Chris Byrd

Last updated
Chris Byrd
Born
Christopher Cornelius Byrd

(1970-08-15) August 15, 1970 (age 53)
Flint, Michigan, U.S.
Other namesRapid Fire
Statistics
Weight(s) Heavyweight
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Reach74 in (188 cm)
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights47
Wins41
Wins by KO22
Losses5
Draws1
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1992 Barcelona Middleweight

Christopher Cornelius Byrd (born August 15, 1970) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2009. He is a two-time world heavyweight champion, having first won the WBO title in 2000 after an upset corner stoppage over then-undefeated Vitali Klitschko. In his first title defense later that year, he lost to Vitali's brother Wladimir Klitschko. In 2002, Byrd defeated Evander Holyfield to win the IBF heavyweight title for his second reign as world champion. He made four successful defenses until losing his title again to Wladimir Klitschko in a 2006 rematch. He was ranked by BoxRec in the world's top 10 heavyweight from 1998 to 2004, reaching his highest ranking of No.3 in 2000. [1]

Contents

As an amateur, Byrd represented the United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal in the middleweight division. He is also a three-time national amateur champion, winning the light middleweight title in 1989, and the middleweight title in 1991 and 1992.

Early life

Chris Byrd was the youngest of eight children growing up in Flint, Michigan. He began boxing at age 5, training in his father (Joe Sr.)'s Joe Byrd Boxing Academy. His father continued to train and manage Byrd as a professional. Byrd attended Flint Northwestern High School.

Amateur career

Byrd began competing in the ring at age 10, since then he had 285 amateur fights in various weight classes, compiled an impressive record of 275 wins, 10 losses. He was a three-time U.S. amateur champion (1989, 1991, and 1992). He was on the 1991 U.S. National boxing Team that became the first (and only) U.S. team to score a tie against the heralded Cuban team. Byrd won the silver medal in the 1992 Barcelona summer Olympics as a middleweight, losing to Cuba's Ariel Hernández in the final.

Amateur highlights

Professional career

1993–1998: early career

Byrd turned professional on January 28, 1993, knocking out 10 of his first 13 opponents. Byrd moved up to heavyweight three fights into his professional career.

Byrd remained undefeated for his first 26 fights, knocking off then-notable opponents like Phil Jackson, Lionel Butler, Uriah Grant, Bert Cooper, Craig Peterson, Frankie Swindell, Jimmy Thunder, undefeated Eliecer Castillo and Ross Puritty.

1999: Byrd vs. Ibeabuchi, comeback victories

However, in 1999, Byrd's undefeated record came to a dead end when he fought undefeated Ike Ibeabuchi. With 48 seconds left in the fifth round, a left-handed bolo punch followed with a right hook sent Byrd to the canvas, face first.

2000: first world title, facing the Klitschkos

During the last week of March 2000, Byrd was offered the chance to be the replacement (for Donovan Ruddock) against undefeated champion Vitali Klitschko in Berlin, Germany (Klitschko's adopted home country) for the WBO Heavyweight Title. He therefore had only seven days to prepare for the fight (not the customary 6–12 weeks). Byrd was trailing after nine rounds by scores of 88–83 (on two cards) and 89–82 (on one card), i.e. losing seven or eight of those rounds. However, Byrd was arguably Vitali's most difficult opponent as he landed clean shots and made him miss regularly, resulting Klitschko severely injured his shoulder and being unable to continue after the ninth round. The injury that Klitschko suffered was a torn shoulder rotator cuff, which required major surgery and a 7-month lay-off. Despite trailing on all three of the judges' scorecards, Byrd walked away the winner by a technical knockout due to the injury to Klitschko. While most consider this a fluke win for Byrd, nobody (including Lennox Lewis) gave Vitali a more difficult fight before that and since. Vitali landed at a much lower percentage and while he threw more, Byrd almost landed as many punches as him.

Six months later, Byrd was back in Germany to defend the title against Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali's younger, more agile brother. Twelve rounds later, Byrd had lost a lopsided unanimous decision and the WBO belt after being knocked down twice.

2001–2002: comeback victories, second world title

Byrd returned to the U.S., signed with Don King and beat Maurice Harris to win the United States Boxing Association heavyweight belt in Madison Square Garden. He was now a top-five contender for the IBF title. After winning his next match (a title defense against New Zealand's top contender David Tua) Byrd eventually received his mandatory shot at the vacant IBF world Heavyweight Championship against Evander Holyfield in Atlantic City. On December 14, 2002, Byrd won a unanimous decision and the IBF title.

2003–2005: four successful title defenses

Byrd has successfully defended the IBF belt against: Fres Oquendo in 2003, a highly entertaining draw with Andrew Golota and a decision win over friend Jameel McCline in 2004, and DaVarryl Williamson in 2005. Byrd's fight with Golota did 75,000 buys on pay-per-view. [2]

2006: Klitschko rematch

On April 22, 2006, Byrd faced Wladimir Klitschko for the second time. Byrd was making his fifth defense of his IBF title and the fight was also sanctioned by the International Boxing Organization for its title, which had been vacated upon the retirement of Lennox Lewis. The fight took place at SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany. Byrd was heavily dominated throughout the fight, was down in the fifth, and again in the seventh. Referee Wayne Kelly stopped the fight after the second knockdown when Byrd had an open cut near his eyes. Klitschko won in a TKO.

2007–2010: Povetkin bout, move to light heavyweight, and retirement

After losing to Alexander Povetkin, Byrd would drop about 40 pounds to return to the light heavyweight division. He fought Shaun George on May 16, 2008, at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. Byrd was dropped by George in round one and rocked again in round two. George then hammered Byrd with his right hand at will, finally flooring Byrd twice in the ninth round. Byrd beat the count after the first knockdown, but was then battered down again and the bout was waved off by the referee. [3]

In 2010, Byrd officially announced his retirement from boxing. [4]

Life outside boxing

Byrd hosts a weekly video podcast, entitled "Byrd's Eye View", which showcases former boxers as well as current professional and champion-level fighters. [5]

Additional information

Professional boxing record

47 fights41 wins5 losses
By knockout224
By decision191
Draws1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
47Win41–5–1Matthias SandowTKO4 (8), 1:30Mar 21, 2009 Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Germany
46Loss40–5–1 Shaun George TKO9 (10), 2:42May 16, 2008 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
45Loss40–4–1 Alexander Povetkin TKO11 (12), 1:52Oct 27, 2007 Messe, Erfurt, Germany
44Win40–3–1Paul MarinaccioRTD7 (10), 0:01Apr 18, 2007Clifford Park, Nassau, Bahamas
43Loss39–3–1 Wladimir Klitschko TKO7 (12), 0:41 Apr 22, 2006 SAP Arena, Mannheim, GermanyLost IBF heavyweight title;
For vacant IBO heavyweight title
42Win39–2–1 DaVarryl Williamson UD12Oct 1, 2005 Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.Retained IBF heavyweight title
41Win38–2–1 Jameel McCline SD12 Nov 13, 2004 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained IBF heavyweight title
40Draw37–2–1 Andrew Golota SD12 Apr 17, 2004 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained IBF heavyweight title
39Win37–2 Fres Oquendo UD12Sep 20, 2003 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.Retained IBF heavyweight title
38Win36–2 Evander Holyfield UD12 Dec 14, 2002 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won vacant IBF heavyweight title
37Win35–2Jeff PeguesTKO3 (10), 2:43Jun 8, 2002Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
36Win34–2 David Tua UD12Aug 18, 2001 Cox Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained IBF–USBA heavyweight title
35Win33–2 Maurice Harris UD12 May 12, 2001 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Won vacant IBF–USBA heavyweight title
34Win32–2David VedderUD10Jan 19, 2001Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
33Loss31–2 Wladimir Klitschko UD12 Oct 14, 2000 Kölnarena, Cologne, GermanyLost WBO heavyweight title
32Win31–1 Vitali Klitschko RTD9 (12), 3:00 Apr 1, 2000 Estrel Hotel, Berlin, GermanyWon WBO heavyweight title
31Win30–1David WashingtonTKO10 (10)Jan 19, 2000Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
30Win29–1Val SmithKO2 (10), 2:39Oct 22, 1999 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
29Win28–1 Jose Ribalta RTD3 (10), 3:00Jun 3, 1999 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
28Win27–1John SargentTKO2 (10), 2:03May 8, 1999 Silver Star Casino, Philadelphia, Mississippi, U.S.
27Loss26–1 Ike Ibeabuchi TKO5 (10), 2:59Mar 20, 1999 Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
26Win26–0 Ross Puritty UD10Jul 14, 1998 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
25Win25–0 Eliecer Castillo UD10May 30, 1998Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24Win24–0Derek AmosTKO6 (10) Mar 28, 1998 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
23Win23–0 Jimmy Thunder TKO9 (10), 1:07Dec 13, 1997 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
22Win22–0Frankie SwindellUD10Jun 20, 1997 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21Win21–0 Bert Cooper UD10Mar 18, 1997IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
20Win20–0Craig PetersenTKO6 (10), 2:22Jan 28, 1997The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
19Win19–0Levi BillupsUD10Oct 8, 1996IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
18Win18–0 Uriah Grant UD10Aug 6, 1996IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
17Win17–0 Biko Botowamungu UD10May 17, 1996 Stock Arena, Monroe, Michigan, U.S.
16Win16–0 Lionel Butler TKO8 (10), 0:57Apr 23, 1996The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
15Win15–0Jeff WoodenUD10Jan 30, 1996The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
14Win14–0 Phil Jackson UD12Nov 21, 1996The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
13Win13–0 Nathaniel Fitch KO7 (10)Oct 3, 1995IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
12Win12–0Tim PullerTKO5 (10), 2:55Jul 18, 1995IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
11Win11–0 Arthur Williams SD10May 23, 1995The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
10Win10–0Joel HummRTD4 (8)Apr 26, 1995The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
9Win9–0Mike RouseTKO6 (12), 1:56Mar 28, 1995IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
8Win8–0Frankie HinesTKO2, 0:59Jan 1, 1995 Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
7Win7–0Ron GulletteTKO5Nov 1, 1994Flint, Michigan, U.S.
6Win6–0Waxxen FikesTKO4 (8), 2:49Oct 4, 1994 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
5Win5–0Max KeyKO1Aug 30, 1994Flint, Michigan, U.S.
4Win4–0Gerard O'NealTKO2 (6)Jun 7, 1994Flint, Michigan, U.S.
3Win3–0Exum SpeightUD6Mar 22, 1994Flint, Michigan, U.S.
2Win2–0Mike SullivanTKO1May 15, 1993Flint, Michigan, U.S.
1Win1–0Gary SmithUD6Jan 28, 1993 IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.

Television viewership

Germany

DateFightViewership (avg.)NetworkSource(s)
April 1, 2000
 Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd
9,790,000
 Sat.1 [8]
October 14, 2000
 Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko
9,390,000
Sat.1 [9]
April 24, 2006
 Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko II
10,170,000
 Das Erste [10]
October 27, 2007
Chris Byrd vs. Alexander Povetkin
4,570,000
Das Erste [11]
Total viewership33,920,000

US pay-per-view bouts

DateFight Pay-per-view buysNetworkSource(s)
April 17, 2004 Chris Byrd vs. Andrew Golota
75,000
 Spike TV/King Vision [12] [13]
December 11, 2004Chris Byrd vs. Jameel McCline
120,000
 HBO PPV [14] [12] [15]
Total sales195,000

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "BoxRec's Annual Ratings: Heavyweight Annuals". BoxRec. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  2. ↑ Rafael, Dan (2004-05-12). "Where are the new heavyweights?". USA Today . Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". www.fightnews.com. Archived from the original on 20 May 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ "Chris Byrd: Nobody beats Wladimir Klitschko right now". eastsideboxing.com. 4 June 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Chris Byrd". YouTube. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  6. ↑ "Beyond the Ropes (Video 2008)". IMDb. 14 October 2008. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  7. ↑ Munch MaQuchi (21 October 2011). "Klitschko (2011)". IMDb. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  8. ↑ 9,79 Millionen sahen WM-Kampf von Vitali Klitschko: Beste SAT.1-Quote seit fast zwei Jahren (ger.)
  9. ↑ Wladimir Klitschko is the new world champion (German)
  10. ↑ More than 10 million viewers saw Klitschko fight (German)
  11. ↑ Das Ertse and RTL show strong numbers Archived 2020-03-03 at the Wayback Machine (ger.)
  12. 1 2 Where are the new heavyweights? By Dan Rafael, USA TODAY
  13. ↑ 2004-04-17 Chris Byrd vs Andrew Golota - IBF World Heavyweight Title
  14. ↑ Chris Byrd vs Jameel Mccline HBO Pay Per View November 13, 2004
  15. ↑ "Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune . 7 January 2005. Archived from the original on 2022-05-24.
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Frankie Liles 		U.S. light middleweight champion
1989		Next:
Paul Vaden
Previous:
Michael DeMoss		 U.S. middleweight champion
1991, 1992		Next:
Eric Wright
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
David Tua 		IBF–USBA heavyweight champion
May 12, 2001 – December 14, 2002
Won world title		Vacant
Title next held by
Tye Fields
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBO heavyweight champion
April 1, 2000 – October 14, 2000 		Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Lennox Lewis 		IBF heavyweight champion
December 14, 2002 – April 22, 2006 		Succeeded by
Wladimir Klitschko
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