Byrd's Marketability

[Renegade]

I'm throwing is out there because I've been very impressed with the overall knowledge level of the contributor's on this board.
Would Byrd's marketability increase if he was to drop down to lt hvywt? General consensus seems to hold that he has lost his speed and defensive ability at hvywt, so I was wondering if he followed Shane's and DLH's lead, by coming down in weight, if it would have any effect on his skills. Or does anybody give a **** at this point?

[Kid Achilles]

Byrd has gained too much muscle mass to drop down to light heavy. In addition to this, I think it would do him more harm than good to go down in weight, as he'd be facing quicker opponents. Byrd's at his best where he is now.

[mECHsLAVE]

175 is out of his reach, but it's a moot point, really. There's only *maybe* Tarver to get him the kind of money he makes with EVERY defense of his HW title now.

The real question is what kind of marketability does Byrd retain without his belt? I say very little.

And I think Byrd agrees with me, that's why he basically isn't fighting right now. It was fight Wlad, defend his belt against the #4 contender and make $3.5M for Germany or $2.5M for US ...or not fight.

He chose to not fight. Why? Because he knows that's a terrible matchup for him. He weighed the pros and cons. Lose the title to Wlad yet make $2.5M, but make $500k for my next comeback fight. OR not make anything, hope Wlad goes away, make $2.5M against Barrett in his next fight, win and make $2.5M in his next fight after that.

It was a good $$ decision, but it certainly didn't gain him any fans. And he can NEVER use that old cliche "I'll fight anyone, anywhere, anytime" cause we damn well know that's not true! lol

[Bozo_no no]

I think Byrd will end up fighting Toney after Toney beats Ruiz.

That will bring him some good money.

It was a smart move not to fight Wlad. It is a bad style match up for him, because he doesn't carry a punch to hurt Wlad.

But at the same time, there's no way Wlad should be fighting for any title (even the WBO) until he redeems himself.

Byrd is in the same boat as Ruiz and Vitali None of them will make much money unless they are fighting Mike Tyson.

[Neuraxis]

Byrd's Marketability

[Stickman]

Yep, you guys are 100% correct....Byrd will never see 175 again...but he could definitely make cruiser now, with the weight increase to 200, and that's really where I'd like to see him fight anyway. He's too small to fight against some of the giants we have in the heavies, and it makes for boring fights. If he were more like Holyfield, it'd be OK for him to stay and **** with the big fellas, but he's only managed a single KO in his last 8 wins...that's a strong indicator that he's fighting in the wrong division. And besides, I'd love to see him in the ring against Mormeck.

[Mr. Untouchable]

Byrd's Marketability

Byrd has done enough to get his name out there, now if he wants some money, then he is going to have to fight somebody. He is fighting a lot of chumps that are still putting him to the test, he needs to start fightign some big names, or atleast start laying heads to bed, if he wants to marketability of some of the other boxing champions out there.

[marvdave]

Byrd is boring and has no marketability. I do give him credit for fighting tough fights however. I would be interested in Byrd-Toney bout. It's about the only Byrd fight that would catch my attention.

[hollister]

Yep, you guys are 100% correct....Byrd will never see 175 again...but he could definitely make cruiser now, with the weight increase to 200, and that's really where I'd like to see him fight anyway. He's too small to fight against some of the giants we have in the heavies, and it makes for boring fights. If he were more like Holyfield, it'd be OK for him to stay and **** with the big fellas, but he's only managed a single KO in his last 8 wins...that's a strong indicator that he's fighting in the wrong division. And besides, I'd love to see him in the ring against Mormeck.

I agree. Hell, he'd be a border-line puncher at cruiser, doesn't he still weigh in fully clothed? He's probably not much above cruiser now lol

[hollister]

Byrd is boring and has no marketability. I do give him credit for fighting tough fights however. I would be interested in Byrd-Toney bout. It's about the only Byrd fight that would catch my attention.

Maybe he wouldn't be so boring if he were fighting guys that wouldn't knock his head off lol