Love Byrd. One of my personal favourites, but I think Haye is at a stylistic advantage. Haye generally struggled with pressure fighters, big punchers or big punchers who were big & tall. Byrd doesn't fit any of those categories and Haye was a very good technical boxer with speed, power, footwork & great reflexes. Byrd will not be faster nor have a huge defence advantage as Haye was good defensively himself. Haye via UD or Late Stoppage.
Haye dodged many of the cruiserweight division in mid 00s he knew he would have a fight with the top guys not old 35year old Mormeck.
Well, Haye actually fought Wlad and even though it was a lackluster performance by Haye he did hurt Wlad in the end and went the distance. Byrd probably goes through hell in the first few rounds and beats Haye by points or late stoppage.
Byrd went the distance with Wlad the first time as well. They (Haye and Byrd) both won around two rounds. Wlad was always better in rematches though, so of course he caught Byrd the second time.
Yes, I forgot about the first fight and changed my post after. Second fight Byrd was past his best, I think Prime Byrd would of lasted the second as well.
Byrd, despite not being big puncher, would stop Haye with an insane flurry of punches. Hey would complain of a phantom injury.
Byrd announced before the fight Wlad can't take a punch and Byrd was going to walk him down and ko him. He actually believed this and tried. Didn't go so well for him.
Byrd could fight when he needed to and was a superb boxer, i think if he can take the hayemakers best punch he could outbox Haye or dare i say outfight him. I could see it happening.
Both counter punchers, it might end up being a stinker. Haye's always been more impressive when opponents come to him and that isn't Byrd, though Byrd does too often stand in front of opponents and that could cost him against a puncher like Haye much like it did vs Ibeabuchi. But based on resume and that I think Byrd is the better boxer and Haye can't pressure like Ike, Byrd wins a UD in a lacklustre affair.