26 Facts About Chris Byrd

1.

Chris Byrd is a two-time world heavyweight champion, having first won the WBO title in 2000 after an upset corner stoppage over then-undefeated Vitali Klitschko.

2.

In 2002, Byrd defeated Evander Holyfield to win the IBF heavyweight title for his second reign as world champion.

3.

Chris Byrd made four successful defenses until losing his title again to Wladimir Klitschko in a 2006 rematch.

4.

Chris Byrd was ranked by BoxRec as the world's top 10 heavyweight from 1996 to 2003, reaching his highest ranking of No 4 in 1998.

5.

Chris Byrd is a three-time national amateur champion, winning the light middleweight title in 1989, and the middleweight title in 1991 and 1992.

6.

Chris Byrd was the youngest of eight children growing up in Flint, Michigan.

7.

Chris Byrd's father continued to train and manage Byrd as a professional.

8.

Chris Byrd began competing in the ring at age 10, since then he had 285 amateur fights in various weight classes, compiled an impressive record of 275 wins, 10 losses.

9.

Chris Byrd was on the 1991 US National boxing Team that became the first US team to score a tie against the heralded Cuban team.

10.

Chris Byrd won the silver medal in the 1992 Barcelona summer Olympics as a middleweight, losing to Cuba's Ariel Hernandez in the final.

11.

Chris Byrd turned professional on January 28,1993, knocking out 10 of his first 13 opponents.

12.

Chris Byrd moved up to heavyweight three fights into his professional career.

13.

Chris Byrd remained undefeated for his first 26 fights, knocking off then-notable opponents like Phil Jackson, Lionel Butler, Uriah Grant, Bert Cooper, Craig Peterson, Frankie Swindell, Jimmy Thunder, undefeated Eliecer Castillo and Ross Puritty.

14.

Chris Byrd therefore had only seven days to prepare for the fight.

15.

Six months later, Chris Byrd was back in Germany to defend the title against Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali's younger, more agile brother.

16.

Twelve rounds later, Chris Byrd had lost a lopsided unanimous decision and the WBO belt after being knocked down twice.

17.

Chris Byrd returned to the US, signed with Don King and beat Maurice Harris to win the United States Boxing Association heavyweight belt in Madison Square Garden.

18.

Chris Byrd was now a top-five contender for the IBF title.

19.

On December 14,2002, Chris Byrd won a unanimous decision and the IBF title.

20.

Chris Byrd has successfully defended the IBF belt against: Fres Oquendo in 2003, a highly entertaining draw with Andrew Golota and a decision win over friend Jameel McCline in 2004, and DaVarryl Williamson in 2005.

21.

Chris Byrd was making his fifth defense of his IBF title and the fight was sanctioned by the International Boxing Organization for its title, which had been vacated upon the retirement of Lennox Lewis.

22.

Chris Byrd was heavily dominated throughout the fight, was down in the fifth, and again in the seventh.

23.

Referee Wayne Kelly stopped the fight after the second knockdown when Chris Byrd had an open cut near his eyes.

24.

Chris Byrd fought Shaun George on May 16,2008, at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

25.

Chris Byrd was dropped by George in round one and rocked again in round two.

26.

Chris Byrd beat the count after the first knockdown, but was then battered down again and the bout was waved off by the referee.