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Floyd Mayweather's uncle Jeff writes very good articles but doesn't get much recoginition, heres a good article about my boy Chris. Its a little old but still good.
CHRIS BYRD: FRUSTRATED!
By Jeff Mayweather
A Heavyweight Championship fight took place in Reno this past Saturday night between IBF champion Chris Byrd and DaVarryl Williamson. It was very frustrating to watch, as Chris Byrd, always elusive and extremely hard to hit, appeared to be just going through the motions.
Williamson also had something to do with it, as he took away Byrd's stick and move style, forcing Byrd to become the aggressor, not allowing Byrd to befuddle him with his uncanny defense. Williamson gave a good account of himself, and had he stepped it up a little more it is very possible he could be the new IBF Champion of the World.
Byrd has been inactive for over eleven months and it showed, his timing appeared to be way off compiled with his personal fight with his promoter Don King, which is becoming very ugly. Unfortunately, Byrd appears to be one of those fighters that carries his baggage into the ring, which is a very bad thing and if he can't eventually get this situation resolved he soon may be dethroned by a less talented fighter.
It has been a long time since the boxing world has witnessed the brilliance Byrd possesses in the ring. He has just been barely winning each fight since capturing the IBF world title from Evander Holyfield. Every fight since then has been either a split decision or a majority decision. Split Decision wins against Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Jameel McCline and Saturday night another boring decision against Williamson.
The post-fight interview told the entire story. Byrd is not in a happy place right now in his life and it shows in the ring. He spoke about being under paid to being put on the shelf; he even spoke on the fact that his promoter Don King was in Germany with Larry Donald in a fight that was a title eliminator while his fight was a championship bout. Byrd even went as far as to say he might just walk away from boxing altogether if he can't get any of these issues resolved.
Adding insult to Byrd's already fractured ego, his fight was the undercard fight of former World Champion James Toney where Toney fought Dominick Guinn in a non-title fight.
Byrd is looking for respect, but the best way for him to get it is to keep winning. However, he will certainly have to let some of his frustrations out on his opponents rather than venting to the television analyst. He can't help you. Byrd, you have to help yourself by finding the fighter that once appeared to be special with his matrix- like moves, the fighter who confused his opponents and left them swinging at air. Until then, Chris Byrd will become an afterthought.
Byrd's style has never been endearing to the boxing public and lately it has become a lot worse. He needs to find a way to reach down within himself and at least give the boxing public what they have come to expect of him. He needs to find a way to channel all his frustrations into the ring in a positive way or he may very well need to walk away from boxing or at least get from under King's clutches and find peace and move on.
CHRIS BYRD: FRUSTRATED!
By Jeff Mayweather
A Heavyweight Championship fight took place in Reno this past Saturday night between IBF champion Chris Byrd and DaVarryl Williamson. It was very frustrating to watch, as Chris Byrd, always elusive and extremely hard to hit, appeared to be just going through the motions.
Williamson also had something to do with it, as he took away Byrd's stick and move style, forcing Byrd to become the aggressor, not allowing Byrd to befuddle him with his uncanny defense. Williamson gave a good account of himself, and had he stepped it up a little more it is very possible he could be the new IBF Champion of the World.
Byrd has been inactive for over eleven months and it showed, his timing appeared to be way off compiled with his personal fight with his promoter Don King, which is becoming very ugly. Unfortunately, Byrd appears to be one of those fighters that carries his baggage into the ring, which is a very bad thing and if he can't eventually get this situation resolved he soon may be dethroned by a less talented fighter.
It has been a long time since the boxing world has witnessed the brilliance Byrd possesses in the ring. He has just been barely winning each fight since capturing the IBF world title from Evander Holyfield. Every fight since then has been either a split decision or a majority decision. Split Decision wins against Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Jameel McCline and Saturday night another boring decision against Williamson.
The post-fight interview told the entire story. Byrd is not in a happy place right now in his life and it shows in the ring. He spoke about being under paid to being put on the shelf; he even spoke on the fact that his promoter Don King was in Germany with Larry Donald in a fight that was a title eliminator while his fight was a championship bout. Byrd even went as far as to say he might just walk away from boxing altogether if he can't get any of these issues resolved.
Adding insult to Byrd's already fractured ego, his fight was the undercard fight of former World Champion James Toney where Toney fought Dominick Guinn in a non-title fight.
Byrd is looking for respect, but the best way for him to get it is to keep winning. However, he will certainly have to let some of his frustrations out on his opponents rather than venting to the television analyst. He can't help you. Byrd, you have to help yourself by finding the fighter that once appeared to be special with his matrix- like moves, the fighter who confused his opponents and left them swinging at air. Until then, Chris Byrd will become an afterthought.
Byrd's style has never been endearing to the boxing public and lately it has become a lot worse. He needs to find a way to reach down within himself and at least give the boxing public what they have come to expect of him. He needs to find a way to channel all his frustrations into the ring in a positive way or he may very well need to walk away from boxing or at least get from under King's clutches and find peace and move on.
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