Tommy Morrison vs Chris Byrd

I think a bit of discredit going both ways on these two boxers. Chris Byrd is the most under-valued boxer from the late 90's-2000's, the man was a defensive genius able to hold his own amongst the big boys and win a portion of the title. He must of had something cause Lennox Lewis avoided him like he was the plague, queue the fanboys but it's the truth, he was the next best for a few years and Lewis opted to fight people like Grant who was a proper hype job. Tommy Morrison was a hype job himself, but he did have enough to back it up and was easily hovering around the top 10. I don't think this fight goes either way easily, a tough fight for both with more leaning in favour for Byrd, he was a defensive genius, slick and slippery, yeah he didn't bang but he didn't need to, technically great and a decent chin. I think the worst thing that happens to Byrd is that Morrison fights it with caution to try and not gas out, using his combos selectively to try and set up his big hook. Ultimately Byrd will have his number technically, if Tommy comes in to blast him out, Byrd loves that inside frustration defence, causing Morrison to miss with heaps of punches and we all know when you miss with a power shot it sucks the energy right out of you, Morrison gasses out and collapses in the later rounds or loses on points. If Morrison is cautious he has a better chance, but his combos were repetitive and Byrd will be able to sus them out, either moving in to frustrate him or letting him throw away and slipping and sliding away causing Morrison to miss. Morrison's best chance is to set up his hook in the first 4-5 rounds after that Byrd takes over with his defensive smarts, can't really see Byrd stopping him though only through Morrison's exhaustion. More than likely going to the cards some nail biting rounds for Byrd early on but he takes over in the latter rounds frustrsting the Duke. Pts win for Byrd, he wins 3/2 out of 5 match ups.

 

I will pick Byrd by decision although Morrison has a chance to Ike him.

 

90s Byrd by stoppage. 2000s Byrd by decision.

 

Byrd UD.