Klitschko vs. Byrd: Finally a Heavyweight Fight That Brought Clarity in It's Wake...
By Chris Ackerman, (April 24, 2006)
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Photo © Daniel Hiller HoganPhotos.com
Saturday night in Mannheim saw IBF Champion Chris Byrd defending his title in a rematch with former titlist Wladimir Klitschko. It was difficult to see a way to favor Byrd in this match-up given the extraordinary size and power of Dr. Steelhammer, his technical prowess and the history between the two. The fight played out much as anticipated but was more of a walkover than anyone dared predict. Here's how it went down:

Round 1

BO-RING...Both fighters came out tentative in what could be described as a feeling out or range-finding round. Wlad kept his left arm almost completely extended, just pawing a soft little jab into Byrd's glove. A few snuck through but with no intention or authority (Manny Steward clarified this as part of the strategy they worked out to make it impossible for Byrd to see the right hand coming). Byrd scored a couple body shots that had Harold Lederman give him the round. I saw it for Klitschko.

Round 2

This was a huge round for Klitschko as he found a home for the big one-two combo and strafed Byrd with a few big shots. Chris took them well but he stayed right in the danger zone that cost him the night in their first meeting. It already looks like big trouble and short night for Byrd.

2-0 Klitschko

Round 3

Ouch. Byrd ate some more big shots. It looked like he was thinking about taking Wlad into the deep rounds and trying to make him be more active than he should be...punch himself out, get fatigued. Chris is tough and at 213 is in great shape but he took big damage in the third.

3-0 Klitschko

Round 4

Byrd walked into a huge right hand as the two came together to engage. He continued smiling and smirking after tasting big shots but did nothing in terms of offense. Chris seemed to be trying to wear Wlad down with his face, but the strategy doesn't seem to be working as Klitschko seems patient and focused. This was a brutal beat down through 4 and Wlad looks powerful, fast and dangerous. Byrd desperately needed to try something new because, tough as he is, he can't sustain this beating. Its a washout.

4-0 Klitschko

Round 5

Horrible round. Byrd got decked by a big right that followed a stiff Klitschko jab. He spent the remainder of the 5th being eaten alive. He was badly hurt the whole round, wobbly on his feet and at one point dropped his hands with his back to the rope and looked to the ref as though he was asking for a stoppage. To his credit, he survived and came back but he's a dead man walking now. Byrd is one tough man...

5-0 Klitschko (10-8 round)

Round 6

Wlad settled, content to jab, jab, jab, the hurting kind, then fire the big right here and there. Byrd followed him around and chewed on leather throughout. I saw him land one punch in the 6th round... maybe two if you're creative. Byrd looked shaken and tired. Klitschko had lots left.

6-0 Klitschko

Round 7

The end is nigh and then that was that. Byrd got dropped by another massive right that punctuated a little combo. Again he got up and walked over to the ropes on noodles. The ref turned him around and took one look at his bloodied face and glassy eyes and waved it off. Byrd got destroyed, absolutely annihilated by the new IBF champion.

It would appear Wladimir Klitschko once again has his feet under him and coming off a couple impressive wins over vastly different styles, he's cemented his place in the division. He is the biggest money fight out there for any of the alphabet soupers but is also the most dangerous fight for any of them. Three of the four 'titlists' at heavy are from Eastern Europe and Rahman is defending against possibly the fourth in Oleg Maskaev...a man who knocked him cold their last time out. Regardless of this demographic anomaly, the point is that Wlad Klitschko is the best of the lot and seems to have brushed aside critics of his abilities and chin. We'll see.

Chris Byrd was gracious in defeat as always and conducted himself as the class act he is. He gave all the credit to Klitschko and admitted to never being in the fight in spite of successful sparring and a strategy he truly believed in. He acknowledged being hit with everything, and once again being unable to avoid Wlad's shots, many of which he never trained for. He also chastised himself for not moving his head and for truly believing he was the tougher, stronger guy and would be able to push Klitschko around.

Finally a heavyweight tilt that brought a little clarity in its wake. There's a guy who brings the crowds and the money (at least on the continent) with a belt who is a big lure for other 'champions' to look to stare down. With the chin question still out there, the aura of invincibility is gone so hopefully one of them will sign up. My two cents would be for Klitschko to call out Valuev. I don't see it taking more than 2 or 3 rounds for him to take the huge man's title, and then continue the unification quest.

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