Re: Chris Byrd moving down
This is all revisionist history you are writing.
Let's set this striaght.
Chris Byrd has been one of the best pure HW boxers since Larry Holmes. If there were two divisions (HW & Super HW), he would still be champion right now. Look at his losses -- Ibeabuchi (who was BIGGER than Sam Peter), and the big Klit, both guys who were much bigger than him.
For years, everyone avoided Chris Byrd saying his style was too 'ugly,' which really meant that his style was too difficult for them. Even Lennox Lewis (who I respect and supported b4 Americans did) GAVE UP the IBF belt so he wouldn't have to face Byrd--that's how he got to face Hollyfield. Years have pased, and Byrd has faded. I agree that Oquendo beat him, and that Golata and McCline were close (Golata definitely beat Ruiz, though). He held a HW title for over 4 years and very few people would step up to face him. When Vitali came on the scene, everyone recognized him as champion, ignoring these facts:
Byrd had been champion for YEARS at that point;
Byrd beat Vitali's arm into submission;
Byrd was the only one of the two fighting REAL top ten opponents.
(look at Kirk Johnson and what he has done since Vitali. Where is Corrie Sanders? Who is Danny Williams? What a disgraceful reign...)
Byrd should do well and dominate at Cruiser. Please remember that Byrd's 'stand in front' style is a mark of his age, and his ability to now sit down on a punch. Maybe it makes a difference for people 200lbs and under, especially since he has been fighting HW for over six years...
If Bell was being outboxed by Rothmann, then what will Byrd do to him? I say he beats Bell, and I can't call against Cunningham or G.Jones.
O'Neil Bell promised a rematch to Dale Brown--NEVER HAPPENED.
He promised to fight Cunningham after unifiying the title--NEVER HAPPENED.
Bell gave up the belt so he wouldn't have to fight, and it has been in LIMBO ever since.
He won't fight for the belt, but no one else can either.
Byrd may be able to straighten the whole mess out. He doesn't duck anyone...
Re: Chris Byrd moving down
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Promoter
I wonder if Byrd now becomes a "puncher" at Cruiser?
who knows...this means the guys will be 30-40 pounds lighter than the guys Byrd is used to .......He might actually start KO'ing the cruiserweights.....We know the cruiserweights won't have any advantages over Byrd...He's faster than any of them...
Re: Chris Byrd moving down
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigragu
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Promoter
I wonder if Byrd now becomes a "puncher" at Cruiser?
who knows...this means the guys will be 30-40 pounds lighter than the guys Byrd is used to .......He might actually start KO'ing the cruiserweights.....We know the cruiserweights won't have any advantages over Byrd...He's faster than any of them...
CC'd. My point exactly...
well said, ragu!!!
Re: Chris Byrd moving down
Quote:
Originally Posted by Global Jab
Quote:
Originally Posted by TyBuff
Quote:
Originally Posted by Global Jab
Chris Byrd will never be a puncher :)
he was stopped by Calzaghe in round 2 in a match between Italy and USA in the early 90ties
because they have the most exposure.......and best chance of building a legion of fans(money) the fastest......Pro's are a different animal than the Amateurs......sure they might run off some quick wins to start off...but that's because they fight newly turned pros that never even had amateur experience...but when they get get in with a real pro they find out where they stand......Audeley Harrison anyone????
That is relevan, because we all know that the amatuers are the same as the pros. ::**
It was amatuers its all different when they turn pro.
-if amateur fights is irrelevant why is the best amateurs getting the best pro contracts? And why is it most likely that the best amateurs also gets the best careers in the pro ranks?
Re: Chris Byrd moving down
This is not going to be a massively huge thing for Chris to get used to.
I knew Chris and his family back when I was a Golden Gloves fighter out of Michigan. We would always bump into them at tournaments and such.
Thing is, Chris fought at a lighter weight when he was an amateur, I think he was either 165 or 178....Cant remember...Both him and Patrick have fought guys from our Gym when we were at Tournaments...
I never like Chris in the HW Division as is, I always felt he was a Cruiser if anything...I know he'll never get down to SM....But anything to keep his head on his shoulders at this time in his career is good....
