Two of boxing's premiere heavyweights will collide in Mannheim, Germany when IBF Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd (39-2-1, 20KO's) steps into the ring against former heavyweight champion and top contender Wladimir Klitschko (45-3, 40KO's) on Saturday night April 22nd in Mannheim, Germany. This is the second meeting between these two warriors. The first meeting took place over five years ago in October of 2000 when Klitschko defended his WBO Heavyweight Title with a 12-round unanimous decision victory in a fight that also took place in Germany. Since capturing the once vacant IBF title against Evander Holyfield, Byrd has successfully defended his title four times; most recently winning a unanimous decision victory over DaVarryl Williamson on October 1st, 2005. In Klitschko's last fight, he cemented his place among the top heavyweights and put himself in position for a title shot with a unanimous decision victory over previously unbeaten Samuel Peter in Atlantic City on September 24th. The Byrd-Klitschko IBF/IBO Heavyweight Championship Bout will be aired on HBO World Championship Boxing on Saturday Night April 22nd.
Byrd vs. Klitschko 2 is Official
Comments
mECHsLAVETue Feb 7, 2006, 6:39 PM UTC
Ok, everyone sit back and listen to the news...
All these morons who are tripping out about Wlad taking Byrd instead of Brewster are the same idiots who had Byrd as their #1 HW last year. If anyone has the time to dig up the old HW ranking threads, then I can almost promise you that everybody had Byrd in the top 5, minimum. I personally do not think much of Byrd, but the irony is that during Vitali's WBC reign, all the Klitschko Haters jumped on the Byrd/Ruiz bandwagon- hyping them non-stop as the two best HW's. Now that Byrd has finally, after over a year, agreed to defend his title against someone with a pulse...oh wait, all the bandwagoners have found themselves in a weird position. They have to now DISCREDIT the very fighter who they relied on for 2 years to keep from giving Vitali any credit: Chris Byrd. They see the possibility of Wlad beating Byrd, and are now flip-flopping and heading off any possible praise for Wlad by calling Byrd "a joke" and "creampuff" etc etc. Where for the past two years they have all praised Byrd as the best HW out there- period.
I think most of us who read the boards can see this phenomenom happening- I just wanted to spell it out so that the pretenders realize their agenda, which is to avoid giving ANY praise or credit to any Klitscko, is extremely transparent.
It's simply frustration at being painted into a corner. There, there- it'll be OK. Wlad must beat Brewster, or Brewster must lose somehow, before Wlad is considered the #1 HW or the recognized Champ. So there really is no reason for the Klitschko Hating Crew to go into all these convulsions of frustration. You guys can still lord the Brewster loss over all the Wlad fans until your little hearts are content.
Brewster has said he only wants to fight for belts. Wlad worked his way into #1 contender position of the IBF, so now that he is signed to fight for the IBF title that is somehow wrong? To me is makes perfect sense in every way. A win over Byrd does so much for Wlad- increased confidence, a major title, sets up a big unificaiton rematch with Brewster that will be huge, especially in Germany, where Brewster has had no problem traveling to kick some ***.
But as for a prediction, I think Byrd will give a better showing than most are predicting. I think he knows he has to pressure Wlad, try to take the fight deep, try to rattle him, etc. He knows he can't stay on the ropes, on the outside, etc. I think you will see more of the Byrd who was semi-agressive with McCline down the stretch. But I just can't see Byrd getting away from that jab. Wlad's offense is awesome, and his left hand is really amazing for a HW of his size. I think Byrd just will take too many hard jabs and power shots early, and that'll take most of the fight out of him, and if Wlad can pace himself correctly then it'll be an easy UD. I don't see Byrd being stopped, honestly. Manny is developing Wlad to be a little more cautios and reserve himself from opening up too much.
Leo_PradunTue Feb 7, 2006, 6:07 PM UTC
...Badblood, are you still taking bets on Wlad/Byrd? I want a piece of that action.
hell ye me too....
PBDSTue Feb 7, 2006, 3:41 PM UTC
:lol1: :lol1:
...Badblood, are you still taking bets on Wlad/Byrd? I want a piece of that action.
KimmyTue Feb 7, 2006, 1:32 AM UTC
u dont know **** and u dont think before u post, both wlad and byrd make themselves some good money on the fight, wlad get the ibf belt and then sets up a huge ppv fight with brewster, ur just to stupid and biased and u cant see that...
Gotta agree Leo, but if bloodshit wants to throw points away and adopt hopeless causes then good for him. He is only supporting byrd because he wants attention!
Leo_PradunTue Feb 7, 2006, 1:17 AM UTC
My *** Byrd is the best. You're lying your *** off.
dan rafael from espn has byrd at the number 1 spot...