Chris Byrd Wins Returns by KO
Thursday April 19, 2007
Former heavyweight champ Chris Byrd (40-3-1), fighting for the first time since losing his IBF title to Wladimir Klitschko last April, wanted an easy opponent and that's exactly what he got in 40-year-old Paul Marinaccio (22-3-2). Byrd was in complete control from the opening bell and while Marinacccio was never in trouble, the journeyman elected not to come out for the seventh round due to an "elbow injury". The stoppage marked Byrd's first knock out since stopping Jeff Pegues via third round TKO in June 2002. At 36, Byrd is looking to get back into the mix for another title shot.
Comments
I found the Byrd ring return amazingly dull. Byrd seemed too slow, too heavy and not on target against a slower although bigger opponent. Both fighters seemed to lack any power, although Byrd hit the guy an awful lot, enough to give him a reason not to come out in the seventh. This fight really proves nothing for Byrd in terms of his placement in the heavyweight division. Byrd is, I think, just too small in a division of giants with power to match–I don’t think he can be competitive any more. Rather than see him get really hurt (he is 36 now) or try to make a lighter weight and not get any attention of big cas days, perhaps it is time for him to retire. He is such an intelligent and all around good guy, it would be a shame to see him get hurt or humiliated again.
I was surprised that Chris was hit as much as he was. A 40 year old guy with 4 years as a pro managed to land a few reasonable punches in the first couple of rounds. Actually for the first 3 rounds he was solidly in the fight. Maybe Chris just wanted to get rounds.
Being a fan of Chris Byrd I was very disappointed of the opponent picked. A 40 yr old once a year ordinary boxer? Sherman Williams NBA champ, and cruiser Rob Calloyway (TD with new champ Chagaev) also on the card in seperate bouts would have been much better opponents. I was also disappointed to see Julius Fogle, a 6 round boxer with an easy opponent list though having an extensive amatuer background is put into a 10 rounder with a tall southpaw from the country they fight in. Seems Fogle has watched quite a few Roy Jones tapes but with no fire power to hold off his opponent Jermain Mackey it was a matter of time before he wore down. At 35 the future is very bleak for him. Seems Byrd will remain stubborn and refuse to lose the needed 15 pounds to get down to cruiser so he will continue to be a David among Goliaths.
Byrd’s performance here could spell doom if he faces Klitschko. A reason he could be “stalling” the fight is perhaps he was getting a couple of rounds. But he’s getting hit. The younger Klitschko is of another level - a higher level.
I believe Byrd is gonna get annihilated when he faces IBF champ Wladimir sometime this year.
You all have it wrong ! Chris Bird did very good, you have to remember his first fight back in a year and he fought a south paw. DAH!!!!!!