Klitschko out until Fall

And any unification bout between the IBF and WBA would not happen until mid next year at the earliest as King's champions are very inactive. Since beating Holyfield in December of 2002, Byrd has defended his belt 3 times. Since beating Rahman in December of 2003, Ruiz has defended his belt 2 times. Sad but true. Byrd isn't signed to his next fight yet, and April 30th is just around the corner. We could see Byrd fighting the winner of Toney vs Ruiz as early as late July or August.

the winner of golota/brewster has to fight the winner of whitaker/kransiqi, so there unify there, wbc title is with vitali so he's out, winner of ruiz/toney gets byrd is the only unification that can happen and i think it will. And any unification bout between the IBF and WBA would not happen until mid next year at the earliest as King's champions are very inactive. Since beating Holyfield in December of 2002, Byrd has defended his belt 3 times. Since beating Rahman in December of 2003, Ruiz has defended his belt 2 times. Sad but true.

the winner of golota/brewster has to fight the winner of whitaker/kransiqi, so there unify there, wbc title is with vitali so he's out, winner of ruiz/toney gets byrd is the only unification that can happen and i think it will.

Toney vs Ruiz Winner goes on to fight Byrd or winner of Lamon/Golota That is our chance at unification and could very well happen with Byrd getting the winner of that fight and then Byrd goes onto fight Vitali or whoever the wbc title holder is. Mind you if Vitali gets stripped or fights and loses either way he will be fighting a King fighter (Barrett or Hasim) and then King will have all 4 heavyweight belts...*ohh god* boxing is dead haha. Spinksjinx, I wish I shared your optimism but how far away would a bout between the winner of Golota/Lamon vs Byrd be? I just wish there was some sense of urgency in the division, I mean when was the last time Chris Byrd fought last fall at that stupid "night of heavyweights" card! No wonder why Byrd has no fans, the guy never fights! :mad:

The heavyweight division is getting bleaker by the month. The division's top star, vitali Klitscho is out indefinitely until this freakin fall! :mad: Byrd doesn't want to fight anyone and there seems to be no plans for unification of the belts whatsoever! Toney vs Ruiz Winner goes on to fight Byrd or winner of Lamon/Golota That is our chance at unification and could very well happen with Byrd getting the winner of that fight and then Byrd goes onto fight Vitali or whoever the wbc title holder is. Mind you if Vitali gets stripped or fights and loses either way he will be fighting a King fighter (Barrett or Hasim) and then King will have all 4 heavyweight belts...*ohh god* boxing is dead haha.

The heavyweight division is getting bleaker by the month. The division's top star, vitali Klitscho is out indefinitely until this freakin fall! :mad: Byrd doesn't want to fight anyone and there seems to be no plans for unification of the belts whatsoever!

True, right now there's not big money in the division, but you know as well as I do how quick things can change in boxing. And with the recent weight limit increase, it's prime for big activity. If we were to see a few more performances like the Mormeck/Braithwaite fight, I think it would start to shine, big-time. Tell me honestly, which you would prefer: Watching a pair of big, fat heavyweights slug for 2 rounds before the clinch-fest starts, and the fight gets stopped over a cut caused by a nasty headbut .....or Watching a pair of fit, well conditioned true athletes trade back and forth in a highly competetive fight where the outcome is constantly up for grabs? I know which I'd prefer :D I have to admit to a bit of bias, though. I'd just soooo fucking sick of seeing heavyweights come into he ring, fat as hell, unconditioned, and just not giving a shit. It's a slap in the face of fans, managers, promoters, AND their opponents (provided they haven't been slurping pasta and beer as well). Also, since the weight limit increase, if I were fighting, I'd be a cruiserweight as well (I walk around at about 205, but when I get lean'n'mean, I'm 198), so there's that as well :D True but I have never really been a fan of the heavyweight division ever search for this thread (what is it about these big guys). I have always enjoyed watching fighters at 160 or below and anything above never really sparked my interest.

I'm 210-220 when i'm lean and mean (right now i'm about 240), 6 foot 2, really big frame, and also very slow - so i'd be one of those smaller heavyweights who gets hammered on by the Lewises and Klitschkos. If I was a boxer, would it be a better idea for me to cut it down to an unnatrually light 199, and fight as a cruiser, given my lack of speed and my "small heavyweight" size? Anyway, on the thread topic - it's interesting how the Klitschkos, for all their massive power and raw atheletic talent, are really not the most durable guys. Wlad goes down these days when you tap him, and Vitali is always tearing muscles... I might be being too hard on Vitali, at least - everyone gets injured, especially at this level of competition. Still, at 33 he doesn't have much time left - better not fuck around, once he's recovered.

True, right now there's not big money in the division, but you know as well as I do how quick things can change in boxing. And with the recent weight limit increase, it's prime for big activity. If we were to see a few more performances like the Mormeck/Braithwaite fight, I think it would start to shine, big-time. Tell me honestly, which you would prefer: Watching a pair of big, fat heavyweights slug for 2 rounds before the clinch-fest starts, and the fight gets stopped over a cut caused by a nasty headbut .....or Watching a pair of fit, well conditioned true athletes trade back and forth in a highly competetive fight where the outcome is constantly up for grabs? I know which I'd prefer :D I have to admit to a bit of bias, though. I'd just soooo fucking sick of seeing heavyweights come into he ring, fat as hell, unconditioned, and just not giving a shit. It's a slap in the face of fans, managers, promoters, AND their opponents (provided they haven't been slurping pasta and beer as well). Also, since the weight limit increase, if I were fighting, I'd be a cruiserweight as well (I walk around at about 205, but when I get lean'n'mean, I'm 198), so there's that as well :D

Stick-No money is in the division though...Possibly it could attract names...If Toney/Jirov would have stayed possibly other guys will move or come down....Tarver is a possiblity as well as moving up. Jones has always fought an awkward style and relied to much on speed it is to late in his career to adjust...Just like Tyson the blueprint has been laid out...It is a shame Roy has become wasted talent and never been able to shine against top opposition.

I believe Byrd is on the decline, in his last couple of fights it just seems like he continues to get lucky with the judges. He's slowed a little, true, and I think he could get seriously hurt if he keeps fighting guys who are so much bigger than he is.....all the more reason to move to cruiser.

Me as well....To bad Toney couldnt drop his big ass eating habits that makes him stay at heavy (you know that is the only reason he went to heavy is so he can maintain his big ass diet) Byrd/Toney at cruiser would be nice against any of the top guys well THE top guy. Byrd vs Jones at 175 would even make me lick my chops if Jones was still in the game and Byrd could make it. No way Byrd could get back to 175...Hell, I don't even think Jones could do it again and be competetive. I actually wouldn't mind seeing Jones at Cruiser also. He has a couple of years left, if he wanted them. The thing about Jones is, he'll have to swallow some pride and start fighting more conventionally....keeping his gloves up for a guard, and trying to work off a jab. He can no longer afford to depend on superb reflexes because they are non-existant. With the recent raise in the weight limit, it has the potential to be an extremely exciting division. Just think......we no longer have to watch a small guy who's true fighting weight is 198, gain an extra 10 or 15 pounds just to be competetive against monsters who outweigh them by 40 or 50 pounds. This should've been done years ago. I predict that, within 2 years, the cruiser division will rival the heavies for popularity, and it won't be long after that until we see those guys making serious cash for the shows they put on.

Read my long ass post above...Byrd/Golota get decisions and multiple chances that way King can milk his way to bigger fights with Byrd vs Toney or Klitschko and Golota vs Wlad or another champ for unification. Ruiz/Lamon will Fizzle out shortly. Yup it all makes sense...

I believe Byrd is on the decline, in his last couple of fights it just seems like he continues to get lucky with the judges. Read my long ass post above...Byrd/Golota get decisions and multiple chances that way King can milk his way to bigger fights with Byrd vs Toney or Klitschko and Golota vs Wlad or another champ for unification. Ruiz/Lamon will Fizzle out shortly.

I believe Byrd is on the decline, in his last couple of fights it just seems like he continues to get lucky with the judges.

Can't argue that Toney and Byrd would be a good fight, but I'd still rather see Mormeck/Byrd. I don't like Toney's bullshit mouth outside the ring. He's a great fighter, can't argue that, but his behaviour outside the ring leaves me cold on the guy. Byrd can be arrogant, but what boxer isn't? And he's slick enough that I think he'd give a guy like Mormeck trouble, but wouldn't be able to just outbox him like he can all the bigger guys. And as a cruiser, I think Byrd would have much better usable power....something I'd definitely like to see. Me as well....To bad Toney couldnt drop his big ass eating habits that makes him stay at heavy (you know that is the only reason he went to heavy is so he can maintain his big ass diet) Byrd/Toney at cruiser would be nice against any of the top guys well THE top guy. Byrd vs Jones at 175 would even make me lick my chops if Jones was still in the game and Byrd could make it.

Id much rather see Byrd vs Toney two of the top counter punching fighters today...Sure it would be boring but the boxing ability in the ring would be magnificent. Can't argue that Toney and Byrd would be a good fight, but I'd still rather see Mormeck/Byrd. I don't like Toney's bullshit mouth outside the ring. He's a great fighter, can't argue that, but his behaviour outside the ring leaves me cold on the guy. Byrd can be arrogant, but what boxer isn't? And he's slick enough that I think he'd give a guy like Mormeck trouble, but wouldn't be able to just outbox him like he can all the bigger guys. And as a cruiser, I think Byrd would have much better usable power....something I'd definitely like to see.

Two words for you guys: Cruiserweight division. Byrd should drop about 10 pounds and take on Mormeck, just to see if he's still "got it". It would be a beauty of a fight. Id much rather see Byrd vs Toney two of the top counter punching fighters today...Sure it would be boring but the boxing ability in the ring would be magnificent.

Two words for you guys: Cruiserweight division. Byrd should drop about 10 pounds and take on Mormeck, just to see if he's still "got it". It would be a beauty of a fight.

So basically the only current available fights for Byrd are with Valuev and Lyakhovich. At this point yes but their could be others if King works his magic. It would be easy for King to Wlad vs Byrd provided Wlad gets by his next opponent. But once the current matchups go underway we will probably see something develop within the heavyweight division (provided Toney wins of course) Because it COULD work like this and it would make the most money and that is what King is ALL about. Toney vs Ruiz-King knows Ruiz isnt a big draw and with King getting options on Toney and Toney being a draw and all Toney could get the decision. The only reason Ruiz hasnt lost it yet was because it wasnt convincing enough or he hasnt fought a huge box office draw. So now hypothetically Toney gets the belt.... Lets move onto Lamon vs Golota-Golota has been given chance after chance and King has milked it because it was a decent draw each time and VERY close. King gives him his shot after milking two title fights and 3rd times a charm. Golota gets passed Lamon and becomes Kings WHITE heavyweight champion. Now we have 2 CREDIBLE heavyweight champs Golota/Toney Klitschko/Rahman/Barrett still out of the picture. Move in on the options King has on Wlad ok? King gets a bright idea hey 2 white DRAWING heavyweight fighting each other for a unification title fight! Even bigger than the 2 previous title fight draws. King milks the white right out of the dairy on this and stages Wlad vs Golota...Of course their is a winner...Who knows Move in Byrd vs Toney again a HUGE draw for King especially if done Michigan...Two of the top credible heavyweights at this time going at it...Considering the background it would be hell of public fight especially with Toney's trash talking. Now this would be a unification fight...The winner who ever it may be wouldnt matter. Now we have 1 WHITE heavyweight champion Golota or Wlad (remember to forget Klitschko at this point) So King stages the winner of Golota vs Wlad to fight Byrd....Once again ANOTHER huge fight a unified BLACK heavyweight champion of the world against a WHITE heavyweight champion of the world in a 3 COUNT THEM 3 Unification title belt match. This could be the next Holmes vs Cooney the way king would promote it as either way both of these fighters (wlad or andrew and byrd) are all drawing names (ok maybe not byrd). King does this and the winner of this fight would HAVE to be recognized as the heavyweight champion of the world holding 3 TITLE belts. Now we have a true champ at this point. Now insert Rahman vs Klitschko, King gets options on Vitali so whoever wins NOT a big deal....So the winner goes on to fight the 3 belt unified champion at this point. All roads COULD lead to Byrd if he beat everybody in his way and then goes on to fight Vitali for a 4 belt unification matchup as these 2 have bitterness towards each other and would be a draw anyway you put it. However if Golota or Wlad wins it and Vitali loses (which seems to be the case with the klitschkos one loses as another wins it) They could move onto fight Rahman...We would have a unified heavyweight champ on our hands before the end of 2006. WOW THAT WAS LONG...Hope you are still their.