the **** out of him then decided to call it a night because of a rotator cuff(byrd was the most surprised guy in the arena that night when he was announced the winner.)
Oquendo...There is no ****ing way Byrd won that fight, ask Byrd he will tell you.
Golota-Just gott done beating, making Byrd 0-2 in his last 2 fights.

I love the fact that Chris Byrd is a big fight fan thats cool, but thats where Byrd's coolness stops. He has been appreciated and now it is time for people to stop overappreciating him. McCline should be ablwew to whip him, which will make him 0-3 in his last three, just what is it about Chris Byrd that says "I wanna see that guy fight." He sucks and his record proves it!

Chris Byrd is a solid heavyweight whos a prime example of what is wrong with todays boxing. First of he shouldnt be a champion or hold a belt. You can argue wether or not he lost his last two outings but he certainly wouldn't be the favourite against Vitali Klitschko or almost any HW champ before him. He is a solid contender, a guy that does well what he does and is always in shape and relieable. He doesnt fight everyone anytime due to his management though. He didnt beat one HW that could be considered as an all time great in his prime. He lost 2 out of 4 (or 2 out of 3 if you dont want to count the fight against Vitali) when fighting a current top HW. He should be in his prime right now or even past it so there's not too much potential left. He makes his living fighting Top20 HWs and beating them in arguable fashion.

If I were Chris Byrd I'd vacate my HW title go down to Cruiserweight and rule the division until the end of my career. He wont be remebered as HW, he's simply not good enough. And that isnt me being harsh, that's my fair and most objective opinion.

Chris Byrd is like Scrappy Doo. Scrappy always wanted to fight the bad guys, but Scooby Doo (Don King) always holds him back so he doesn't get eaten by the monster. Vitali Klitschko is the monster.

I believe come Nov.14th...there will be a push to have the heavyweight division dismantled...& ultimately eliminated.

The four-fight piece of trash from the night before will hopefully convince people that bigger has become worse, in the sport of boxing.

The people have spoken.

WHOOOO!....slap.....slap.....head shake and smirk....WHOOOOO!!!!....slap...head shake and smirk.....

That's a Byrd fight. The guy blows.

Christisnot the answer said: I have never made any beef about Byrd's losses but the Wlad fans always find a way.


.....I seem to recall you jumping on the theory of Wlad having a foreign substance on his gloves way back when uh when uh when he kicked Byrd's ars.

If Ibeabuchi never went to jail would we even be talking about Chris Byrd or the Klitschkos? Vitali is cool though. I'd like to see Byrd and Vitali fight again to set up a fight between Vitali and Wladimir. I know their mom doesn't want them to fight or whatever but I sure do.

Anyways back on subject. I think Byrd is lucky he gets as much respect as he does. He gets more respect than Ruiz even though he doesn't beat his opponents as convincingly

Christisnot the answer said: I have never made any beef about Byrd's losses but the Wlad fans always find a way.


.....I seem to recall you jumping on the theory of Wlad having a foreign substance on his gloves way back when uh when uh when he kicked Byrd's ars.

You recall me saying that? Show some proof before you make accusations. In a recent thread I made the comment of how I didn't think there was anything suspicious regarding the Wlad-Byrd fight. Don't shoot off at the mouth before you realize what your saying.

IMO Chris Byrd is a good boxer, with world class defenses. However, IMO he will never be a good champion until he defends his title by KO.

His slap like a girl style doesn't do it for me.

IMO Chris Byrd is a good boxer, with world class defenses. However, IMO he will never be a good champion until he defends his title by KO.

His slap like a girl style doesn't do it for me.

Good post Torino. These are the kind of posts we need on Boxingscene, opionated yet realistic.

Ive never said he aint got talent, his fast, defensive and has a style that few see the beauty in.
But both wlad and vit would whop him again.
Yes its brave of him too bee with the big boys while not being one.
Hell earn my respect if he fights vit again cause everyone knows their not done with each others.

this thread reminds me of some of the klitschkos hacks on this site who only post about the brothers

i would be interested to see CITA post about other fighters some time just for a little change

this thread reminds me of some of the klitschkos hacks on this site who only post about the brothers

i would be interested to see CITA post about other fighters some time just for a little change

I do post about other fighters, this thread was dead until you brought back up again.

I do post about other fighters, this thread was dead until you brought back up again.

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/misc8.jpg

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/misc8.jpg

:D very funny!

Look I know you have heard this from me before and despite what you think about Byrd's style,I hear what some of you guys say, he's boring, he slaps, he has no power, etc.

Now lets look at some of Byrd's underappreciated aspects which most Byrd haters tend to ignore.

1)The man has one of the best defenses ever seen at HW, in any era.
2)His quick hands and superior boxing ability are head and shoulders above anybody else in the division.
3)He isn't afraid of anybody and will fight anyone,anywhere,anytime, despite his size.
4) The man is a blown up middleweight who competes with natural far bigger men and usually wins.
5) He has a tremendous chin
6) He has trmendous heart
7) He conducts himself in a classy manner, and represents the sport well.

Now before you say "Shut up CITA, this is the same old story we hear from you..." Lets be realistic, I pride myself on being a proud Byrd fan but I'm also realistic. I call a spade a spade. And the Byrd naysayers should do the same.


I have never heard so much rubbish in my life.

one of the best defences in the heavyweight era mmmm.... mabe if by saying one of the best you mean he falls into the top 100 maybe.

Great chin er.... yeah if you think getting dropped twice by Ibeabuchi means you have a good chin....please!

Who has he ever beaten other than Vitali who tor his rotary cuff otherwise he would have spanked Bird, Holyfield who was old enough to be his father and David Tua - over 12 awful rounds of boxing - come on pal.

Byrd is a moderate heavy in possibly the worst era of heavyweight boxing history! The only thing you got right was that he has a good heart and is a real gentleman with an apreciation for the traditions of the sport - he excels in this catagory.

I'd like to add further to my previous posting that going back to the eighties and nineties Byrd would probably not even been a top 15 the likes of (off the top of my head):

James Douglas
Ray Mercer
Frank Bruno
Trevor Berbick
Razor Ruddock
Oliver McCall
Tommy Morrison
Tim Weatherspoon
Brian Nielson
Tony Tucker

probably even Greg Page and Tony Tubbs on their day would have beaten Byrd - he is distinctly average and it just shows how bad the state of heaveywight boxing is right now that he has a belt of any kind!

That fight against McCline is going to be a tough one. I know alot of people think McCline is garbage, but he's tall, and he fights with a boxer-puncher style, uses the jab alot, very similar to the klits. The height alone will be a big hurdle to overcome, it seems the only fighters Byrd has trouble with are the ones with a reach advantage over him. But if he wins, he'll have all of my respect, I respect him anyway for fighting such bigger guys than he is, but it will really be something if he can pull it off.

i don't think McCline is garbage, if he ever gets confidence in his own abilities he'll be a dangerous man, also if he's smart enough to make it an outside fight, and be more effective with the jab he can force Byrd to try and be Joe Frazier, like he had to when he was beat by B level competitor Fast Fres or The big O ( whichever you like better ). McCline could do it, but he won't i really don't think he believes in himself enough to take it to Byrd like he needs to

Chris Bryd is about as appritiated as he should be. Face the facts he does not inspire, the audience, he has never captured my imagination the way a great heavywieght champion should. His last couple fights do not help this perception. He certainly should not be a major PPV fighter, this further marginalizes his popularity as a belt holder. In my view he should be appritiated a little more than John Ruiz, which to be honest isnt saying much.