Best fights of Chris Byrd
Over 16 years as a professional, Chris Byrd has compiled a 41-5-1 (22) record, including ten title fights. Here are his top 10 best fights.
1. Chris Byrd stops Vitali Klitschko
On April 1, 2000 Chris Byrd fought Vitali Klitschko for the WBO heavyweight title. Byrd was 29 years old with a record of 30-1, and Klitschko was 28 with a record of 27-0. Byrd was on a 4-fight winning streak and Klitschko was on an undefeated 27-fight winning streak. Byrd stopped Vitali Klitschko via retirement in the 9th round. Crowned the new heavyweight champion.
2. Chris Byrd defeats David Tua
On August 18, 2001 Chris Byrd defended his IBF-USBA heavyweight title against David Tua. Byrd was 31 years old with a record of 33-2, and Tua was 28 with a record of 38-2. Byrd was on a 2-fight winning streak and Tua was coming off a win. Byrd won via unanimous decision. Defended the title.
3. Chris Byrd defeats Evander Holyfield
On December 14, 2002 Chris Byrd fought Evander Holyfield for the vacant IBF heavyweight title. Byrd was 32 years old with a record of 35-2, and Holyfield was 40 with a record of 38-5-2. Byrd was on a 4-fight winning streak and Holyfield was coming off a win. Byrd won via unanimous decision. Won the vacant title.
4. Chris Byrd defeats Fres Oquendo
On September 20, 2003 Chris Byrd defended his IBF heavyweight title against Fres Oquendo. Byrd was 33 years old with a record of 36-2, and Oquendo was 30 with a record of 24-1. Byrd was on a 5-fight winning streak and Oquendo was on a 2-fight winning streak. Byrd won via unanimous decision. Defended the title.
5. Chris Byrd defeats Jameel McCline
On November 13, 2004 Chris Byrd defended his IBF heavyweight title against Jameel McCline. Byrd was 34 years old with a record of 37-2-1, and McCline was 34 with a record of 31-3-3. McCline was on a 3-fight winning streak. Byrd won via split decision. Defended the title.
6. Chris Byrd defeats DaVarryl Williamson
On October 1, 2005 Chris Byrd defended his IBF heavyweight title against DaVarryl Williamson. Byrd was 35 years old with a record of 38-2-1, and Williamson was 37 with a record of 22-3. Byrd was coming off a win and Williamson was on a 2-fight winning streak. Byrd won via unanimous decision. Defended the title.
7. Chris Byrd defeats Maurice Harris
On May 12, 2001 Chris Byrd fought Maurice Harris for the vacant IBF-USBA heavyweight title. Byrd was 30 years old with a record of 32-2, and Harris was 25 with a record of 18-10-2. Byrd was coming off a win and Harris was on a 2-fight winning streak. Byrd won via unanimous decision. Won the vacant title.
8. Chris Byrd draws with Andrew Golota
On April 17, 2004 Chris Byrd defended his IBF heavyweight title against Andrew Golota. Byrd was 33 years old with a record of 37-2, and Golota was 36 with a record of 38-4. Byrd was on a 6-fight winning streak and Golota was on a 2-fight winning streak. The fight ended in a split decision.
9. Chris Byrd loses to Wladimir Klitschko via unanimous decision
On October 14, 2000 Chris Byrd defended his WBO heavyweight title against Wladimir Klitschko. Byrd was 30 years old with a record of 31-1, and Klitschko was 24 with a record of 34-1. Byrd was on a 5-fight winning streak and Klitschko was on a 10-fight winning streak. Byrd lost via unanimous decision. Lost the title. Went the distance with Klitschko.
10. Chris Byrd defeats Eliecer Castillo
On May 30, 1998 Chris Byrd faced Eliecer Castillo in a cruiserweight bout. Byrd was 27 years old with a record of 24-0, and Castillo was 27 with a record of 14-0. Byrd was on an undefeated 24-fight winning streak and Castillo was on an undefeated 14-fight winning streak. Byrd won via unanimous decision.