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Although he hasn’t been the most popular of prize fighters, not by a long shot, Chris Byrd has remained perched precariously at the top of the heavyweight pile of debris for almost five years now. In fact the articulate young man who began his career as a middleweight has produced an enviable resume. His willingness to step up and take on all comers in a division where he is usually outweighed and outsized is a remarkable testimony to both his fighting spirit and his sense of pride.
Despite being criticized as “boring” or “too small” and even being largely ignored by his own promoter Don King, who he has since dismissed, the undersized heavyweight now sits atop the division if for only that he refuses to go away. Should he beat Wladimir Klitschko in their rematch this Saturday, Chris Byrd, whether you like him or not, will be the number one heavyweight in the world.
Now if you disagree with that notion let’s run down the list of opponents he’s taken on since he jumped into the heavyweight mix and then you tell me who should be ranked above him. Lionel Butler, Bert Cooper, Ike Ibeabuchi, Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko, Maurice Harris, David Tua, Evander Holyfield, Fres Oquendo, Andrew Golota and Jameel McCline. His tricky, defensive style may leave some observers yawning but you can’t begrudge the man his respect because he keeps climbing in the ring against anyone who will face him and that, in itself, is the essence of a true prize fighter. [details]
Despite being criticized as “boring” or “too small” and even being largely ignored by his own promoter Don King, who he has since dismissed, the undersized heavyweight now sits atop the division if for only that he refuses to go away. Should he beat Wladimir Klitschko in their rematch this Saturday, Chris Byrd, whether you like him or not, will be the number one heavyweight in the world.
Now if you disagree with that notion let’s run down the list of opponents he’s taken on since he jumped into the heavyweight mix and then you tell me who should be ranked above him. Lionel Butler, Bert Cooper, Ike Ibeabuchi, Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko, Maurice Harris, David Tua, Evander Holyfield, Fres Oquendo, Andrew Golota and Jameel McCline. His tricky, defensive style may leave some observers yawning but you can’t begrudge the man his respect because he keeps climbing in the ring against anyone who will face him and that, in itself, is the essence of a true prize fighter. [details]