Chris Byrd’s Debut As A Smaller Man Goes Wrong

Chris Byrd’s foray into the light heavyweight division did not go as planned. In a relatively shocking and ultimately sad bout Shaun George TKOd the former heavyweight champ late in the ninth round. Referee Jay Nady stopped the fight after George floored Byrd for the second time that round.

George’s demonstrative and dominating win, he was up 79-72 on all three cards, announced that he is yet another talented fighter in a division proving to be boxing’s finest. Byrd, on the other hand, did not prove that he belonged.

Byrd fought the smaller quicker George as if he were a plodding heavyweight and George did not oblige Byrd’s incorrect assumption. The 5/1 underdog dropped him in the first and pounded him throughout. He never slowed down his unceasing barrage, dancing around Byrd while peppering him with pinpoint punches and scoring numerous head shots. Byrd landed no punches of consequence and never threatened the 29-year-old Brooklyn native. This wasn’t the Byrd we thought we were going to see.

All our pre-fight thoughts regarding Byrd were wrong. His 37-pound weight loss and heavyweight experience did not help him one bit. Rather they proved to be severe hindrances. Byrd looked lost and unfamiliar with his new body, confused about the fight’s speed, too slow to present any kind of defense, and too weak to land any meaningful blows.

Byrd’s inability to be competitive is a sad indictment on the skill level chasm between the heavyweight class and light heavys below. Wlad Kiltschko need not appear on any pound-for-pound lists any time soon.

Chris Byrd really has no place to go from here. The light heavyweight division is full of great fighters and large purses but, last night’s fight showed, the 175-lb. Byrd cannot compete on their level without relearning how to fight as a smaller man would. And even then it’s uncertain that a powerful punch would ever materialize at that lighter weight.

George wasn’t the best choice for Byrd’s intro to a dramatically different style of boxing. He was too good and too focused. If Byrd is to return to the ring and make another attempt at this class then he’ll have to start much further down the competitive ladder. If he does then good luck. If he does not then last night was a farewell to a champion.

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