Five and a half years ago Wladimir Klitschko pounded Chris Byrd from pillar to post for twelve long rounds and took the American's WBO Heavyweight title. Last night in Mannheim, Germany the towering Ukrainian again forced a heavy beating upon the much smaller man and took Byrd's world title, this time the IBF, but managed to force a stoppage at 0:41 of the seventh round. In this rematch, it was never anything less than the Wlad Klitschko show as the heavy handed Eastern European fighter nailed the once difficult to hit Byrd repeatedly with single blows and combinations. By the fifth, Byrd was canvassed by a big right hand but showed heart in getting back up and continuing. It was just a matter of time however before the end, which came in the seventh in the form of a Klitschko barrage that once again dropped Byrd. The Michigan man beat the count but referee Wayne Kelly was unconvinced and stopped the contest.
For Klitschko, this dominating performance heralds a return to form three years after being stopped in startling fashion by Corrie Sanders. His title winning effort tonight completes the cycle in which all four major heavyweight crowns have changed hands in the last five months. It's too early to tell just who Wladimir Klitschko will face next but the big money option would be a pairing with WBC Champion Hasim Rahman, the lone American still holding a belt in the heavyweight division.
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