- Chris Byrd
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Chris Byrd Statistics Real name Chris Cornelius Byrd Nickname(s) Rapid Fire Rated at Light Heavyweight
HeavyweightHeight 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Reach 74 in (188 cm) Nationality American
Born 15 August 1970
Flint, MichiganStance Southpaw Boxing record Total fights 47 Wins 41 Wins by KO 22 Losses 5 Draws 1 No contests 0 Chris Cornelius Byrd (born August 15, 1970) is a retired and former professional boxer. He is the former WBO and IBF heavyweight champion. His nickname is "Rapid Fire".
Contents
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, and compiled an impressive 275 wins in the amateur ranks. 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 Hightlights
Olympic medal record Men's Boxing Silver 1992 Barcelona Middleweight - 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
- Mike DeMoss 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
Professional 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.
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.
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 struggled greatly in the fight, 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, Klitschko severely injured his shoulder and was 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.
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.
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 shopworn legend Evander Holyfield in Atlantic City. On December 14, 2002, Byrd won a lopsided unanimous decision and the IBF title.
Byrd has successfully defended the IBF belt against: Fres Oquendo in 2003 (match ended in a controversial win for Byrd in which most people felt Oquendo won) , a highly entertaining draw with "Andrew" Golota and a decision win over friend Jameel McCline in 2004, and DaVarryl Williamson in 2005.
On April 22, 2006, Byrd lost to Wladimir Klitschko in a fight for the IBF and IBO title. 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
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 & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Byrd was dropped by George in round one and rocked again in round two. It was a sign of things to come as George 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.[1]
Retirement
Chris Byrd has officially announced that he would not be fighting anymore and therefore confirmed his retirement.[2]
Additional information
- His hometown is Flint, Michigan where he trains along with his brother Patrick Byrd, and his sister Tracy Byrd. Byrd is also a first cousin of Lamon Brewster.
- Byrd's corner consists entirely of family members.
- Byrd makes an appearance in the 2008 documentary, Beyond the Ropes.[3]
Professional boxing record
41 Wins (22 knockouts, 19 decisions), 5 Losses (4 knockouts, 1 decision), 1 Draw [2] Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes Win 41-5-1 Matthias Sandow
TKO 4 (8) 21/03/2009 Hanns-Martin-Schleyer Halle, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Loss 40-5-1 Shaun George
TKO 9 (10) 16/05/2008 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 40-4-1 Alexander Povetkin
TKO 11 (12) 27/10/2007 Messehalle, Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany
Part of IBF Heavyweight title elimination tournament (Byrd–Povetkin/Brock–Chambers). Win 40-3-1 Paul Marinaccio
RTD 7 (10) 18/04/2007 Clifford Park, Nassau, Bahamas
Loss 39-3-1 Wladimir Klitschko
TKO 7 (12) 22/04/2006 SAP-Arena, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
For vacant IBO Heavyweight title. Lost IBF Heavyweight title. Win 39-2-1 DaVarryl Williamson
UD 12 01/10/2005 Events Center, Reno, Nevada, United States
Retained IBF Heavyweight title. Win 38-2-1 Jameel McCline
SD 12 13/11/2004 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Retained IBF Heavyweight title. Byrd down in the 2nd round. Draw 37-2-1 Andrew Golota
PTS 12 17/04/2004 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Retained IBF Heavyweight title. Win 37–2 Fres Oquendo
UD 12 20/09/2003 Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Retained IBF Heavyweight title. Win 36–2 Evander Holyfield
UD 12 14/12/2002 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Won vacant IBF Heavyweight title. Win 35–2 Jeff Pegues
TKO 3 (10) 08/06/2002 Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States
Win 34–2 David Tua
UD 12 18/08/2001 Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Retained USBA Heavyweight title. Final part of the IBF Heavyweight title eliminator. Win 33–2 Maurice Harris
UD 12 12/05/2001 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Won vacant USBA Heavyweight title. Win 32–2 David Vedder
UD 10 19/01/2001 Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States
Loss 31–2 Wladimir Klitschko
UD 12 14/10/2000 Kolnarena, Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Lost WBO Heavyweight title. Byrd down in round 9 and 11. Win 31–1 Vitali Klitschko
RTD 9 (12) 01/04/2000 Estrel Convention Center, Neukoelln, Berlin, Germany
Won WBO Heavyweight title. Fight stopped due to Klitschko's injured shoulder. Win 30–1 David Washington
TKO 10 (10) 19/01/2000 Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States
Win 29–1 Val Smith
KO 2 (10) 22/10/1999 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Win 28–1 Jose Ribalta
TKO 4 (10) 03/06/1999 Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States
Win 27–1 John Sargent
TKO 2 (10) 08/05/1999 Silver Star Casino, Philadelphia, Mississippi, United States
Loss 26–1 Ike Ibeabuchi
TKO 5 (10) 20/03/1999 Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, United States
In the 5th round a highly unexpected left uppercut from Ibeabuchi sends Byrd to the canvas for the second time in his career. Win 26–0 Ross Puritty
UD 10 14/07/1998 Casino Magic, Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, United States
Win 25–0 Eliecer Castillo
UD 10 30/05/1998 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 24–0 Derek Amos
TKO 6 (10) 28/03/1998 Boardwalk Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 23–0 Jimmy Thunder
TKO 9 (10) 13/12/1997 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
Win 22–0 Frankie Swindell
UD 10 20/06/1997 Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 21–0 Bert Cooper
UD 10 18/03/1997 IMA Center, Flint, Michigan, United States
Win 20–0 Craig Petersen
TKO 6 (10) 28/01/1997 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Attendance: 7,103. Referee stopped the fight after long unanswered flurry of punches by Byrd. Win 19–0 Levi Billups
UD 10 08/10/1996 IMA Center, Flint, Michigan, United States
Win 18–0 Uriah Grant
UD 10 06/08/1996 IMA Center, Flint, Michigan, United States
Win 17–0 Biko Botowamungu
UD 10 17/05/1996 Glen Stock Arena, Monroe, Michigan, United States
Win 16–0 Lionel Butler
TKO 8 (10) 23/04/1996 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Attendance: 9,200. Butler down in the 7th and 8th rounds. Win 15–0 Jeff Wooden
UD 10 30/01/1996 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Attendance: 12,020. Win 14–0 Phil Jackson
UD 12 21/11/1996 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Attendance: 15,253. Won vacant WBU International Heavyweight title. Win 13–0 Nathaniel Fitch
KO 7 (10) 03/10/1995 IMA Center, Flint, Michigan, United States
Win 12–0 Tim Puller
TKO 5 (10) 18/07/1995 IMA Center, Flint, Michigan, United States
Win 11–0 Arthur Williams
SD 10 23/05/1995 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Byrd knocked down in the 1st round for the first time as a pro. Win 10–0 Joel Humm
RTD 4 (8) 26/04/1995 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Win 9–0 Mike Rouse
TKO 6 (12) 28/03/1995 IMA Center, Flint, Michigan, United States
Won vacant USBA Heavyweight title. Win 8–0 Frankie Hines
TKO 2 (?) 06/01/1995 Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States
Win 7–0 Ron Gullette
TKO 5 (?) 01/11/1994 Flint, Michigan, United States
Win 6–0 Waxxen Fikes
TKO 4 (?) 04/10/1994 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Attendance: 9,873. Win 5–0 Max Key
KO 1 (?) 30/08/1994 Flint, Michigan, United States
Win 4–0 Gerard O'Neal
TKO 2 (6) 07/06/1994 Flint, Michigan, United States
Win 3–0 Exum Speight
UD 6 22/03/1994 Flint, Michigan, United States
Win 2–0 Mike Sullivan
TKO 1 (?) 15/05/1993 Flint, Michigan, United States
Win 1–0 Gary Smith
UD 6 28/01/1993 IMA Center, Flint, Michigan, United States
See also
References
External links
Previous champion
Vitali KlitschkoWBO World Heavyweight 16th Champion
April 1, 2000- October 14, 2000
Next champion
Wladimir KlitschkoPrevious champion
Lennox LewisIBF World Heavyweight 17th Champion
December 14, 2002- April 22, 2006
Next champion
Wladimir KlitschkoCategories:- 1970 births
- African American boxers
- Boxers at the 1992 Summer Olympics
- Heavyweight boxers
- International Boxing Federation Champions
- Living people
- Olympic boxers of the United States
- People from Flint, Michigan
- Southpaw boxers
- World Boxing Organization Champions
- Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers
- Olympic medalists in boxing
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