Chris Byrd-Wlad Klitschko

[Neuraxis]

This fight ain't happening. Mark my words.

Yeah for some reason I don't Byrd will fight Wlad either. It makes him look like a pretty big coward. And instead of starting a new thread, here's the latest Malinowski article on the fight:

Has Byrd Been Cornered?
27.02.05 - By Scoop Malinowski

The pressure is on IBF Heavyweight champion Chris Byrd now. The highest powers of the sport - HBO, Don King and the IBF would like Byrd to defend his title against 6th-rated Wladimir Klitschko in Germany in April. Byrd's contracted minumum of $2.5 million per fight with his promoter King has reportedly been raised to $3 million (also added to entice Byrd is an automatic rematch clause should he lose his title).

Yet still Byrd is resisting this lucrative plan. Instead, Byrd says he prefers to fight Monte Barrett next. But there are a few problems with that idea. Byrd vs. Barrett is a non-draw. HBO does not want to televise it. Don King does not want to promote it. And presumably, the IBF would rather see a sanctioning fee from a fight with Klitschko in it than Barrett.

And Barrett himself has other, more prosperous opportunities than a Chris Byrd fight. Barrett is currently the WBC mandatory challenger for Vitali Klitschko.

So it looks very much like Byrd's Monte Barrett-escape hatch option is an implausible one.

What options does this leave Byrd with? Well, if Byrd truly is dead-set on avoiding this potential career-best purse with Wladimir, he does have a few alternative routes he can consider. Perhaps he might choose to retire as champion, like Lennox Lewis. Or maybe he can pray that Showtime, ESPN or Best Damn Sports Show will unexpectedly jump in and offer Byrd $2.5 or $3 million to fight Barrett or Valuev or Kirk Johnson or who knows even Rid**** Bowe. You can not rule anything out in the crazy world of boxing. Who knows, maybe Byrd will offer title shots to George Foreman or Larry Holmes. Or maybe Byrd will vacate the IBF Heavyweight title and move down to challenge for the newly-vacant Cruiserweight belt. Who knows? If Byrd actually will snub $3 million AND a guaranteed rematch clause to fight Wladimir Klitschko, he is probably capable of anything, logical or illogical.

But it seems most likely that Byrd will eventually accept and obey his obligation as a champion and face this challenge, with the courage, pride and guile that everyone in boxing knows he has.

In the meantime of this curious drama, the action has taken a pause. There is now a distinct calm, as if before the looming storm. Byrd is cornered, with his back against the ropes and his career and reputation on the line. What will he choose to do? What will he say?

No doubt it is going to be very interesting to discover when and what the next decision will be from this cagey, crafty and spiritual IBF Heavyweight champion.

[marvdave]

I have and will continue to be very critical of Wlads chin and stamina. I will also note his obvious style advantage against Byrd. Byrd will not be able to do anything to the chin of Wlad, becuase he has no punch and also will not be able to find Wlad's chin. Wlad is one of the best technical boxers in the division. He will again do a number against Byrd. His long jab and big right hand is tailor made to ko byrd. I look for a ko win for Wlad. Wlads problems will be against the larger heavys with power.

[joeboxer]

The article says that Bryd is in a corner with his back against the ropes. Well bryd is pretty good againts the ropes if you ask me. I think Bryd will get out of this fight. I could see him re-matching Golata or McCline, or probably fighting the winner of Toney/Ruiz. Also he could fight Vitali, baby Joe Mesi, or Vlauev.

I think the winner of Toney vs Ruiz will probably be what happens if Bryd gets out of fighting Wvlad.

[leff]

If wlad paces himself and jabbs i cant see byrd winning this fight.

Okay so wlad is more gunshy than at their last clash but i wont matter against byrd waterpistol.

Byrd is slower than last time and that can result in being hit clean, so i see wlad by ud ore tko this time.

If wlad had the stamina the last time he will have it this time too.

And someone wrote earlier one the thread that it shouldnt be in germany.
Why the ****???

[Drunken Cat]

I'm thinking this is a pretty good fight for Wlad. since he holds a win over Byrd already and has a huge size advantage. However, Byrd may win if he can force a fast pace and lay the pressure on Wlad. I still have to pick Wlad. though to win, despite his recent fights. I hope this fight happens, it should be a good one.

[hollister]

I seriously doubt that Byrd will be able to put much pressure on Wlad, just because of the reach difference, and Wlad's considerably harder jab, a punch he always comes foreward behind. I like Byrd, and I appreciate his skill and talent, as much as I hate watching him, but I can't see him being aggressive against Wlad, something he would almost certainly have to do in order to get in punching range against a taller fighter with a longer reach. I'm not saying it's impossible, but he would have to fight his ass off, maybe even pull a rabbit out of his ass to win this one.

[Slipx]

well.

we all know what happened the last time wlad fought a good southpaw.

sanders landed the straight left hand at will, it was nasty. im sure wlad has brushed up on his southpaw experience but still. i can still remember hearing lampley after the first one landed.

"Left hook lands for Klitschko!"
"Left hand by Sanders, snaps (pauses) Klitschko's head back!"



also wlad has a very bad habit of backing straight up...damn that is a baaaad habit if you are glass chinned like him

[phallus]

if Byrd fights Wladdy again, with his new "stand and trade" style, it'd be wise for him to spend all the first rounds going to the body, and i mean really aggressively to the body then go upstairs to shatter Wlad's chin.

[Neuraxis]

The talk on the street is that if Byrd continues to duck Wlad, that Wlad will fight Michael Moorer.

[ejk22]

The talk on the street is that if Byrd continues to duck Wlad, that Wlad will fight Michael Moorer.

Wlad has nothing to gain by fighting Moorer. What I see happening is if Golota beats Brewster, then Don King will push for a Wladimir vs Golota fight for the WBO belt. That fight would probably generate money on pay per view. Wlad will probably need a tune-up match before that occurs though and I just don't see it being against a guy like Moorer who even though has a glass jaw is a southpaw and can punch fairly well.