[VIDEO] Chris Byrd vs Tua, one of the most underrated boxing clinics ever.

This is truly one of the most underrated defensive / boxing performances in general. Those of you who haven't watched this fight really should, possibly the greatest show of slickness ever seen at heavyweight. Chris Byrd, an extremely undersized heavyweight, who is truly a middleweight, boxed an absolute masterpiece in this fight. He managed to avoid ever getting seriously tagged or hurt, despite frequently being pinned against the ropes, against an absolutely savage puncher in David Tua. Byrd was at a huge size and power disadvantage, yet fought absolutely brilliant, putting on a truly incredible display of defense.

Just a forewarning, the announcers here aren't very great. They are entertaining, but not extremely knowledgeable, so you'll hear them giving alot of credit to Tua, even when his punches are missing, or being blocked. They scored it a draw, all three judges had Byrd winning, which I did too. I personally had it either 117-111, or 116-112, I don't remember at the moment.

Anyway, this is a true masterpiece, posting it so Byrd gets credit for one of the most underrated performances of the 2000's. Pay special attention to the last 15 seconds of the fight, Byrd shows some of the greatest slickness you will ever see, regardless of weight class, in the closing seconds, making Tua look like an absolute fool!

>> VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYg4P9LZ2ck <<

 

You can probably make a legitimate argument for that, but it's subjective.

One thing that it is absolutely undeniable is Tua's punching power, he was a HELLACIOUS puncher. He was in tremendous shape for this fight, he wasn't the gassing Tua we all came to see sporadically. To be an undersized guy like Byrd, who was at a huge size and strength advantage, and manage to completely avoid Tua's power all night is incredible, regardless if you think Tua is overrated. He was frequently bullied into the corner, yet was able to stand toe to toe, dodging and blocking all of Tua's shots, for 12 rounds straight.

How many heavyweights in history could fight a guy like Tua, using this strategy, and not getting their blocks knocked off? Bet you can name them on one hand. He didn't have a huge size advantage like Lewis, he couldn't just lay back behind a jab and stay out of range. He straight up used amazing ring smarts, and slickness to avoid any trouble, against a truly amazing puncher, who was in great shape, throwing bombs the whole time.

He was at a huge size, strength, and power disadvantage, but used incredible slickness to absolutely own the fight. This was simply a great masterpiece by Byrd.