Not good news. http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/sports/index.ssf/2008/08/joe_byrd_opens_new_gym_chris_b.html Joe Byrd opens new gym; Chris Byrd to box again by Dan Nilsen | The Flint Journal Sunday August 24, 2008, 9:45 PM FLINT, Michigan One thing about the Byrds: They don't quit. Flint's first family of boxing might be getting on in years, but they're still very much involved in trying to revive a sport that has been in decline for years, locally and nationally. Joe Byrd unveiled a new gym Sunday in Mt. Morris Twp., and son Chris Byrd announced there he plans to resume a 16-year professional career after his surgically repaired shoulder heals. Most of the family was on hand for the grand opening of the Joe Byrd Boxing Academy at 6020 N. Saginaw St., in the heart of the Beecher community. The 4,000-square foot facility replaces the much smaller gym at 108 W. Dewey that housed the club for 17 years. Joe Byrd said he moved because the old building was up for sale, and he now has plans to hold boxing shows at the new location, launch an amateur boxing league around the Midwest and produce an Olympian for the next summer games in 2012. At 72, the former U.S. Olympic team coach hasn't slowed down. "I've slowed down, but I was going so fast before, I've just leveled off now," he cracked. Sons Patrick and Ronnie Byrd will continue to assist their father in training young boxers, with the bigger goal of rebuilding the sport. "We need to bring boxing back in the U.S.," said Patrick. "Look at the Olympics: one bronze medal (for the American team)." The new gym is located just south of I-475, across the street from the old Beecher High, where Courtney Hawkins has revived the Bucs football program. Just down the street is King's Karate. "This is like Champions Road here, with Jacky King, Joe Byrd and Courtney Hawkins," said Dave Korrey, vice president of the Beecher Business Association. The larger facility holds an 18x18-foot ring, a step up from the 10x10 ring on Dewey St., where Chris honed the elusive style that made him world champion. Now down to light-heavyweight, Chris vows to come back from a May 16 loss to Shaun George in which his left shoulder suffered torn muscles and broken bone. He said he could be cleared to spar in three weeks and hopes to fight again by November. "I still have goals. I want to be the third person in history to go from heavyweight to light-heavy and win the title," said Chris, who turned 38 this month. "But I have to change my mentality. Everything's coming at me at warp speed. These guys are quick and they can punch pretty good." Chris said he prayed for guidance and then had to convince wife Tracy, who wanted him to retire after the May fight but has softened her stance. "He's never made a bad decision for our family," she said. "If he really feels that this is what the Lord wants him to do, then who am I to stand in the way? I tried to tell him that God was wrong, but it didn't go over so well."
If Byrd gets his act together he will be IBF/WBO champ by 2010. He will then fight a unification match with Minto to determine the heavyweight of the decade.
Him and his father are delusional. Shame on his father for letting him continue with his boxing career.
Well it depends on the opposition,if he fights guys who aren't that good he might win some but I don't see the point.And in a packed division I don't see who he could fight to beat even on a smallerlevel,if he got beaten by a slick fighter in George wonder what Cloud would do to him?
I really hate this for Bryd. He has no business back in the ring after what happened to him on FNF a few months back. He's shot and needs to think about doing something else.
Even God wants you to retire Chris. When George is bouncing you around the ring, you now it's time to retire.