Chris Byrd


Christopher Cornelius "Chris" Byrd is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2009. He is a two-time world heavyweight champion, having first won the WBO title in 2000 after an upset corner stoppage over then-undefeated Vitali Klitschko. In his first title defense later that year, he lost to Vitali's brother Wladimir Klitschko. In 2002, Byrd defeated Evander Holyfield to win the IBF heavyweight title for his second reign as world champion. He made four successful defenses until losing his title again to Wladimir Klitschko in a 2006 rematch. Byrd's cousin, Lamon Brewster, has a shared history with Wladimir Klitschko: Brewster defeated him in 2004, but lost in a 2007 rematch.
As an amateur, Byrd represented the United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal in the middleweight division. He is also a three-time national amateur champion, winning the light middleweight title in 1989, and the middleweight title in 1991 and 1992.

Early life

Chris Byrd was the youngest of eight children growing up in Flint, Michigan. He began boxing at age 5, training in his father 's Joe Byrd Boxing Academy. His father continued to train and manage Byrd as a professional. Byrd attended Flint Northwestern High School.

Amateur career

Byrd began competing in the ring at age 10, since then he had 285 amateur fights in various weight classes, compiled an impressive record of 275 wins, 10 losses. He was a three-time U.S. amateur champion. He was on the 1991 U.S. National boxing Team that became the first U.S. team to score a tie against the heralded Cuban team.
Byrd won the silver medal in the 1992 Barcelona summer Olympics as a middleweight, losing to Cuba's Ariel Hernández in the final.

Amateur highlights

1993–1998: early career

Byrd turned professional on January 28, 1993, knocking out 10 of his first 13 opponents. Byrd moved up to heavyweight three fights into his professional career.
Byrd remained undefeated for his first 26 fights, knocking off then-notable opponents like Phil Jackson, Lionel Butler, Uriah Grant, Bert Cooper, Craig Peterson, Frankie Swindell, Jimmy Thunder, undefeated Eliecer Castillo and Ross Puritty.

1999: Byrd vs. Ibeabuchi, comeback victories

However, in 1999, Byrd's undefeated record came to a dead end when he fought undefeated Ike Ibeabuchi. With 48 seconds left in the fifth round, a left-handed bolo punch followed with a right hook sent Byrd to the canvas, face first.

2000: first world title, facing the Klitschkos

During the last week of March 2000, Byrd was offered the chance to be the replacement against undefeated champion Vitali Klitschko in Berlin, Germany for the WBO Heavyweight Title. He therefore had only seven days to prepare for the fight. Byrd struggled greatly in the fight, trailing after nine rounds by scores of 88–83 and 89–82, i.e. losing seven or eight of those rounds. However, Klitschko severely injured his shoulder and was unable to continue after the ninth round. The injury that Klitschko suffered was a torn shoulder rotator cuff, which required major surgery and a 7-month lay-off. Despite trailing on all three of the judges' scorecards, Byrd walked away the winner by a technical knockout due to the injury to Klitschko.
Six months later, Byrd was back in Germany to defend the title against Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali's younger, more agile brother. Twelve rounds later, Byrd had lost a lopsided unanimous decision and the WBO belt after being knocked down twice.

2001–2002: comeback victories, second world title

Byrd returned to the U.S., signed with Don King and beat Maurice Harris to win the United States Boxing Association heavyweight belt in Madison Square Garden. He was now a top-five contender for the IBF title. After winning his next match Byrd eventually received his mandatory shot at the vacant IBF world Heavyweight Championship against Evander Holyfield in Atlantic City. On December 14, 2002, Byrd won a unanimous decision and the IBF title.

2003–2005: four successful title defenses

Byrd has successfully defended the IBF belt against: Fres Oquendo in 2003, a highly entertaining draw with "Andrew" Golota and a decision win over friend Jameel McCline in 2004, and DaVarryl Williamson in 2005. Byrd's fight with Golota did 75,000 buys on pay-per-view.

2006: Klitschko rematch

On April 22, 2006, Byrd faced Wladimir Klitschko for the second time. Byrd was making his fifth defense of his IBF title and the fight was also sanctioned by the International Boxing Organization for its title, which had been vacated upon the retirement of Lennox Lewis. The fight took place at SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany. Byrd was heavily dominated throughout the fight, was down in the fifth, and again in the seventh. Referee Wayne Kelly stopped the fight after the second knockdown when Byrd had an open cut near his eyes. Klitschko won in a TKO

2007–2010: Povetkin bout, move to light heavyweight, and retirement

After losing to Alexander Povetkin, Byrd would drop about 40 pounds to return to the light heavyweight division. He fought Shaun George on May 16, 2008, at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. Byrd was dropped by George in round one and rocked again in round two. George then hammered Byrd with his right hand at will, finally flooring Byrd twice in the ninth round. Byrd beat the count after the first knockdown, but was then battered down again and the bout was waved off by the referee.
In 2010, Byrd officially announced his retirement from boxing.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
47Win41–5–1 Matthias SandowTKO4, 1:30Mar 21, 2009 Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Germany
46Loss40–5–1 Shaun GeorgeTKO9, 2:42May 16, 2008 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
45Loss40–4–1 Alexander PovetkinTKO11, 1:52Oct 27, 2007 Messe, Erfurt, Germany
44Win40–3–1 Paul MarinaccioRTD7, 0:01Apr 18, 2007 Clifford Park, Nassau, Bahamas
43Loss39–3–1 Wladimir KlitschkoTKO7, 0:41Apr 22, 2006 SAP Arena, Mannheim, GermanyLost IBF heavyweight title;
For vacant IBO heavyweight title
42Win39–2–1 DaVarryl WilliamsonUD12Oct 1, 2005 Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.Retained IBF heavyweight title
41Win38–2–1 Jameel McClineSD12Nov 13, 2004 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained IBF heavyweight title
40Draw37–2–1 Andrew Golota12Apr 17, 2004 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained IBF heavyweight title
39Win37–2 Fres OquendoUD12Sep 20, 2003 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.Retained IBF heavyweight title
38Win36–2 Evander HolyfieldUD12Dec 14, 2002 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won vacant IBF heavyweight title
37Win35–2 Jeff PeguesTKO3, 2:43Jun 8, 2002 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
36Win34–2 David TuaUD12Aug 18, 2001 Cox Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained USBA heavyweight title
35Win33–2 Maurice HarrisUD12May 12, 2001 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Won vacant USBA heavyweight title
34Win32–2 David VedderUD10Jan 19, 2001 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
33Loss31–2 Wladimir KlitschkoUD12Oct 14, 2000 Kölnarena, Cologne, GermanyLost WBO heavyweight title
32Win31–1 Vitali KlitschkoRTD9, 3:00Apr 1, 2000 Estrel Hotel, Berlin, GermanyWon WBO heavyweight title
31Win30–1 David WashingtonTKO10 Jan 19, 2000 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
30Win29–1 Val SmithKO2, 2:39Oct 22, 1999 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
29Win28–1 Jose RibaltaRTD3, 3:00Jun 3, 1999 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
28Win27–1 John SargentTKO2, 2:03May 8, 1999 Silver Star Casino, Philadelphia, Mississippi, U.S.
27Loss26–1 Ike IbeabuchiTKO5, 2:59Mar 20, 1999 Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
26Win26–0 Ross PurittyUD10Jul 14, 1998 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
25Win25–0 Eliecer CastilloUD10May 30, 1998 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24Win24–0 Derek AmosTKO6 Mar 28, 1998 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
23Win23–0 Jimmy ThunderTKO9, 1:07Dec 13, 1997 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
22Win22–0 Frankie SwindellUD10Jun 20, 1997 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21Win21–0 Bert CooperUD10Mar 18, 1997 IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
20Win20–0 Craig PetersenTKO6, 2:22Jan 28, 1997 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
19Win19–0 Levi BillupsUD10Oct 8, 1996 IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
18Win18–0 Uriah GrantUD10Aug 6, 1996 IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
17Win17–0 Biko BotowamunguUD10May 17, 1996 Stock Arena, Monroe, Michigan, U.S.
16Win16–0 Lionel ButlerTKO8, 0:57Apr 23, 1996 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
15Win15–0 Jeff WoodenUD10Jan 30, 1996 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
14Win14–0 Phil JacksonUD12Nov 21, 1996 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
13Win13–0 Nathaniel FitchKO7 Oct 3, 1995 IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
12Win12–0 Tim PullerTKO5, 2:55Jul 18, 1995 IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
11Win11–0 Arthur Williams10May 23, 1995 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
10Win10–0 Joel Humm4 Apr 26, 1995 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
9Win9–0 Mike RouseTKO6, 1:56Mar 28, 1995 IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
8Win8–0 Frankie HinesTKO2, 0:59Jan 1, 1995 Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
7Win7–0 Ron GulletteTKO5Nov 1, 1994 Flint, Michigan, U.S.
6Win6–0 Waxxen FikesTKO4, 2:49Oct 4, 1994 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
5Win5–0 Max Key1Aug 30, 1994 Flint, Michigan, U.S.
4Win4–0 Gerard O'NealTKO2 Jun 7, 1994 Flint, Michigan, U.S.
3Win3–0 Exum SpeightUD6Mar 22, 1994 Flint, Michigan, U.S.
2Win2–0 Mike Sullivan1May 15, 1993 Flint, Michigan, U.S.
1Win1–0 Gary Smith6Jan 28, 1993 IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.Professional debut

Television viewership

Germany

DateFightViewership NetworkSource
1 April 2000Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd9,790,000Sat.1
14 October 2000Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko9,390,000Sat.1
24 April 2006Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko II10,170,000Das Erste
27 October 2007Chris Byrd vs. Alexander Povetkin4,570,000Das Erste
Total viewership33,920,000

US pay-per-view bouts

Outside of the ring

Byrd hosts a weekly video podcast, entitled "Byrd's Eye View", which showcases former boxers as well as current professional and champion-level fighters.

Additional information