Byrd is underrated, yet I think RJJ's speed and style would be wrong for Byrd. Byrd was at his best against bigger/stronger but slower fighters in situations where he could use his speed and guile: Thunder, Tua, Golota, McCline Movers who forced Byrd out of his counterpunching comfort zone gave him problems: Arthur Williams, Oquendo, Williamson. The version of RJJ who beat Ruiz was still quick enough to have potshotted his way to victory over Byrd.
I'll pick Roy. Chris doesn't have power so it will come down to pure speed and athleticism and I think Roy has him edged.
Yeah im going to take Roy as well... fast enough at 193lbs (i think thats what he was against Ruiz) to throw combos on the inside and get out again and then pot shot with the right hand. Still, i think it would be close simply because of Byrd's experience at HW.
Roy would have spark his ass, and Ko'ed him by round 9, for one Roy had nothing to worry about cause Bryd can't punch for **** he slaps, and for 2 Bryd feasted fighting bigger slower fighters, he couldn't deal with people thats as fast or faster than him. I don't understand why this fight wasn't made easy win for Roy, but we can all blame the greatest cherry picker of all time this not happening.
Byrd had better basics than Roy...and had been hit by harder punchers. Byrd's problem would be he'd not chase Roy...so Roy could take all the air breaks he needed. Remember in his prime, Johnson didn't let him take his air breaks. It would have been a tight fight.
i was actually just going to make an appreciation thread for byrd as I have rewatched a lot of his fights and find him to be really underrated by the boxing community especially bigots like larry merchant. As for the match up i like roy by close decision, byrd wouldn't have the power to keep him honest but the stance, jab and angles would be enough to cause roy problems i feel.
