Can someone knock Chris Byrd out already?

[Bam Bam]

I'm obviously not a big Chris Byrd fan. I have never liked Andrew Golota more than I do now. Honestly, Golota needs to drop this bum, and its a good time, because lately, its the season for separating the men from the boys in the heavyweight divsion

GO GOLOTA!!!!!
With the recent trend in th HW division, Im gonna pick Golota to knock this guy out late......(crossing fingers)

[cubedrum]

You're dreaming. Golota wasn't fast enough to catch Byrd in 1996, at his peak. What makes you think that his inactivity won't rust Golota into slow motion? He never was that quick, and his heart is questionable, and a slugger with questionable skills NEEDS that big heart to get to the late rounds so he can land the big shot on his tired opponent. Byrd doesn't get the credit he deserves. Fres Oquendo should have been disqualified at least twice during his fight with Byrd. Golota and Oquendo are an embarrassment to boxing. At age 36 Golota is a no hoper for the title(s), and anyone who promotes him after he quit on his ass against Tyson and didn't throw more than 5 punches against Lennox deserves to get burned. It's only Golota's 4th fight scheduled for 12 rounds, and he's got 12 years fighting under his belt. Even Joe Mesi could take him.

Cube

[crusadecat]

I really think that Byrd is going to win this fight. I really sense that the Big Heavies time is over. Obviously the exception will be the winner of the big fight next weekend. I think the new top heavywt list will be .
Champ. Vitali Klitschsko
1. Chris Byrd
2. Roy Jones Jr.
3. Fres Oquendo
I could be way off base but just going by Ring Rankings and thinking about what it will look like thats my view.

[sigma]

I think the division is in as bad as shape as its ever been. I almost long for the days of Berbick,Thomas,Tubbs and Witherspoon LOL

[crusadecat]

Yes Its awful. Its really sad but true that George Foreman could in all likelihood be a belt holder.

[sigma]

I hope an exciting new HW comes along soon. I would say the division is overdue for a savior. I just don't see any of the current prospects fitting the description.

[maxx]

Ike Ibeabuchi sure knew how to take Byrd out. Unfortunately, just about the only thing Ike & Golota have in common these days is that they're both nut cases and wasted talent. I think Byrd will frustrate Golata all night long.

What I'm wondering, though, is why this card is even pretending to be a PPV matchup. Hell, the free fights on NBC earlier in the day should be more entertaining. As someone who spends more than he should on PPV fights, these guys won't be seeing a nickel from me.

[erickdamac]

Im tired of all this the division is at a bad shape shut it up already we have a handful off great fighters, and chris is not no bum! Is he a rocky marciano that loses all his fights and come back no! But he is a masterful boxer give these boxers credit, Oh yeah no that the klitsco time is up, now the division awful? bunch of bull!
is the division at it best? NO but is it Bad? NO!

[hamed]

I agree maxx, I could not believe that card is PPV. You know Fres & Ruiz will be a boring decision. Golata/Byrd will be a strange one! I'd like to see Braithwaite & especially Mayorga! In fact, it's too bad HBO doesn't have Mayorga on the undercard of the WBC heavyweight title bout next week since Forrest had to pull out.

We're very lucky the Pacquiao/Marquez fight is on HBO - that should be one entertaining bout!

As to potential heavyweight contenders, I'd like to see more of JC Gomez & Toney. Both those guys talk some smack & have some skills.

[guitarman]

Byrd is a bum. He puts you to sleep watching him. He has no punching power. He runs the whole fight. If he wins a fight it is because the other fighter is worn out trying to catch him the whole fight or the corrupt paid for judges in the sport give it to him. He tries to imitate the great Ali but the difference is his punches are like a girl smacking the face of the other boxer. It is sad the division has sunk to such a low that a Chris Byrd is fighting for major belts and actually can win them.

[erickdamac]

Yeah but he wins right? They say evander is dirty but he win? Respect the man,he wins fights!

[sigma]

Byrd is decent but he will never inspire water cooler talk amongst the casual boxing fans. I would say the same about Ruiz,Klitschko's,Oquendo,Ruiz and Toney.
The HW division needs a dominant exciting champion to create some buzz. Fair or not HW fights create the ratings on tv.

[Bam Bam]

Thank you guitarman, my feelings exactly. He doesn't look anything like Ali, he throws these terrible little pitter pat punches, and people think that's boxing.
Chris Byrd IS a bum....and an embarassment to heavyweights period.

[erickdamac]

No Bam and everyone else, I dont get how can you call him a bum when he wins? If he wins by punching with his ass he wins the judges see the fight 3 of them, Fight after fight and he dont RUN WHEN DOES HE RUN? I never seen chris fight a fight like vernon forrest did againstmayorga the second time! He always right there! So like him or not jus dont call him a bum cuz if he is a bum wat is vitli klitsko? Holyfield? Tua? The list goes on and on!

[Bam Bam]

I won't deny it, if Chris Byrd gets another points victory I won't be scratching my head trying to figure out why. But now if he scores a KO, I might have to lighten up the Byrd hating.
Thing is, only time I've seen the guy actually stop running and pitterpattering, was against Fres Oquendo. And still I thought Fres got robbed. And if you don't think so watch Byrd's total astonishment when he hears he took the decision, he's blown away for a second.
Also, I never said Golota wasn't a bum either.lol

Contrary to some other people...I think the HW division is very interesting right now, and imo healthy and alive. It's true there are no monsters out there right now, but for the first time all the heavyweights are about on the same footing...I think we'll se some great HW's soon. (not tonight)

[Mr Big]

Eric:

Chris Byrd is a nice guy but a lousy fighter and poor excuse for a "champion." If you don't believe me, watch the replay of his fight against Wladimir Klitschko in October of 2000. As stated earlier, the only time anyone has ever seen him really fight was against Fres Oquendo, when he thought he was behind on the scorecards and was trying to knock Fres out with what amounts to a middleweight punch. He was as surprised as everyone else when the judges gave him the gift decision. He lost 8 out of 12 rounds that night. The judges saw it just the opposite.

[crusadecat]

I had some spare money for a change and nothing to do tonight so I figured what they hey and bought the ppv. The Braithewait fight was uninspiring. Big deal win over Azille. Left with more questions than answers. The Mayorga fight was a wash because he ate himself not only out the title fight but out of the division. They announced Eric Mitchell as his last minute opponent. Only thing I know about him is that his brother is Aaron Mitchell. Eric damn near beat Mayorga. Mayorga won another so what kind of fight. Ruiz-Oquendo was a snoozefest. Actually considered changing the channel for a time. The ref really did a quick stoppage and the Ruiz sleepwalking tour continues. The Byrd Golata fight was very entertaining. Very much a back and forth slugfest. Both were giving and taking. Golata I think had Byrd out a few times and he was rocked by Byrd atleast twice, I had it scored 116-114 Golata actually. It was a 3 way split draw. Golata is definetely back in the mix. He took the ring magazine #1 contender and in my estimation beat em. Gotta throw him in the top 5 which is some indication on the shape of the hw division. A guy who hasn't fought in years draws with ring magazine #1 contender wow. Next week should hopefully crown a champ and bring some sense to the picture. we shall see.

[erickdamac]

Good fight I had it 115-113 for byrd he stuned andrew and andrew did some great work himself!

[Hollywood Blond]

I had it 115-113 Golota. Very close and exciting fight.

[TSalathe]

Originally posted by sigma
Byrd is decent but he will never inspire water cooler talk amongst the casual boxing fans. I would say the same about Ruiz,Klitschko's,Oquendo,Ruiz and Toney.
The HW division needs a dominant exciting champion to create some buzz. Fair or not HW fights create the ratings on tv.

Lest not forget the Summer Olympics. Not sure how our boys will fair there, but sometimes (sometimes) a great crop of champions rise from there.

For those that would like to see who will be representing the U.S click here.