Heavyweight Tourney - Byrd and Brock?

[BewareofDawg]

What do these two have to gain from even entering this thing? A title shot at best? Byrd, oh my god, what if he wins this tournament??? :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl
"Congratulations Chris! You won the title shot with Wladimir, you must be thrilled!"

Byrd: "Ummm, actually......well this is awkward but.....I mean I appreciate the gesture and all......" :rofl :rofl :rofl

[Zakman]

What the heck are these guys doing in an elimination match anyway?? For a fight with Wlad?? When he's knocked them both out already?

Just what we need, recycled HWs!

[BewareofDawg]

What the heck are these guys doing in an elimination match anyway?? For a fight with Wlad?? When he's knocked them both out already?

Just what we need, recycled HWs!
Exactly. What is their motivation going to be? We don't want to see that shit again, and they definitely can't want it. :nono

[LogDog69]

Well hopefully Povetkin or Chambers will win the tournament and we won't have to see Vlad murder Brock or Byrd again.

[KayEpps]

I would have to agree with you guys - another fight between Brock or Byrd is like suicide. There is no way that either could want to fight Wlad again - especially Byrd.

However - I would like to see a rematch of Wlad and Peter. After the way McCline put Peter down and the way Peter put Wlad down in the beginning of there fight - this should make for a good fight. And it would be a Unification Bout - since they both now have titles.

Let's see what happens.

[0-1]

Well I think it's a calculated risk. If Brock or Byrd win then the fight with Klitschko will indeed be a little silly (although not entirely in the case of Brock, who IMO will prove he's improved a good deal if he can win this tournament). On the other hand, Byrd and Brock are both very very good yardsticks by which to judge the up-and-comers Povetkin and Chambers. I think it's no accident that these two have been kept apart for the first round, which would have eliminated one of them immediately. Putting them in against guys who've fought Klitschko and lost allows us to compare their performances with his, and in the case of Byrd, it's quite likely that Povetkin will beat him in an even more convincing fashion than Wlad. This lends a lot of credibility to the idea of a shot for a fighter with such a tiny professional resumé, who has to be a phenomenonal prodigy to merit it.
Byrd and Brock are very credible opponents, who if all goes to plan should make the guys who beat them credible stars. Of course, if Byrd wins the tournament, then it's a bit of a disaster, and he might even retire rather than fight Wlad, but I don't think this version of Byrd can win this, and even if he could, I doubt they'd let him.

[Stezzie]

Well I think it's a calculated risk. If Brock or Byrd win then the fight with Klitschko will indeed be a little silly (although not entirely in the case of Brock, who IMO will prove he's improved a good deal if he can win this tournament). On the other hand, Byrd and Brock are both very very good yardsticks by which to judge the up-and-comers Povetkin and Chambers. I think it's no accident that these two have been kept apart for the first round, which would have eliminated one of them immediately. Putting them in against guys who've fought Klitschko and lost allows us to compare their performances with his, and in the case of Byrd, it's quite likely that Povetkin will beat him in an even more convincing fashion than Wlad. This lends a lot of credibility to the idea of a shot for a fighter with such a tiny professional resumé, who has to be a phenomenonal prodigy to merit it.
Byrd and Brock are very credible opponents, who if all goes to plan should make the guys who beat them credible stars. Of course, if Byrd wins the tournament, then it's a bit of a disaster, and he might even retire rather than fight Wlad, but I don't think this version of Byrd can win this, and even if he could, I doubt they'd let him.

:good

[unitas]

What do these two have to gain from even entering this thing? A title shot at best? Byrd, oh my god, what if he wins this tournament??? :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl
"Congratulations Chris! You won the title shot with Wladimir, you must be thrilled!"

Byrd: "Ummm, actually......well this is awkward but.....I mean I appreciate the gesture and all......" :rofl :rofl :rofl

lets put it this way: what else should they be doing in your opinion??

[Superheavyweight]

Actually it’s the perfect IBF heavyweight tournament.

An unbeaten heavyweight with the most pro fights to date (not including the dangerously medically unfit Mesi) and arguably the most talented fighter above 200 lbs versus a former WBO/IBF heavyweight champion with a ‘W’ over the current champion’s bigger brother and a former unbeaten IBF heavyweight challenger.

The scenario is perfect… basically if Povetkin/Chambers can’t even get past a former champion and challenger then they definitely don’t deserve a shot at the number one heavyweight in the world.

[BewareofDawg]

lets put it this way: what else should they be doing in your opinion??
Byrd? Housework.
Brock? Back at the Bank. :good

[unitas]

Byrd? Housework.
Brock? Back at the Bank. :good

:lol:

[Brickhaus]

Give the IBF a little credit. Byrd and Brock were the #1 and #2 contenders, and instead of having them face off for a mandatory, they got some younger fighters involved as well, one of whom should be able to spare us the sight of Wlad-Byrd III.

As for the point, fighting Wlad is still the best payday any of these guys can hope to get.

[Ambition_Def]

Byrd and Brock won't win. (I hope)

[BewareofDawg]

After the last time Byrd fought Wlad I remember him standing around with his family after. It was like they were all at a funeral. A sad moment, one that I thought meant a possible retirement or move to cruiser for Byrd. But now he is right back in position to fight Wlad again?????

[radianttwilight]

I like it. Pretty much everyone expects Byrd and Brock to go, but they are good measuring sticks because they have both been around the block a few times by now, and both have been in the ring with Wlad.

[Dorfmeister]

Exactly. What is their motivation going to be? We don't want to see that shit again, and they definitely can't want it. :nono

Money and a little bit more of attention... Both Brock and Byrd are into a pretty stupid situation if they win though. Has anyone realized that the winner is making his 3rd fight in a row when he faces Wlad while the latter is making his 1st since the beginning of the tournament??? I was just saying...:think

[ChrisPontius]

Brock, Chambers and Povetkin are young, talented fighters. They deserve to be in there. Byrd is old and won't ever beat Wlad. I don't see Brock beating him in a rematch either, but if he's a top contender by beating 2 of Povetkin/Chambers/Byrd then he deserves a shot. Much more so than a Ray Austin, for instance.
As for Povetkin, i think he'd be stepping up too soon, but it would be a great fight nethertheless with a guaranteed rematch.

[emanuel_augustus]

The tournament fights are good matchups.

Enjoy Povetkin/Byrd and Brock/Chambers.

Wlad vs. Byrd/Brock/or Chambers will be destruction, and probably won't end up happening anyway.

[El Bombasto]

I would have to agree with you guys - another fight between Brock or Byrd is like suicide. There is no way that either could want to fight Wlad again - especially Byrd.

However - I would like to see a rematch of Wlad and Peter. After the way McCline put Peter down and the way Peter put Wlad down in the beginning of there fight - this should make for a good fight. And it would be a Unification Bout - since they both now have titles.

Let's see what happens.

I don't think picking up and interim title would count as unification for Wlad.

[CHEF]

I would have to agree with you guys - another fight between Brock or Byrd is like suicide. There is no way that either could want to fight Wlad again - especially Byrd.

However - I would like to see a rematch of Wlad and Peter. After the way McCline put Peter down and the way Peter put Wlad down in the beginning of there fight - this should make for a good fight. And it would be a Unification Bout - since they both now have titles.

Let's see what happens.

A rematch will not happen anytime soon if at all. Camp Peter (DON KING) will never allow it to happen. Don King will do whatever it takes to keep Klitschko for getting another belt. The risk is to high:-(

[Langford]

I give Byrd very little chance of beating Povetkin. UD for Povetkin for sure, unless Byrd opens up, then it will be KO.
Chambers vs. Brock is kind of a toss up. If Brock can beat both Povetkin and Chambers, then I think they can sell it as a new and improved Brock. People have fought for the championship with far less. Besides, most of the other fighters out there in the top ten are either belt holders themselves, or, mandatories for the belt holders.

Povetkin or Chambers would be good...obviously everyone more or less knows that Byrd is not going to win. IBF and HBO are certainly not rooting for Byrd.

[RUSKULL]

I would have to agree with you guys - another fight between Brock or Byrd is like suicide. There is no way that either could want to fight Wlad again - especially Byrd.

However - I would like to see a rematch of Wlad and Peter. After the way McCline put Peter down and the way Peter put Wlad down in the beginning of there fight - this should make for a good fight. And it would be a Unification Bout - since they both now have titles.

Let's see what happens.

Peter's title is paper only, he beat no one to get it. Wlad beat Byrd, Brock, Austin & Brewster.

Wladimir should fight Peter when Peter has the real title, not the interim version. Unless it means he gets a crack at Oleg after he KO's Peter.

[RUSKULL]

I don't think picking up and interim title would count as unification for Wlad.

Exactly, I didn't see your post & I post spontaneously sometimes :yep

[Lance_Uppercut]

What do these two have to gain from even entering this thing? A title shot at best? Byrd, oh my god, what if he wins this tournament??? :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl
"Congratulations Chris! You won the title shot with Wladimir, you must be thrilled!"

Byrd: "Ummm, actually......well this is awkward but.....I mean I appreciate the gesture and all......" :rofl :rofl :rofl

Are you serious? What else are pro HW's going to do? Call it quits? Fans today...:-(

[RUSKULL]

I like it. Pretty much everyone expects Byrd and Brock to go, but they are good measuring sticks because they have both been around the block a few times by now, and both have been in the ring with Wlad.

I agree. If the winner of the tourney gets a shot then so be it. If it's Byrd or Brock then they deserve it too.

Brock was having some early success against Wlad but Byrd doesn't stand a chance IMO. Wlad's all wrong for him & his style.

At least the IBF is trying to make things happen & putting some of the better fighters to the test. I wish the other ABC's would get their shit in gear.

[RUSKULL]

Are you serious? What else are pro HW's going to do? Call it quits? Fans today...:-(

Exactly. If Byrd beats Povetkin & the winner of Chambers vs. Brock then he deserves another try, however futile we may think it is.

[sues2nd]

Ummm, a title shot means more money than a regular fight.

So why enter the tourney? $$$$$

Now its still too bad we cant get a tourney with all the belt holders....aint that a novel fuckin idea....

[RUSKULL]

Same goes for Povetkin. If he beats Byrd & then the winner of Brock vs. Chambers he's ready to fight for the IBF title.

Same goes for Chambers. If he beats Brock & the winner of Povetkin vs. Byrd he's ready regardless of his previous big fight experience.

[dragosuhail]

their motivation is simple: P-A-Y D-A-Y

[RUSKULL]

Ummm, a title shot means more money than a regular fight.

So why enter the tourney? $$$$$

Now its still too bad we cant get a tourney with all the belt holders....aint that a novel fuckin idea....


At least they're making some of the top guys fight each other & we should be gratefull.............:bart

Otherwise we'd be seeing each of them vs. nobodies just to pump their rankings up.

[RUSKULL]

Brock already lost to Wladimir but he was def. having some early success with his style & landing some good bodyshots................he just got caught flush.

[BoxingGuru]

Brock already lost to Wladimir but he was def. having some early success with his style & landing some good bodyshots................he just got caught flush.

The difference this time is Wlad knows how to fight him. It won't go 3 this time.

[razor]

Povetkin wins anyway.

[Flatlander]

At this point I don't give a rat's ass about any of them.

[sues2nd]

At least they're making some of the top guys fight each other & we should be gratefull.............:bart

Otherwise we'd be seeing each of them vs. nobodies just to pump their rankings up.

Amen.

:good

And plus, people forget...Brock did an pretty good job with Wlad before getting CRRRRRUMBLED (AND I MEAN CRRRRRRRUMBLED). I would still favor WK 10 out of 10 times...but....Id rather see them fight 99 times over before Id watch another Ray Austin debacle.

:conf

But what are ya gonna do....

[BewareofDawg]

Are you serious? What else are pro HW's going to do? Call it quits? Fans today...:-(
Oh save your bullshit Lance, the thread was only meant to point out that the tournament and division is a tad bit fucked. You don't think it is just a little shitty when you put together an elimination tourney for a title shot and 2 of the fighters who very possibly win have less than a poor shot even at making it to a decision with the Champ. I am a fan, which is why I'm bitching about this :deal And as a FAN I'm not interested in a fucking pointless bullshit tourney that is end up tying Wlad up and making him possibly face a guy that he already KTFO.

[thesandman]

Oh save your bullshit Lance, the thread was only meant to point out that the tournament and division is a tad bit fucked. You don't think it is just a little shitty when you put together an elimination tourney for a title shot and 2 of the fighters who very possibly win have less than a poor shot even at making it to a decision with the Champ. I am a fan, which is why I'm bitching about this :deal And as a FAN I'm not interested in a fucking pointless bullshit tourney that is end up tying Wlad up and making him possibly face a guy that he already KTFO.

Who do you propose takes their place then?

If that's your rationale, name me 4 non current title holders that

a) could win this tournament
b) could go 12 with Wlad


I can name maybe 2 - Tua and McCall - based purely on chin alone.

But you know what? Those guys aren't going to enter a tourney like that. they've made their names already. They're not going to fuck it up by entering a tournament with some young guys on the way up. If they lose, they want it to be in a title fight - not an eliminator.

[RUSKULL]

Amen.

:good

And plus, people forget...Brock did an pretty good job with Wlad before getting CRRRRRUMBLED (AND I MEAN CRRRRRRRUMBLED). I would still favor WK 10 out of 10 times...but....Id rather see them fight 99 times over before Id watch another Ray Austin debacle.

:conf

But what are ya gonna do....

True. I'd rather see Wladimir vs. Brock II before Wladimir vs. Austin II. Austin had zero success against Klitschko where Brock worked the body & had a decent jab here & there.

[Odo]

What the heck are these guys doing in an elimination match anyway?? For a fight with Wlad?? When he's knocked them both out already?

Just what we need, recycled HWs!

Well spoken,zakman!

I ,too,would like to watch fresh faces get a shot at one those world titles.

Byrd,Brook,Ruiz,Rahman,Hollyfields,and so on have already had more than one chance to capture a belt.

Virchis,Gomez,Bidenko,Dimitrenko,Skeleton,and so on deserve a shot at a title IMO.