Yes his eyes were mysteriously shutting when he didn't get hit much in those first 2 rounds.

Against Vitali. Vitali had built a lead on Byrd that would win him a decision, and thats when Byrd came on as he had been pecking away at Vitali's shoulders all night. When Vitali couldn't punch, Byrd attacked. And may very well have won every other round and still lost the decision, but Vitali couldn't finish the fight.