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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]
Chris Byrd | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | Christopher Cornelius Byrd August 15, 1970 Flint, Michigan, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Other names | Rapid Fire | ||||||||||||||
| Statistics | |||||||||||||||
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||||||||||||||
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) | ||||||||||||||
| Stance | Southpaw | ||||||||||||||
| Boxing record | |||||||||||||||
| Total fights | 47 | ||||||||||||||
| Wins | 41 | ||||||||||||||
| Wins by KO | 22 | ||||||||||||||
| Losses | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Draws | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
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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.
Chris Byrd was the youngest of eight children growing up in Flint, Michigan. He began boxing at age 5, training in his father's (Joe Sr.) Joe Byrd Boxing Academy. His father continued to train and manage Byrd as a professional. Byrd attended Flint Northwestern High School.
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
- Lost in the 1988 Olympic Trials at Light Welterweight, losing to eventual United States representative Todd Foster.
- 1989 United States Amateur Light Middleweight Champion
- 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle, lost to Torsten Schmitz (East Germany) on points, in Light Middleweight competition.
- 1991 United States Amateur Middleweight Champion
- 1991 World Championships, lost at Middlweight to Ramon Garbey (Cuba)
- 1992 United States Amateur Middleweight Champion
- 1992 Middleweight Gold Medalist at Canada Cup. Results were:
- Justin Crawford (Australia) won on points
- Joe Laryea (Ghana) won on points
- Igor Anashkin (Russia) won on points
- 1992 Qualified as a Middleweight at the Olympic Trials in Worcester, MA. Results were:
- Derrick James won on points
- William Joppy won on points
- Mike DeMoss won on points
- Eric Carr won on points, this bout was at the Olympic Box-Offs in Phoenix, AZ*
- Captured the Middleweight Silver Medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Results were:
- Mark Edwards (Great Britain) 21-3
- Alexander Lebziak (Russia/Unified Team) 16-7
- Ahmed Dine (Algeria) 21-2
- Chris Johnson (Canada) 17-3
- Ariel Hernandez (Cuba) 7-12
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]
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]
- Byrd's hometown is Flint, Michigan, where he trained along with his brother Patrick Byrd and sister Tracy Byrd. Byrd's other sister, Laurie Byrd, is a professional basketball coach. Byrd is also a first cousin of Lamon Brewster, himself a former world heavyweight champion and two-time Klitschko opponent.
- Byrd's corner consisted entirely of family members.
- Byrd made an appearance in the 2008 documentary Beyond the Ropes.[6]
- Byrd also makes an appearance in the 2011 documentary Klitschko, in which he discusses his trio of title bouts with the brothers.[7]
| 47 fights | 41 wins | 5 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 22 | 4 |
| By decision | 19 | 1 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | Win | 41–5–1 | Matthias Sandow | TKO | 4 (8), 1:30 | Mar 21, 2009 | Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Germany | |
| 46 | Loss | 40–5–1 | Shaun George | TKO | 9 (10), 2:42 | May 16, 2008 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 45 | Loss | 40–4–1 | Alexander Povetkin | TKO | 11 (12), 1:52 | Oct 27, 2007 | Messe, Erfurt, Germany | |
| 44 | Win | 40–3–1 | Paul Marinaccio | RTD | 7 (10), 0:01 | Apr 18, 2007 | Clifford Park, Nassau, Bahamas | |
| 43 | Loss | 39–3–1 | Wladimir Klitschko | TKO | 7 (12), 0:41 | Apr 22, 2006 | SAP Arena, Mannheim, Germany | Lost IBF heavyweight title; For vacant IBO heavyweight title |
| 42 | Win | 39–2–1 | DaVarryl Williamson | UD | 12 | Oct 1, 2005 | Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | Retained IBF heavyweight title |
| 41 | Win | 38–2–1 | Jameel McCline | SD | 12 | Nov 13, 2004 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained IBF heavyweight title |
| 40 | Draw | 37–2–1 | Andrew Golota | SD | 12 | Apr 17, 2004 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained IBF heavyweight title |
| 39 | Win | 37–2 | Fres Oquendo | UD | 12 | Sep 20, 2003 | Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S. | Retained IBF heavyweight title |
| 38 | Win | 36–2 | Evander Holyfield | UD | 12 | Dec 14, 2002 | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Won vacant IBF heavyweight title |
| 37 | Win | 35–2 | Jeff Pegues | TKO | 3 (10), 2:43 | Jun 8, 2002 | Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 34–2 | David Tua | UD | 12 | Aug 18, 2001 | Cox Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained IBF–USBA heavyweight title |
| 35 | Win | 33–2 | Maurice Harris | UD | 12 | May 12, 2001 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won vacant IBF–USBA heavyweight title |
| 34 | Win | 32–2 | David Vedder | UD | 10 | Jan 19, 2001 | Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 33 | Loss | 31–2 | Wladimir Klitschko | UD | 12 | Oct 14, 2000 | Kölnarena, Cologne, Germany | Lost WBO heavyweight title |
| 32 | Win | 31–1 | Vitali Klitschko | RTD | 9 (12), 3:00 | Apr 1, 2000 | Estrel Hotel, Berlin, Germany | Won WBO heavyweight title |
| 31 | Win | 30–1 | David Washington | TKO | 10 (10) | Jan 19, 2000 | Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 29–1 | Val Smith | KO | 2 (10), 2:39 | Oct 22, 1999 | Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 28–1 | Jose Ribalta | RTD | 3 (10), 3:00 | Jun 3, 1999 | Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 27–1 | John Sargent | TKO | 2 (10), 2:03 | May 8, 1999 | Silver Star Casino, Philadelphia, Mississippi, U.S. | |
| 27 | Loss | 26–1 | Ike Ibeabuchi | TKO | 5 (10), 2:59 | Mar 20, 1999 | Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | Ross Puritty | UD | 10 | Jul 14, 1998 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Eliecer Castillo | UD | 10 | May 30, 1998 | Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Derek Amos | TKO | 6 (10) | Mar 28, 1998 | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Jimmy Thunder | TKO | 9 (10), 1:07 | Dec 13, 1997 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Frankie Swindell | UD | 10 | Jun 20, 1997 | Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Bert Cooper | UD | 10 | Mar 18, 1997 | IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Craig Petersen | TKO | 6 (10), 2:22 | Jan 28, 1997 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Levi Billups | UD | 10 | Oct 8, 1996 | IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Uriah Grant | UD | 10 | Aug 6, 1996 | IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Biko Botowamungu | UD | 10 | May 17, 1996 | Stock Arena, Monroe, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Lionel Butler | TKO | 8 (10), 0:57 | Apr 23, 1996 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Jeff Wooden | UD | 10 | Jan 30, 1996 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Phil Jackson | UD | 12 | Nov 21, 1996 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Nathaniel Fitch | KO | 7 (10) | Oct 3, 1995 | IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Tim Puller | TKO | 5 (10), 2:55 | Jul 18, 1995 | IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Arthur Williams | SD | 10 | May 23, 1995 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Joel Humm | RTD | 4 (8) | Apr 26, 1995 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Mike Rouse | TKO | 6 (12), 1:56 | Mar 28, 1995 | IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Frankie Hines | TKO | 2, 0:59 | Jan 1, 1995 | Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Ron Gullette | TKO | 5 | Nov 1, 1994 | Flint, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Waxxen Fikes | TKO | 4 (8), 2:49 | Oct 4, 1994 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Max Key | KO | 1 | Aug 30, 1994 | Flint, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Gerard O'Neal | TKO | 2 (6) | Jun 7, 1994 | Flint, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Exum Speight | UD | 6 | Mar 22, 1994 | Flint, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Mike Sullivan | TKO | 1 | May 15, 1993 | Flint, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Gary Smith | UD | 6 | Jan 28, 1993 | IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S. |
Germany
| Date | Fight | Viewership (avg.) | Network | Source(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 viewership | 33,920,000 |
US pay-per-view bouts
| Date | Fight | Pay-per-view buys | Network | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 17, 2004 | Chris Byrd vs. Andrew Golota | 75,000 |
Spike TV/King Vision | [12][13] |
| December 11, 2004 | Chris Byrd vs. Jameel McCline | 120,000 |
HBO PPV | [14][12][15] |
| Total sales | 195,000 |
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