Byrd via UD. Nonetheless, an awkward fight. It wouldn't be a very exciting other than both guys taunting each other...
It would have been interesting to have seen RJJ stick around HW after Ruiz and facing Byrd, who was coming off a win over an old Holyfield. I honestly think Byrd would have posed some problems to RJJ. Still, I think RJJ’s quicker hands and workrate would be more than enough to decision Byrd.
I forgot I made this topic probably because it got no 100 page debate like some other ones here. I do think Jones may of had a a few issues vs Byrd's Southpaw stance, Jones lost to Tarver who was Southpaw although Jones was past his prime, but still Tarver's style bothered him. He was also floored by Del Valle, and had some problems vs Harding who were both Southpaws. Overall this would be a chess match with alot of speed and skills on display, but I think I'd give the edge to Byrd by decision. Although it could be a controversial decision for Jones who was the flashier fighter.
I was kinda hoping this fight would happen right after Jones beat Ruiz as it would have been nice to see him get TWO belts at heavy then preferably retire. Didn’t happen that way. As for the result I’m not sure anymore. At the time it looked like a winnable fight for Jones especially given that Byrd wasn’t a particularly large nor hard hitting heavy. But Chris was still the bigger man and also had the agility and boxing skill to stay on top of Jones which Ruiz didn’t. My guess is that it would have gone the distance on close cards but I can’t say for sure who would have taken it with any confidence.
I was just thinking the other day about how weird it is that Jones is considered a first-tier ATG for winning belts from middle to heavy, when Byrd, a super-middle who who went right to heavy and beat multiple good guys, is not considered great at all. Well, Byrd for me.
Byrd could actually keep a brisk punch output and pace at heavyweight unlike Roy who seemed really spotty and metered with his punches against Ruiz. The added muscle seemed to suck up a lot of oxygen and limited him to throwing punches periodically only after a bit of rest. Byrd would have been the only man punching and working in each of those lulls.
Count me as a weak Jones by UD vote. You want to change the title to Joe Louis VS Vitali Klitschko but then keep the original post the same.