Chris Byrd
- Nickname: Rapid Fire
- Date of Birth: 15th August 1970 (54 years old)
- Retired: 21st March 2009 (Career length: 16 years 1 months)
- Status: Retired
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Nationality:
USA -
Birthplace:
Flint, Michigan, USA
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Residence:
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
- Division: Heavyweight
- Height: 189cm
- Reach: 191cm
- Stance: Southpaw
- BoxRec: Chris Byrd
- Debut: 28th January 1993
Biography
Christopher Cornelius Byrd, born on August 15, 1970, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2009. He is recognized for being a two-time world heavyweight champion. Byrd first captured the WBO heavyweight title in 2000 after defeating then-undefeated Vitali Klitschko via an upset corner stoppage. Later that year, he lost the title to Vitali's brother, Wladimir Klitschko. Byrd secured the IBF heavyweight title in 2002 by defeating Evander Holyfield and successfully defended it four times before losing it to Wladimir Klitschko in a 2006 rematch. BoxRec ranked Byrd in the world's top 10 heavyweights from 1998 to 2004, achieving his highest ranking of No. 3 in 2000.
Byrd, the youngest of eight children, grew up in Flint, Michigan, where he began boxing at age five under the guidance of his father, Joe Sr., at the Joe Byrd Boxing Academy. He attended Flint Northwestern High School. Byrd's amateur career was distinguished by 275 wins and ten losses out of 285 fights. He was a three-time U.S. amateur champion and won a silver medal in the middleweight division at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics.
Byrd turned professional on January 28, 1993, quickly moving to heavyweight. He remained undefeated in his first 26 fights, defeating notable opponents such as Phil Jackson, Lionel Butler, and Uriah Grant. Byrd's undefeated streak ended in 1999 against Ike Ibeabuchi.
In 2000, Byrd stepped in on short notice to fight Vitali Klitschko for the WBO Heavyweight Title, winning by technical knockout due to Klitschko's injury. Six months later, he lost the title to Wladimir Klitschko. Byrd bounced back, signing with Don King, and defeated Evander Holyfield for the IBF title 2002. He defended the title successfully against several contenders before losing to Wladimir Klitschko again in 2006.
Following a loss to Alexander Povetkin, Byrd moved down to light heavyweight and retired in 2010. Post-retirement, he hosts a weekly video podcast, "Byrd's Eye View," focusing on boxing. He grew up in a boxing family with his brother Patrick, sister Tracy, and cousin Lamon Brewster, who were also involved in professional boxing. Byrd has appeared in documentaries, including "Beyond the Ropes" and "Klitschko," discussing his career and fights with the Klitschko brothers.