Chris Byrd: A True Warrior
Like any true warrior, Chris Byrd went out on his shield when he was pulverized by Waldimir Klitschko on Saturday, April 22nd.
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John Hively
37 articles published
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37 stories on BoxingScene are published under the John Hively byline.
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Articles by John Hively: page 4
Byrd-Klitschko: A Historic Turning Point in Heavyweight History?
April 22nd, 2006 may be one of the most momentous dates in the history of boxing. On that day, Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine will most likely easily defeat Chris Byrd of the United States for Byrd’s IBF heavyweight title. If that result occurs, it may mark the dawning of a new era in boxing. Three of the four major titlists will be from Eastern Europe. Like the flood waters of Hurricane Katrina that swept away much of New Orleans, a rising tidal wave of Eastern European fighters threatens to sweep away American supremacy in the heavyweight division, putting an end to an era that began with the reign of John L. Sullivan—124 years ago. Until getting drilled by South Africa’s Corrie Sanders left hand a few years back, Klitschko looked like the successor to the undisputed champion, Lennox Lewis. In that fight, when hurt, Wlad looked like a deer in headlights, shocked and awed and unable to respond to the subsequent onslaught of his adversary. After being run over by the South African in the second round, as well as suffering a loss to Lamon Brewster, Klitschko seems to have recovered some of his old confidence, and it would be surprising if he didn’t join the ranks of heavyweight titlists once again, especially since he defeated Byrd in a one-sided fight six years ago. The other titlists are Nicolay Valuev (WBA), Sergei Liakhovich (WBO), and Hasim Rahman (WBC). Valuev, of Russia, defeated John Ruiz a few months ago to win his title. Liakhovich, of Belarussia, triumphed over Lamon Brewster two weeks ago for the WBO championship. Hasim Rahman, of the United States, was awarded the WBC title last autumn when Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine retired.
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The Alleged Ho-Hum Heavyweight Division
The heavyweight division is in sad shape nowadays, especially when compared to other eras, or so we have been told repeatedly ever since Lennox Lewis retired a few years back. But every decade or so, fight fans have heard the same thing, more or less. In 1940, Nat Fleischer, writing in the June issue of the Ring magazine, said of the heavyweight division, “That the field of championship contenders is the weakest in the last fifty years.” But Nat was wrong. Joe Louis, one of the all-time greats, reigned supreme as heavyweight king. Louis had several solid contenders listed in the June edition of Ring magazine: Lou Nova, Bob Pastor, Tony Galento, Arturo Godoy, Nathan Mann, Red Burman, Roscoe Toles and Buddy Walker. Max Baer, Billy Conn, Buddy Baer, Abe Simon and several other solid fighters hovered just outside the top ten, and soon some of them dropped into the party. Decades later, Fleischer called Max Baer’s right hand one of the best of all time, and he wrote the same of Galento’s left hook. Hmmm, this was a weak crop of heavyweights? The problem was that Louis had already flattened several of them, making them look somewhat soft, mushy and over-ripe in the process.
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Hopkins and Pacquiao: Different Roads to Greatness
I disagree with those who place Bernard Hopkins up there among the top five or six middleweights of all time. Hopkins was an alphabet champion for six years, unified the title eventually, held it four years before losing it on a controversial decision, and defended his various titles twenty times. Those who claim Hopkins as being one of the five or six best middleweights of all time base their case on these numbers.
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The Sport of Boxing and Steroids
Now that Roy Jones has gone over the hill on us, and quite rapidly at that, the former champion’s achievements and his standing as an all time great are being assessed. Finely balanced treatments are provided by various boxing writers concerning his speed, power, ring savvy and career highlights, and how his skills and achievements likely stack up against former greats of the squared circle. “Steroids,” however, are rarely—if ever—mentioned in the same sentence with “Roy Jones,” but perhaps they should be.
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John Ruiz Versus Nicolay Valuev: An Analysis
On December 17 2005, in Berlin Germany, John Ruiz will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight championship against Nicolay Valuev of Russia. Given Valuev’s complete lack of experience against top tier fighters, this bout appears to be an easy outing for Ruiz, but this might not be the reality on fight night.
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Vitali Klitschko: Underrated Champion
I am tired of hearing what a lousy champion Vitali Klitschko was. Hogwash is what I say to those who denigrate this fine, but injury plagued fighter. Upon the retirement of Lennox Lewis, the Ukrainian giant was the finest heavyweight around.
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