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Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd

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Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd
Date1 April 2000
VenueEstrel Convention Center, Neukoelln, Berlin, Germany
Title(s) on the lineWBO Heavyweight Championship
Tale of the tape
Boxer Ukraine Vitali Klitschko United States Chris Byrd
Nickname "Dr. Ironfist" "Rapid Fire"
Hometown Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine Flint, Michigan, US
Pre-fight record 27–0 (27 KO) 30–1 (18 KO)
Age 28 years, 8 months 29 years, 7 months
Height 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) 6 ft 1+1⁄2 in (187 cm)
Weight 244+1⁄4 lb (111 kg) 210+3⁄4 lb (96 kg)
Style Orthodox Southpaw
Recognition WBO
Heavyweight Champion		 WBO
No. 10 Ranked Heavyweight
Result
Byrd defeated Klitschko via 9th round corner retirement

Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd, was a professional boxing match contested on 1 April 2000 for the WBO Heavyweight Championship.[1]

Background

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After knocking out Herbie Hide to win the WBO belt, Vitali Klitschko had made two stoppage defences against Ed Mahone, and Obed Sullivan. He was ranked 7th in the world by Ring magazine. He had planned to face Donovan Ruddock, however, he pulled out due to a hepatitis infection and Chris Byrd (who had been training for a bout with Lawrence Clay-Bey) stepped in at 10 days notice to take the fight.

The fight

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Klitschko controlled most of the fight with Byrd being elusive and making himself a difficult target. After 9 rounds Vitali had suffered a torn rotator cuff and despite being clearly ahead on the scorecards (88-83, 88-83, & 89-82) he retired on his stool handing the win to Byrd. Harold Lederman, HBO's unofficial judge, had Klitschko ahead 88-83 at the time of the stoppage.[2]

Aftermath

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Vitali's status as a rising star of the Heavyweight division took a knock after this with HBO commentator Larry Merchant saying, "He doesn’t have the mentality of a champion. I can hardly believe what I just saw." Byrd's first defence in October was against the WBO's top contender, and Vitali's younger brother Wladimir Klitschko, who avenged his brother's loss with a clear decision victory. [3]

Undercard

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Confirmed bouts:[4]

Broadcasting

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Country Broadcaster
 Germany Sat.1
 United States HBO

References

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  1. ^ "Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd - BoxRec". boxrec.com.
  2. ^ "01/04/2000: Vitali Klitschko (WBO) vs Chris Byrd". heavyweightheroes.wordpress.com. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  3. ^ "April 1, 2000: Klitschko vs Byrd". thefightcity.com.
  4. ^ "BoxRec - event".
Preceded by Vitali Klitschko' bouts
1 April 2000 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
vs. David Washington
 Chris Byrd's bouts
1 April 2000 		Succeeded by
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