Chris Byrd, where's the love?

I understand why most people think he was boring, but I actually enjoy his style. It didn't help him that Larry Merchant totally hated him. At HBO they always sling mud at defensive fighters.

I don't really get this thread. I like Chris Byrd plenty but he is far from relevant in the sport anymore so what does TS want us to do? Create I love Chris Byrd threads? I don't get it....? This is a forum, we are constantly talking about fighters in the past, especially heavyweights and I know he wasn't one of the greats but Byrd was one of the top 10 heavyweights of the Lewis era with terrific upper body movement. I actually didn't find him boring, he wasn't a runner like Dirrel, he was more like Pernell Whitaker in that he would stay in the pocket, avoid shots and pop off his own counters.

I use to be a fan of chris byrd when he was champ about ten years ago... At the time everybody hated him due to his style,, I met him at the god awful rahman-barrett ppv, i was sitting about 10th row... Had met brewster, and judah and both were cool... Then Byrd walked by and me and my cousin got excited and started saying his name, and literally the dude walked right past, didnt smile, nod, nothing,,, And we were his fans, I got so mad that i shouted "That's why you got no fans" Then and only then did he turn and smile at us.... True story.... Summer of 05 Chi-town United Center

I don't really get this thread. I like Chris Byrd plenty but he is far from relevant in the sport anymore so what does TS want us to do? Create I love Chris Byrd threads? I don't get it....?

This is a myth. Byrd wasn't a runner/slapper like Paulie Malignaggi; he fought right in the pocket with much larger opponents and happily engaged them, because his defense was primarily based on upper body movement. The only genuinely dreadful fight he was involved in during that time was with Fres Oquendo, who was just about the most appalling fighter to watch in the history of this sport. not true. watch byrd-williamson if you dare. seriously don't though.

Seems like a nice guy but could be dreadful viewing. He did take part in some decent fights though but only if he was pushed into it. This is a myth. Byrd wasn't a runner/slapper like Paulie Malignaggi; he fought right in the pocket with much larger opponents and happily engaged them, because his defense was primarily based on upper body movement. The only genuinely dreadful fight he was involved in during that time was with Fres Oquendo, who was just about the most appalling fighter to watch in the history of this sport.

Love Chris Byrd but whenever I think of him I picture Ike plastering him and him drooling like a snarling dog.

I wish Chris Byrd hadn't been so undersized. He could have been a pretty good heavyweight if he was bigger. That he did what he did is admirable.

chris byrd is wlad's best win. chris byrd couldn't beat oquendo, golota, and barely if at all beat mccline. says a lot about the division. byrd came between the holyfield/lewis era and the wlad era. right place right time kind of guy.

he was very slick and fast. But he honestly didnt belong at heavyweight. That just goes to show you how much heart he has.

I haven't seen his fights before but like the guys said above he has a good youtube channel and seems like a cool guy

Love His Youtube Channel!

I think Chris Byrd was a terrific HW who just never managed to reach the big time. He was highly skilled and a great defense and would fight anyone. I'm surprised this guy doesn't get more love, why is that? How is being Heavyweight champ of the world not the big time? The guy had wins over an aging Holyfield, Vitali, and Tua. He was by no means a superstar, but he was a very solid and respected fighter. He had a very high boxing IQ, wonder why we haven't seen him as a high profile trainer.

Seems like a nice guy but could be dreadful viewing. He did take part in some decent fights though but only if he was pushed into it. His YouTube is interesting viewing.

He was not exciting and the only stoppages that were possible in his fights were if he was on the receiving end. But indeed he was one of the best heavyweights of the past 15 years.