I supposed one way to make a case for him is to point out that there are lesser men in there but I realize that’s kinda weak.
He’s close. If you subscribe to a win is a win is a win. Then his Vitali win helps a lot. But if you say he was trailing and Vitali pulled out with an injury it takes some of the shine off the victory. He beat Vitali an undefeated future HOF He beat Holyfield past prime future HOF Beat Tua, Mccline, Oquendo, had a Draw with Golota. He certainly tried to face many of the best. I think he like Povetkin fall just short but are two of the best non HOF heavies of last 20 years
Some people will likely say yes. But, as someone who watched almost all of his fights live as they happened, I would vote no.
I don't know, I can't say yes for sure. I just said yes to Eubank, Mayorga, and Haye in another thread, and I think those 3 guys are more noteworthy than Byrd, but I think Byrd may have been better than all of them. I feel like most agree without Vitali's shoulder issue he loses pretty soundly. Hard to say, I really didn't care for his style when he was fighting.
honestly I would put all 1980s alphabet champs (Tate, Weaver, Dokes, Coetzee, Witherspoon, Thomas, Page, Tubbs, Berbick, Smith, Tucker] in halls of fame before Byrd & but ' fast track "" Byrd pass ahead of Bruce Seldon & Francois Botha in the queue . if that is an consolation.
He was good…I don’t think people would be mad if he made it but there are those who were better whom didn’t make it yet.
I think of him as an ATG, but I know I am in the minority. A super middle who won fights again Holy. Vitklit and Tua. Tell me whose better? The guy is basically better Pfp the Roy Jones and James Toney.
