Does anyone think Chris Byrd wasted his career?

[ben41193]

Nah i dont think so, i think heda been far more succesfull at a lower weight, But he had success and he was happy. So no he didnt waste it

[Vladimir303]

Fighting 25 pounds above where he could make weight?

He definately wouldn't have been beaten up by anyone at LHW the way he was against W. Klitschko IMO.

Thoughts?

He didn't waiste his career. He is a 2-time heavyweight title holder. He has defended the title a coule times as well and beaten some real good HW's along the way.

I don't think the guy really feels comfortable at light-heavy or cruiser. He felt comfortable at heavyweight but once he stared losing, he decided to reinvent himself and create interest and buzz by coming down to light-heavy.

This is his last stand before retirement. He can talk about being at his best at light-heavy all he wants. For all we know he is washed up and it could show in his upcoming fight. We don't know.

[Scott9945]

Fighting 25 pounds above where he could make weight?

He definately wouldn't have been beaten up by anyone at LHW the way he was against W. Klitschko IMO.

Thoughts?

Once I had the chance to ask Floyd Patterson (on a call in show) whether he regretted not fighting at 175, where he could have been an all time great. He said that he would rather have been a good heavyweight than a great lightheavyweight. Whether he was referring to money or glory is anyone's guess.

[shadeyfizzle]

I don't think I phrased my opening post very well.

I guess what I am asking is twofold.

1. Would Chris Byrd have been good enough at LHW to dominate the division, including beating RJJ?

2. If he could, would he have guaranteed his legacy moreso by doing that than winning a title 25 pounds+ north of where he could have been fighting?

Perhaps your twofold question would be more appropriately adressed in reverse order. In any indidual sport guys kill themselves to make the lowest weight possible to give themself a size and power advantage. Instead though he went 25lbs north and still won a belt. While not officially recognized still gives him a legacy he can be proud of. I dont think he could beat roy jones but it would have been a hell of a fight because i dont think jones could have hurt byrd

[Mr. Ryan]

Once I had the chance to ask Floyd Patterson (on a call in show) whether he regretted not fighting at 175, where he could have been an all time great. He said that he would rather have been a good heavyweight than a great lightheavyweight. Whether he was referring to money or glory is anyone's guess.

At 175, his hands were much faster and the fluidity in his combinations were remarkable. I thought he beat Maxim.

[ElGranLuchador]

byrd is crap at heavyweight just like all the other americans
they better move down in weight im talking fat eddie chambers and all the other "prospects"
leave the heavyweight division to the european elite

[Xyei]

I don't think I phrased my opening post very well.

I guess what I am asking is twofold.

1. Would Chris Byrd have been good enough at LHW to dominate the division, including beating RJJ?

2. If he could, would he have guaranteed his legacy moreso by doing that than winning a title 25 pounds+ north of where he could have been fighting?

Byrd vs. Jones at LHW when they were both in their primes, is a dream fight! I know Byrd was fast and slick as a HW but LWH's are a lot faster than HWs so I'm not really sure how he would handle that.

I don't think that Byrd would have ever been stopped at LHW though.

[BmoreBrawler]

Fighting 25 pounds above where he could make weight?

He definately wouldn't have been beaten up by anyone at LHW the way he was against W. Klitschko IMO.

Thoughts?

no, because his best division was probably one of the more ignored divisions until the RJJ and more recently Hopkins moves there.

[AntonTheMeh]

I very much doubt that Chris Byrd has intercourse with a single female deer, but I suppose I've heard stranger things.

i was going for an inside the park home run but there you where in left field.............

[Ramamaiden]

byrd at lhw would have been amazing. im sure he would ave dominated the division with roy jones and a fight between them at their prime would have been a dream fight on those days.
he went on heavyweight cos we all know that heavyweight is the top division of boxing on its history, so it was a high risk move going directly to heavyweight but i think he expected a bigger reward if he had succeed. i think he would be more recognized if he had started at light heavy, but what he did on heavyweight was amazing imo and he deserves more recognition.