I am surprised at some of the comments about Byrd on this forum. Some say he was lucky to get the nod against Golota, Williamson and McCline, yet...
Byrd was also preparing for a much smaller opponent. He hadn't even seen Vitali fight previously. It was probably the Byrd Man's best...
Toney knocked out Wlad in sparring. Toney would surprise a lot of people against both brothers. Toney was underrated at heavyweight.
Byrd said that he kept calling Lewis's bluff in negotiations by accepting any deal they offered him. That's how bad he wanted the fight. Lewis...
Ignore
- In the rematch, Holyfield won at least 4 rounds against Lewis. It was a close fight that Lewis deservedly won. Holyfield only won 3 rounds...
Some people recognise that the Byrd Man was underappreciated in the early 2000s. I salute them.
Prime Byrd (2000-2003) vs Prime Tyson (1987-1988) would be a very interesting fight. Perhaps Tyson would win by knockout. Perhaps Byrd would...
Yes. He knew Byrd was all wrong for him. No disrespect to Lewis, who is one of the best ever, but Byrd would have given him a lot of issues.
- Byrd clearly won rounds 5 and 9 against Vitali. He won more rounds against him as really. I had him 1 round up before Vitali retired. - Byrd...
Byrd on points. Wlad is the only heavyweight from that era that had Byrd's number.
No Byrd won rounds 3, 5 and 9. Rounds 6-8 were about even.
On the scorecards? Yes. But they were misleading. It was an even fight before Vitali quit and Byrd was starting to take over.
He had to fight a completely different, and better opponent, on little more than a weeks notice. That's impressive.
Byrd had Vitali figured out by round 5.
