Byrd targets cruiserweight title

[abdiel2k3]

smart move
but i think its a lil too late
but who knows
im sure he could nab a title

[K-DOGG]

Defeated Byrd now targets cruiserweight title


Byrd ponders whether to fight on

By Ant Evans: Vanquished former two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd, who was brutally alleviated of his IBF world title by Wladimir Klitschko in Germany last weekend, is now considering his options in boxing. When a 35-year-old takes the kind of beating Byrd did in those one-sided rounds v Klitschko, the subject of retirement is always on the agenda but Byrd's long-time lawyer and advisor, John Hornewer, told SecondsOut that an intriguing jump down in division to cruiserweight could be the exit strategy for the former WBO and IBF heavyweight champ.

Hornewer said: "If with his style and sheer size Wladimir is the one guy who Chris can't beat with his size and style - then so be it. Wlad is the only active heavyweight to have beaten Chris, and when you look at both fighters, I don't think there's any shame in that.

"The future depends on what Chris believes he should do but, after medical tests to make sure he's ok, if he want to continue there are big fights he will still win with his skills. Chris would beat James Toney, Antonio Tarver or Joe Mesi and we could also go down to cruiserweight and fight (undisputed 200lbs king) O'Neil Bell."

Evander Holyfield, whom Byrd outpointed in 2002, is currently the only fighter to ever win cruiserweight and heavyweight titles. Hornewer believes his client could join the future Hall of Famer - only going down, not up, in weight division.

Hornewer is confident that Byrd, now 35, could slim down to 200lbs despite the Flint born southpaw not weighing anything like that weight since the mid-1990s.

"Oh, sure Chris could make cruiserweight," he said. "Absolutely. Chris is really a light heavyweight or cruiserweight anyway, he's been fighting above his natural weight for years and I don't think he's got the credit he deserves for doing that. When (former middleweights) like James Toney or Roy Jones do it (fight heavyweights) it's incredible (in the eyes of the media and public) but Chris has beaten more top heavyweights than both of them and he started off as a middleweight, too."

The lawyer believes that Bell, who is anxious to cash in on his big win over Jean Marc Mormeck January, would be very tempted to fight Byrd. "It would make sense for him because what other big fights are there for him right now? And it would make sense for us because it was hard enough getting heavyweights to step up to fight Chris even when he had the IBF title!"

But whether Byrd remains at heavyweight, challenges Bell or simply retires from boxing with a 39-3-1 record and as a two-time heavyweight champ, Hornewer is immensely proud of his work with a David who beat a battalion of Goliaths.

He said: "I will always be proud of Chris, no matter what. Losing to Klitschko - there's no shame in that although I'm disappointed - although nowhere as near as Chris is - that he abandoned the gameplan after one round. De La Hoya isn't terrible because he lost to Mosley twice. I have never done better work with a client and have never had such a positive relationship with a client in my 20 years in boxing. Chris is a great guy, and this has been a most fulfilling 10 years working with him and watching someone simply overachieve in a sport that is entirely unforgiving."

Nice sentiment; but I fear it's too little too late. Byrd's 35 and past his prime. I don't see him pulling it off; but I've been wrong before.

[STEELHEAD]

I think it's the only move Byrd has left, but there are a few that will give him trouble...mainly Mormeck, Bell and also Dale Brown (who I thought actually won against Bell...this is some screwed up scoring : Judge: Richard Green 111-117 | Judge: Robert Hoyle 112-116 | Judge: Michael Pernick 113-115 ~)
It'll be interesting to see what this does to the division.

imo byrd would rule in the lower weight divisions. he's a smart cookie.don't see anyone down there who could negate byrds brains.and his power would be up to par with his opponents at lower weights. now a toney byrd would be a boxing clinic.maybe on the booring side but a chess match.both guys are probably the most intelligent boxers in those weight divisions. an in shape hungry toney at cruiser would be awesome.but i don't see the michelin man toney at this late stage in his carreer being able or hungry enough(for fame)to come down. theres still money to be made by byrd if he's still hungry.