The bout happened outside of the US and saw Byrd at the age of 55 years of age get back into a boxing ring.
Not many seemed to pick up on it though.
The bout happened earlier at the weekend and Byrd lost in round one.
Here is what happened:
- Byrd was dropped early in the first round after being caught cleanly
- He spent most of the round trapped against the ropes, covering up while absorbing unanswered punishment
- He looked completely devoid of the speed and reflexes that once defined his career
- The referee finally stepped in to wave off the mismatch in the dying embers of the opening round
- It was a one-sided beatdown from start to finish
Context and Controversy:
- Byrd had been retired for 16-17 years since his last pro fight in 2009
- His opponent, Anthony Welsh (3-1), was an unheralded club fighter 27 years his junior
- The fight took place in Zambia at super-middleweight (168 lbs)—a full 30-40 pounds below the heavyweight division where Byrd built his legacy
- The bout was staged for a dubious, low-level title, adding to the farcical nature of the event
- The local commission should be deeply embarrassed for sanctioning this spectacle
- Whoever encouraged Byrd to step back into the ring at this age, knowing the serious health risks, must be held accountable for allowing this dangerous joke of an event to happen
Alas, Byrd looks like he will stay retired after that and it was not a great idea to get back in there at that advanced age.
Not good to see for one of the old heavyweight names in US boxing.
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