This past Saturday, April 22, I watched Chris Byrd defend his Internation Boxing Federation heavyweight title against Wladimir Klitschko on HBO.  The fight was the second between these two heavyweights; the first, in 2000, resulted in a win by decision for Klitschko after he had twice knocked Byrd to the canvas.  In similar fashion, Klitschko dominated round after round against the seasoned champion until the referee halted the fight in the seventh round and awarded Wladimir Klitschko the win and the title.

Klitschko came into the ring with a strategy that put Byrd off his game through much of the fight.  He continued to hold his left glove in Byrd’s face and then followed with a strong right hand each time the champion attempted to move out of the way.  It was a technique that Byrd seemed unprepared to counter and worked effectively and consistently.  Wladimir Klitschko is now one step closer to his goal of consolidating the heavyweight championship titles.

Apart from Klitschko’s tactics inside the ring, I was really impressed with Chris Byrd’s actions outside the ring.  During his post-fight interview, Chris Byrd demonstrated the kind of gentlemanly sportsmanlike conduct that should be expected of a word-class athlete, but is too often missing from modern sports.  He handled his interview with honesty and respect for his opponent, even though HBO Commentator Larry Merchant gave him ample opportunity to diminish Klitschko’s win.

Merchant began the fight insisting that Klitschko had a weak chin and could be leveled by a strong puncher.  It was clear that the outcome of the fight did little to change his mind as he continued to doubt Klitschko’s endurance during his post-fight analysis with fellow commentator Jim Lampley.  Even during his ringside interview with Klitschko himself, Merchant pointedly asked, “Do you feel that the criticism, which I think a lot of it was justified, questioning whether you had the toughness or the chin has motivated you to this level?” Merchant wasn’t going to be satisfied until someone shared his opinion of the new champion.

When Merchant moved on to interview Chris Byrd, I expected him to find an ally in the defeated boxer.  Merchant immediately went after Klitschko and gave Byrd an opening by saying, “The general impression was that he had showed a lack of toughness and you felt, I believe, that you’re just tougher than he was and that was what was going to win it in the end.” However, Byrd rejected this line of questioning and instead credited his opponent. “It was knuckle-headed of me to think I was bigger and stronger than Wladimir Klitschko. He is 241 pounds of muscle. I am 212 pounds of bubbling up muscle, not real muscle. I felt I’d go in there and push him around. I really thought so. It didn’t work out for me. I was getting hit with all kinds of punches - things I didn’t train for in sparring. Wladimir Klitschko is a big strong guy… talented.” Throughout his interview Byrd stood strong and accepted his defeat with grace and class.

Chris Byrd is a good fighter, a strong fighter.  His father, Joe Byrd Sr., has trained him from age five to the present at the Joe Byrd Boxing Academy in Flint, Michigan.  Chris began his amateur boxing career at age ten and racked up 275 wins.  He became the U.S. boxing champion three times in 1989, 1991, and 1992 and then went on to take home a silver medal at the 1992 Olympics held in Barcelona.  Once he turned professional, Chris went undefeated for his first 26 fights until losing to Ike Ibeabuchi in 1999 while still nursing an injury sustained during training.  A year later, he claimed the World Boxing Organization’s heavyweight title, interestingly enough, against the then-undefeated Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir’s older brother.  Six months later, in a title challenge, Wladimir himself defeated Byrd and reclaimed the WBO title for his family.  Byrd didn’t go long without a title, defeating Evander Holyfield for the International Boxing Federation title in 2001 in Atlantic City, a title he held for five years.

When asked what this loss could mean for his career, Byrd answered, “I haven’t given it much thought. Go home talk to my wife, Dad, Mom, everybody. Pray about it. See what comes out of it. You know I’m disappointed for sure, but you know, I still got a lot of boxing left in me, I think.” I think so, too, Chris.

"I thank the Lord that I had a chance to fight Klitschko, a big, strong boxer.  I take nothing away from him.”
Chris Byrd