Chris Byrd - Under rated?

[MagnificentMatt]

What do you guys think? I mean, hes what..one of the three(correct me if Im wrong) southpaw heavyweight champions, and fought almost everyone he could, even if you say the division was weak during his time..I a few were actually ducking him as well..(Lennox maybe?)

I think he matches well with quite a few ATGs with his defense, speed, and toughness.

Not saying hes a top ATG or anything..just saying I feel he is under rated.

[ChrisPontius]

He's a good fighter.... his fight with David Tua was a true masterpiece. Tua was 13 pound lighter than against Lewis and Byrd didn't have the pop to make any impression whatsoever. Yet he thoroughly outboxed him... that takes balls, big balls.

He has decent wins over and aging Holyfield, McCline, Oquendo and Williamson. On paper he also beat Vitali Klitschko which is a great win, but he probably would've lost if not for the injury on the Ukranian's side....

Still, facing prime versions of Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko 2x, Ike Ibeaubuchi and David Tua and an aging but capable Golota (very hard fight if you can't hurt him), that's very good opposition.

He was also in the ring top3 for five consecutive years (2001-2006) and was actually the #1 heavyweight for some time until Wlad beat him again. Not too shabby for a non-great fighter.

[Arriba]

He's a good fighter.... his fight with David Tua was a true masterpiece. Tua was 13 pound lighter than against Lewis and Byrd didn't have the pop to make any impression whatsoever. Yet he thoroughly outboxed him... that takes balls, big balls.

He has decent wins over and aging Holyfield, McCline, Oquendo and Williamson. On paper he also beat Vitali Klitschko which is a great win, but he probably would've lost if not for the injury on the Ukranian's side....

Still, facing prime versions of Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko 2x, Ike Ibeaubuchi and David Tua and an aging but capable Golota (very hard fight if you can't hurt him), that's very good opposition.

He was also in the ring top3 for five consecutive years (2001-2006) and was actually the #1 heavyweight for some time until Wlad beat him again. Not too shabby for a non-great fighter.

Agreed. I think unless you consider him an ATG, He's certainly underrated.

A guy who made the most out of the little he had...a much more impressive feat than the guys who made the little out of amazing athletic ability.

[MagnificentMatt]

He's a good fighter.... his fight with David Tua was a true masterpiece. Tua was 13 pound lighter than against Lewis and Byrd didn't have the pop to make any impression whatsoever. Yet he thoroughly outboxed him... that takes balls, big balls.

He has decent wins over and aging Holyfield, McCline, Oquendo and Williamson. On paper he also beat Vitali Klitschko which is a great win, but he probably would've lost if not for the injury on the Ukranian's side....

Still, facing prime versions of Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko 2x, Ike Ibeaubuchi and David Tua and an aging but capable Golota (very hard fight if you can't hurt him), that's very good opposition.

He was also in the ring top3 for five consecutive years (2001-2006) and was actually the #1 heavyweight for some time until Wlad beat him again. Not too shabby for a non-great fighter.

Lol, the fight I watched before saying this.

[Russell]

He has decent wins over and aging Holyfield, McCline, Oquendo and Williamson. On paper he also beat Vitali Klitschko which is a great win, but he probably would've lost if not for the injury on the Ukranian's side....



He's got other solid wins even going beyond that.

He clearly beat a undefeated Jeff Wooden, who'd go on to make David Tua look terrible but lose a crap SD.

Knocked out Lionel Butler and James Thunder as well, both very durable and fairly competent heavyweights. He used to actually commit to punches more, and he'd flurry with those punches. The flurry he stopped Thunder with was pretty fierce.

And as for Vitali... Vitali missed him to the point here he literally ended up injuring himself. There was definitely cause and effect as to how he ended up hurt in that fight.

[MagnificentMatt]

He's got other solid wins even going beyond that.

He clearly beat a undefeated Jeff Wooden, who'd go on to make David Tua look terrible but lose a crap SD.

Knocked out Lionel Butler and James Thunder as well, both very durable and fairly competent heavyweights. He used to actually commit to punches more, and he'd flurry with those punches. The flurry he stopped Thunder with was pretty fierce.

And as for Vitali... Vitali missed him to the point here he literally ended up injuring himself. There was definitely cause and effect as to how he ended up hurt in that fight.
On top of that when Byrd would parry he would kind of pushed his arm back, instead of down or out.. Dunno if that would have an effect, but I heard it said before.

[TheBradyHawkes]

At his best, he was a good, slick, defensive HW. Best win was Tua, and I actually thought he lost to Golota and Oquendo. He's second tier, and that's what most regard him as.

[Russell]

At his best, he was a good, slick, defensive HW. Best win was Tua, and I actually thought he lost to Golota and Oquendo. He's second tier, and that's what most regard him as.

Even if you do feel he's b-level, being b-level in a solid heavyweight division when you're a ex-middleweight is a hell of a accomplishment.

[radianttwilight]

The look on Tua's face when Byrd started working that body was priceless.

[TheBradyHawkes]

Even if you do feel he's b-level, being b-level in a solid heavyweight division when you're a ex-middleweight is a hell of a accomplishment.

No doubt. I just don't think is he is under rated.

[DudeGuyMan]

Byrd was the unusual combination of a light puncher and an aggressive finisher. He didn't hurt his opponents that often, but when he did he could be quite vicious about pressing his advantage.

[janitor]

Historians will look at the size of the heavyweights he beat, look at the fact that he went on to fight at light heavyweight, and judge him kindly.

I would not be surprised if the word "great" was used in some quaters.

[hopkinsfan07]

His Boxing skills were ok, but quite a few others prime fighters could match his skill and take him out his game. Byrd wouldnt stand a chance if he was prime in the mid 90s

[Arriba]

Historians will look at the size of the heavyweights he beat, look at the fact that he went on to fight at light heavyweight, and judge him kindly.

I would not be surprised if the word "great" was used in some quaters.

Likewise. I'm not sure if I'd go with great...but I'd say he was very good for his time, talent and just general overall standing in the division.

I think most people will remember him for his losses to Klitschko rather than what he accomplished. Similar to how most casualites only seem to remember Michael Spinks for getting eradicated by Mike Tyson.

[heehoo]

Historians will look at the size of the heavyweights he beat, look at the fact that he went on to fight at light heavyweight, and judge him kindly.

I would not be surprised if the word "great" was used in some quaters.

I couldn't agree more. I love fighters like Byrd, Jimmy Young, etc... guys who have no pop whatsoever yet are extremely technical and polished in their BOXING skills. I saw his fight with Tua as well, and I saw why This guy was champion - extremely slick.

[Vantage_West]

sanders, chagaev, byrd, ibragimov, moorer...so 5 just to clear that up

of the last 8 years i consider him in the top 5 easy

1.lewis
2.wlad
3.byrd
4.vitali
5. you choose

[Bummy Davis]

He held his own with some of the better Heavys...was losing to Vit before injury and get dominated by Vlad but did great vs Tua and had some nice wins over Holyfield,McCline and others, I thought Golota was a close win for AG but it was close and I thought Oquendo beat him...still avoided by many and a tough southpaw heavyweight with heart and a bag of tricks

[radianttwilight]

I agree with VW.

Top heavyweights since 2000 -

1. Lewis
2. Wlad
3. Byrd
4. Vitali

[Dempsey1238]

Not great, but good. Not sure how he do against the all time elite, but he does have that style that may pose problems to fighters like Joe Louis. But in the end I would like to belive Louis would grind him down for the ko or tko win.
Perhaps like the Farr fight. Would not shock me, if he does not off one or 2 atg heavyweights.