Klitschko-Lyakhovich Close To Done!

Chris Byrd = coward. Notice he refused to fight Wlad in America for $2.5 million. Where are all of the Chris Byrd supporters now? By G. Leon March 07, 2005 - Sources close to the situation have informed Boxingtalk.com that an agreement in principle has been reached between Lou DiBella and Shelly Finkel that has Sergei Lyakhovich on the verge of officially replacing IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd, as Wladimir Klitschko's opponent on April 23. This should be no surprise to Boxingtalk.com readers since we first mentioned Lyakhovich as a probably replace when we broke the news regarding the implosion of both Klitschko bouts over the weekend. Klitschko advisor Shelly Finkel described Lyahkhovich as a "possibility" and says he'll be able to officially announce something tomorrow. Finkel did explain to Boxingtalk.com that Chris Byrd turned down $3.5M to face Wladimir in Germany, and rather surprisingly, Finkel also told Boxingtalk.com that Byrd is also refusing to accept $2.5M to face Wladimir in America! If Byrd doesn't have a complete change of heart overnight, there's no doubt, he'll be watching Wladimir Klitschko taking on weak opposition on HBO come April 23. Lyakhovich promoter Lou DiBella was unavailable for immediate comment. Stay tuned for all the latest. Remember Where You Heard It First! (7:00 PM ET)

Comments (20)

Neuraxis

If Wlad is shot as you say, than you have just proven the point I have been making all along, that shows he doesn't even deserve a shot. How can a chinless, shot fighter get a shot at the title, he can't and shouldn't, thank you for proving my point. So Byrd will fight others who do not deserve a title shot like Oquendo and Golota for under his minimum and McCline for his minimum, but he won't fight Wlad for $3.6 million in Germany and $2.5 million in the U.S.? Like I said before, poor, poor Chris Byrd. :theyareon

21y ago

Warrior_Spirit

Hey man, Byrd is the CHAMPION. That means he's supposed to be the best. If he can't face a guy that everyone says is shot, and has no chin and so on, then it just proves that all he really is is a fuckin paper champion. Wlad would murder his ass, and we all know that Golota beat him as well. Face facts, W.S., Byrd is a bitch. Hell, even I could beat him, and I'm in a wheelchair. If Wlad is shot as you say, than you have just proven the point I have been making all along, that shows he doesn't even deserve a shot. How can a chinless, shot fighter get a shot at the title, he can't and shouldn't, thank you for proving my point.

21y ago

Neuraxis

I thought Lyakovich was supposed to fight Whitaker next. I just noticed Whitaker is not fighting anyone. Nope Whitaker is fighting Krasniqi. Maybe you are confusing Whitaker with McCline because McCline was scheduled to fight Lyakhovich, but McCline is now going to fight Brock.

21y ago

ejk22

Chris Byrd = coward. Notice he refused to fight Wlad in America for $2.5 million. Where are all of the Chris Byrd supporters now? I thought Lyakovich was supposed to fight Whitaker next. I just noticed Whitaker is not fighting anyone.

21y ago

GranTorino

Why? Cause hes not fighting your boyfriend Wlad, and now your pissed because Wlad won't get an easy title fight? Wlad has to work and earn his way to a title, Byrd is not just gonna hand it to him. Hey man, Byrd is the CHAMPION. That means he's supposed to be the best. If he can't face a guy that everyone says is shot, and has no chin and so on, then it just proves that all he really is is a fuckin paper champion. Wlad would murder his ass, and we all know that Golota beat him as well. Face facts, W.S., Byrd is a bitch. Hell, even I could beat him, and I'm in a wheelchair.

21y ago

guru

21y ago

TheFairPole

I support you 100%!!! So do I! Byrd is always complaining about the money that King isn't getting him. Well here it finaly is and Byrd is turning it down for a fight that he won't even get a million for. He must be affraid! He knows he can't win this fight. Maybe Byrd should rematch Golota... Oh, thats right, he turned down that rematch that would have been his biggest payday too! Byrd says he will fight anybody? Well he won't fight a "shot" Wlad for the biggest payday Byrd will ever get, so what does that tell you??? Byrd must be affraid!

21y ago

freirui

21y ago

aand

> It takes big stones to get into a ring and fight another man. They are proffesionals and this sport is the way they earn the big money. If they are afraid then it is simply the time to change the proffesion or take a little time out and free a spece for those who are not afraid as much.

21y ago

Run8964

You didn't answer or even attempt to address any of my questions and like Run said Wlad would probably need to KO Byrd or KD him multiple times in order to get the win if the fight was in the U.S. I like Byrd. I however have always suspected some foul play among referees in his fights. I will say that. Never pay again for live sex! | Hot girls doing naughty stuff for free! | Chat for free!

21y ago

Neuraxis

Why? Cause hes not fighting your boyfriend Wlad, and now your pissed because Wlad won't get an easy title fight? Wlad has to work and earn his way to a title, Byrd is not just gonna hand it to him. You didn't answer or even attempt to address any of my questions and like Run said Wlad would probably need to KO Byrd or KD him multiple times in order to get the win if the fight was in the U.S.

21y ago

Run8964

Wlad has to work and earn his way to a title, Byrd is not just gonna hand it to him. Wlad must "decisevly" beat Byrd to take his title. That will not be easy if it happens. Never pay again for live sex! | Hot girls doing naughty stuff for free! | Chat for free!

21y ago

Warrior_Spirit

He refused to fight Wlad in Europe. He refused to fight Wlad in the U.S. How is turning down the biggest payday of your career against a fighter that you and many others here think is shot "what is best for Chris Byrd?" If he doesn't have "big stones" to get into the ring with Wlad then he is in the wrong sport. He should take up tennis instead. Why? Cause hes not fighting your boyfriend Wlad, and now your pissed because Wlad won't get an easy title fight? Wlad has to work and earn his way to a title, Byrd is not just gonna hand it to him.

21y ago

Neuraxis

Your calling Chris Byrd a coward? Who the fuck are you?Have you ever boxed? It takes big stones to get into a ring and fight another man. Chris Byrd did what was best for Chris Byrd, plus Wlad doesn't deserve a shot. Heres a new equation for ya...Neuraxis=dipshit He refused to fight Wlad in Europe. He refused to fight Wlad in the U.S. How is turning down the biggest payday of your career against a fighter that you and many others here think is shot "what is best for Chris Byrd?" If he doesn't have "big stones" to get into the ring with Wlad then he is in the wrong sport. He should take up tennis instead.

21y ago

Warrior_Spirit

Chris Byrd = coward. Notice he refused to fight Wlad in America for $2.5 million. Where are all of the Chris Byrd supporters now? Your calling Chris Byrd a coward? Who the fuck are you?Have you ever boxed? It takes big stones to get into a ring and fight another man. Chris Byrd did what was best for Chris Byrd, plus Wlad doesn't deserve a shot. Heres a new equation for ya...Neuraxis=dipshit

21y ago

Run8964

(keep in mind I'm from Texas, and since none of us hicks can read a map, and it takes so long to get out of this state, very few know about anything outside Texas lol) Im from Mcallen. Its near the Mexican Border. Never pay again for live sex! | Hot girls doing naughty stuff for free! | Chat for free!

21y ago

hollister

I apologize in advance in case I offend any fellow Texans lol

21y ago

hollister

well actually VK/byrd has alot more chance of coming off sicne VK can go fight in staples center in califonia so byrd doesnt have to shit himself goign to fight in germany Yeah, I follow you. If that's really the reason behind Byrd/Wlad not coming off, then it makes perfect sense lol. And yes, I believe it is (keep in mind I'm from Texas, and since none of us hicks can read a map, and it takes so long to get out of this state, very few know about anything outside Texas lol)

21y ago

AintGottaClue

well actually VK/byrd has alot more chance of coming off sicne VK can go fight in staples center in califonia so byrd doesnt have to shit himself goign to fight in germany (ps staples is in L.A. right?)

21y ago

hollister

Sergei doesn't have much of a shot at beating Wlad, either. He lacks the strength or speed to take the fight to Wlad, and he'll get murdered on the outside.

21y ago