Chris Byrd is a classic example of one of the nice guys in boxing. A role-model if you will.
And nice guys finish last.
So according to the cliche, perhaps Byrd will soon get his career-defining victory.
But in the game of boxing, that’s rarely the case. In boxing, the promoters finish last.
Not to say that Germany is an insecure place for American boxers, but if history repeats itself next Saturday, IBF Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd is bound to lose his title when he travels to Mannheim, Germany to take on former foe Wladimir Klitschko.
The bout, a rematch of their WBO title match from 2000 won by the German-based Ukrainian, is already perceived by many to be a forgone conclusion.
Presumably so, many American boxers have gone across the continent only to comeback with another ‘L’ added to their record. And the fact that Klitschko won their initial bout in a convincing manner makes Byrd a decisive underdog yet again.
HOW ABOUT THAT WHITE RUSSIAN?
At one point during my college years, I was in a phase where I continuously consumed a drink called the White Russian. The drink, which consisted of vodka, coffee liqueur and cream (or milk), tasted pretty much like Ice Coffee and above all, it was easy to down.
But that is not to say that the White Russian was one of my all-time favorites. At times, its unbalanced mixture of substance, made me sick after only two drinks or at worst, gave me the runs.
In the end, I stick with my Jim Beam, classic bourbon that leaves consistency at its best.
MURKY OR MILKY? THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION, WHITER THAN EVER!
Well, in a division which has been predominantly ruled by the Blacks over the past century (with an exception of Jack Dempsey and Rocky Marciano), the White boys are gradually starting to take over.
But like the alcoholic beverage, these White boys aren’t exactly American.
Dare I say it, here come the White Russians.
If Oleg Maskaev manages to lift the WBC title from Hasim Rahman later this year, he subsequently could join Wladimir Klitschko (should he win against Byrd), Nicolay Valuev, and Serguei Liakhovich as the fourth White Russian heavyweight champion all in the same timeframe.
Who would’ve ever thought that the heavyweight division would one day ruled by not only one, but four Russians?
BYRD, THE AMERICAN HOPE?
In the wake of Lamon Brewster’s recent title loss to Belarusian Serguei Liakhovich, Chris Byrd without much debate stands tall as the leading heavyweight candidate.
Ironically, at 215lbs, the Flint, Michigan-native is without a doubt is the smallest titlist in a division filled with mid-upper 200lb giants.
Since capturing the vacant IBF title against the faded Evander Holyfield, the 92′ Olympics Silver Medallist really hasn’t received any real public recognition. Even before his title winning effort in 2002, Byrd has always been disregarded by many as a boring southpaw with no punching power.
With an ongoing financial dispute against promoter Don King, Byrd has been sidelined much like a typical mandatory challenger who patiently waits in line.
Barely fighting once or if lucky, twice a year, Byrd has fallen off the limelight that was never there to begin with.
At this point, Chris Byrd has already become a forgotten champion.
Marty Mulcahey could be writing a piece on Byrd anytime now.
But alongside Hasim Rahman, who holds the WBC belt, Byrd might as well be the ‘Black Hope’ in the heavyweight landscape.
By many, a win over Klitschko could solidify Byrd’s claim as the best heavyweight in the world.
Against Klitschko, Byrd again enters the ring as the much smaller guy, facing a man who outweighs him by approximately thirty pounds. Their initial encounter, which took place in Germany on October of 2000, was easily won by Klitschko, who utilized his height and reach to downplay his much shorter opponent. Byrd, who was knocked down twice, took a severe beating en route to a lopsided unanimous decision .
Since then, the two have taken opposite routes to where they stand now, but fate has brought them together four years later.
Byrd had gone to win the another world title, and so far has defended it on four separate outings. Klitschko however, fell out of the heavyweight picture faster than Ruben Studdard’s singing career, as he would suffer knockout losses to an old Corrie Sanders and recent WBO champion Lamon Brewster.
But keeping the hopes alive, Klitschko would rebound with a significant title eliminator win over the dangerous Sam Peter, setting up this rematch.
FREE BYRD
On an interesting note, this will be Byrd’s first fight since severing ties with Promoter Don King. Without any legal disputes and litigations, Byrd presumably enters the ring without any formal distractions.
In addition, Klitschko’s recently exposed vulnerability could also be a factor in determining the outcome.
But at age thirty-five and a stretch of inactivity, just how much of ‘Rapid Fire’ does Byrd have left?
Perhaps he could learn from the recent Super Middleweight unification bout between Joe Calzaghe and Jeff Lacy.
If there’s any time to turn the clock, now is the right time.
The odds are stacked and it’s up to Byrd to make history.