Do you view him in the same light, or do you have more respect for him?

I think this guy has incredible courage which is only matched by his incredible skills and IMO is still not appreciated for what he truly is and what he has accomplished.

same respect, but he needs to fight Golota again and 0quendo

i thought the fight was over early but he battled back and got a close decision. ill give him props for that but i still thought big time pulled it out. i would like to see byrd fight rahman next or ruiz. i think byrd beats ruiz but loses to rahman.

I enjoy watching Chris Byrd and even though he doesn't knock people out like the general public likes to see, I think he is a tremendous role model and great for the sport. McCline was definately a game fighter last night and Byrd took his heat and wore him down. Byrd definately deserves a shot to unify the titles against Ruiz or Vitali but it is highly unlikely Don King would make that happen.

Don't you get overexcited CITA. You remember how McCline fought in his last big fight? Though I have to admit that one has to respect Byrds courage he showed that he's getting slower and older. He still has no punch and is nothing more than a decent HW - far from outstanding. He lost at least 2 of his last 3 outings and he only won a SD against a guy who knocked him down in the 2nd. This doesn't read very impressive does it?

Don't you get overexcited CITA. You remember how McCline fought in his last big fight? Though I have to admit that one has to respect Byrds courage he showed that he's getting slower and older. He still has no punch and is nothing more than a decent HW - far from outstanding. He lost at least 2 of his last 3 outings and he only won a SD against a guy who knocked him down in the 2nd. This doesn't read very impressive does it?

Ah man, dont pee on his parade.....let him be happy about this win ;)

Do you view him in the same light, or do you have more respect for him?

I think this guy has incredible courage which is only matched by his incredible skills and IMO is still not appreciated for what he truly is and what he has accomplished.


Gotta respect a guy who gives up 50lbs and can still win.

He beat a guy he was favored to beat and finally got a legitimate win in his last three fights. Whoopidy doo!!!!!

Do you view him in the same light, or do you have more respect for him?

I think this guy has incredible courage which is only matched by his incredible skills and IMO is still not appreciated for what he truly is and what he has accomplished.

Well, I'm happy for you. You've taken alot of flack for liking the guy and even though I didnt see the fight (yet) I'm glad for you that he won. You should be happy about it too; any of us would be happy if our guy won ;)

Do you view him in the same light, or do you have more respect for him?

I think this guy has incredible courage which is only matched by his incredible skills and IMO is still not appreciated for what he truly is and what he has accomplished.You hit it right on. I myself have always thought highly of Byrd's fighting ability, yeah we'd all like to see him put more on his punches, but maybe he's already maxed out in that dept. ' cause y'all gotta remember the guy came from light heavy. One fight i'd like to see him in and I know it may turn into a bore, but I'd like to see him in w/ Tyson, just to see how Iron Mike would react to a slick southpaw such as Byrd.

I think Byrd showed alot of heart to get off the canvas, and come from behind to win. I also fear that the end is near for Byrd. I say this because of his last few performances..

I think Byrd showed alot of heart to get off the canvas, and come from behind to win. I also fear that the end is near for Byrd. I say this because of his last few performances..

I agree. Byrd showed heart by getting up off the canvas to a win the fight because it takes heart to do that, even though CITA wouldn't agree. Either way, a prime Byrd would not have fought someone like McCline to such a close decision.

The end is near...he can either leave on a high-note...or leave on a Holyfield-note..

I see him in the same light as before. He's a smart fighter who is highly skilled and does what it takes to win against bigger guys. Big ups for beating McCline but I don't think he'd do it against Vitali or Toney based on this fight...

i have more respect for him but i also think he lost 2 of his 3 defences

I think Byrd showed alot of heart to get off the canvas, and come from behind to win. I also fear that the end is near for Byrd. I say this because of his last few performances..

I agree 100% here. I didnt have much respect for him before this fight but now I gotta give him due credit for rallying back to beat Mccline like he did. I thought the fight was gonna be over after that first KD, but Byrd managed to survive the onslaught and win. But I don't think he'll stay on top for long. I had scored the fight a draw, but couldve given it to either guy by one point. Byrd won the fight by one point on the deciding score card. Plus, he lost the fight to Oquendo and definatly deserved no better than a draw against Golota. I kinda hope Golota comes back and beats him in a rematch and Vitaly would destroy him, IMO.

I'm not that impressed with Byrd or any of the Heavyweights of this current era.

I agree. Byrd showed heart by getting up off the canvas to a win the fight because it takes heart to do that, even though CITA wouldn't agree. Either way, a prime Byrd would not have fought someone like McCline to such a close decision.

A prime Byrd? I think he is at his pick now. He lost to Golota (IMO), but that's because Golota is good, not because Byrd is not at his prime.

And yes, I think CITA wouldn't agree that it takes heart to get up after a knockdown and fight.

A prime Byrd? I think he is at his pick now. He lost to Golota (IMO), but that's because Golota is good, not because Byrd is not at his prime.

And yes, I think CITA wouldn't agree that it takes heart to get up after a knockdown and fight.

But he also lost to a B level Oquendo in many people's opinion.

But he also lost to a B level Oquendo in many people's opinion.


When was he at his pick then?

Oquendo was winning against Ruiz until a very questionable stoppage by the referee. Under normal circumstances, the fight would have continued. I think the ref had just waited for any reasons to stop the fight in favor of Ruiz.

When was he at his pick then?

Oquendo was winning against Ruiz until a very questionable stoppage by the referee. Under normal circumstances, the fight would have continued. I think the ref had just waited for any reasons to stop the fight in favor of Ruiz.

Regardless Oquendo has beaten no one. He has 0 good wins. I'd say Byrd was in his prime during the time period between his Ike and Holyfield fights.

Regardless Oquendo has beaten no one. He has 0 good wins. I'd say Byrd was in his prime during the time period between his Ike and Holyfield fights.

ok. maybe so.

Byrd gained a new fan in me after his fight with McCline. This is 56 lbs, and he also had the guts to fight both of the Klitschko bros. He is suprisingly willing to exchange with a big man even when backed into the ropes. He is very very quick, hard to hit clean and fires a lot of quick punches to rack up points on the score cards.

On the downside, his backhand jabs are both illegal and not very powerful. If he can lose that bad habit he'd be much further ahead than he is now. He is more "the heavyweight champ" than any of the other title holders.

He admitted he was hurt by the knockdown and showed a lot of class. The only thing not to like about this guy aside from the little *****slaps is his inability to knock out a good fighter... but not every fighter is a slugger and I think it's refreshing to a see a heavyweight with a different outlook in the ring.

I don't think he is far past his prime, next fight should be against Ruiz which I am confidant he can win. At which point he will be the majority title holder and hopefully can arrange a rematch with Vitali for all the marbles. Unifying the titles is exactly what the heavyweight division needs right now whether it's Vitali or Chris.

Also, as much as you guys want to call McCline a weak test. I didn't know him much before this fight and I'm shocked at how quick and in shape he is for his size. Nice jab for a man his size and maybe just a bit lacking in the stamina dept.

I bet he can beat about half of the top 10 guys right now.

Byrd gained a new fan in me after his fight with McCline. This is 56 lbs, and he also had the guts to fight both of the Klitschko bros. He is suprisingly willing to exchange with a big man even when backed into the ropes. He is very very quick, hard to hit clean and fires a lot of quick punches to rack up points on the score cards.

On the downside, his backhand jabs are both illegal and not very powerful. If he can lose that bad habit he'd be much further ahead than he is now. He is more "the heavyweight champ" than any of the other title holders.

He admitted he was hurt by the knockdown and showed a lot of class. The only thing not to like about this guy aside from the little *****slaps is his inability to knock out a good fighter... but not every fighter is a slugger and I think it's refreshing to a see a heavyweight with a different outlook in the ring.

I don't think he is far past his prime, next fight should be against Ruiz which I am confidant he can win. At which point he will be the majority title holder and hopefully can arrange a rematch with Vitali for all the marbles. Unifying the titles is exactly what the heavyweight division needs right now whether it's Vitali or Chris.

Nice post. I agree.

Also, as much as you guys want to call McCline a weak test. I didn't know him much before this fight and I'm shocked at how quick and in shape he is for his size. Nice jab for a man his size and maybe just a bit lacking in the stamina dept.

I bet he can beat about half of the top 10 guys right now.

... because he was/is about number 5 right now

I guess you must have missed this fight then.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021209/sp8.jpg

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Dec-08-Sun-2002/photos/klitschko.jpg

http://www.ngz-online.de/news/sport/2002-1208/wladimir_klitschko1202/klitschko.jpg

And the end result.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Dec-08-Sun-2002/photos/mccline.jpg

I guess you must have missed this fight then.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021209/sp8.jpg

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Dec-08-Sun-2002/photos/klitschko.jpg

http://www.ngz-online.de/news/sport/2002-1208/wladimir_klitschko1202/klitschko.jpg

And the end result.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Dec-08-Sun-2002/photos/mccline.jpg


It was great fight. I hope the old Wlad comes back. He looked like an old Wlad in rounds 5 and 6 in his fight with TOS. I think he will come back.

It was great fight. I hope the old Wlad comes back. He looked like an old Wlad in rounds 5 and 6 in his fight with TOS. I think he will come back.

Really? The fight only went 5 rounds, and I'd say his best round was the 2nd round.

Really? The fight only went 5 rounds, and I'd say his best round was the 2nd round.


Ok, I'm tired. I meant 4 and 5. He boxed the best in 2, I agree. But he showed his old attitude and heart in rounds 4 and 5. He looked "pissed" the way the old Wlad did.

Ok, I'm tired. I meant 4 and 5. He boxed the best in 2, I agree. But he showed his old attitude and heart in rounds 4 and 5. He looked "pissed" the way the old Wlad did.

I agree as well.

totally from scratch

I still think Byrd sucks. The reason I know you won't see the situation from a neutral point of view is when the fight was announced, you said Byrd would prove his greatness by beating Jameel McCline. How does anyone prove their greatness against Jameel McCline? If anything, beating McCline tarnishes your reputation.

I've always respected Byrd as a gutsy, skilled warrior and this fight did nothing to change that. What it did do was change my opinion of McCline, who I thought was ready to take a step up, and fight his size (i.e. bully people, lean all over them, hug and hold, use the elbows a bit, wear them down, just like LL used to do) and have a killer instinct. But it turns out he's just a big guy with decent skills and mediocre stamina. He's got the physical gifts, but he's not an animal, a fight-to-the-death warrior. So he'll never be champ. Too bad, I guess. :(

McCline is a fighter who I had wrong. I thought McCline just might run through Byrd, but apparently not. How are you gonna stand there and wait on Chris Byrd? He lacks the confidence and killer instinct of a great big man. Even if I was was scared, I wouldn't allow another man to just slap me like that, and I'm 5'6", McCline's 6'6"!

I have always liked Byrd

my opinion of Byrd hasn't changed, i still think he's a master technician in terms of boxing skills, but he'll lose to James Toney, just like he lost to Fres Oquendo.

Well, I'm happy for you. You've taken alot of flack for liking the guy and even though I didnt see the fight (yet) I'm glad for you that he won. You should be happy about it too; any of us would be happy if our guy won ;)

Thank you very much Tracy!

Thank you very much Tracy!

Youre welcome very much!! :D

I still think Byrd sucks. The reason I know you won't see the situation from a neutral point of view is when the fight was announced, you said Byrd would prove his greatness by beating Jameel McCline. How does anyone prove their greatness against Jameel McCline? If anything, beating McCline tarnishes your reputation.

u really hate byrd don't u. even if u don't like Byrd u can't really beleive that he sucks. He has great skill and in ring smarts, and speed. he lacks power but makes up for it. Just like cory spinks.

Well Byrd did nothing for me either with the win except show McCline was overrated and that he is not a "big time" fighter. Byrd is just like Ruiz to me. You got to give them both their props cause they just keep winning even though BYrd has really lost to Golata and Oquendo. He is just like every other heavy right now in that he is a man of opportunity. The division sucks and on any given day anyone can win a belt unless the judges fix it like they do for Byrd. Byrd got beat to death by both the Klit's boys and he has been beat up on 3 other occassions by Andrew, Fres and destroyed by a man in jail right now. He aint great and will never be to most real boxing fans. If he fights Rock or Toney or Vitali and wins then I can give him some props as long as the judges don't rob the other guys like they have in the past.

u really hate byrd don't u. even if u don't like Byrd u can't really beleive that he sucks. He has great skill and in ring smarts, and speed. he lacks power but makes up for it. Just like cory spinks.

You know, that's an excellent way of looking at it. I like Spinks for all his natural talent and it's enough for me to overlook his lack of power (youre either born with it or youre not....not exactly his fault) and I dont know why I never applied the same idea to Byrd! :o Seem's slightly unfair when I think about it really. Thanks for comparing the two cause I'll be looking at Byrd a little differently from now on ;)

i still love Byrdy completely

My respect for him has encreased after the show against such bigger opponent as ,cline.

Im begining to like him.

Simply put: Byrd's got the skills to do some damage in the HW division...

Simply put: Byrd's got the skills to do some damage in the HW division...

Substitute got with had and its a deal.

same respect, but he needs to fight Golota again and 0quendo
Definitely, But I think Golota would Knockout Byrd. Byrd really proved him self against mccline, and battled back and won. I would like to see Ruiz and Byrd fight. Ruiz would probably win though.