SeikanJudanski

What´s there to explain? Klitschko had no answer to Byrd, everytime Klitschko tried to jab him, Byrd met his fist with his own, throwing Klitschko completely out of his game.. Why you think he got injured? Byrd was beating on his arm the whole time.. the only good scene Vitali had was in the first round and when he took Byrd to the ropes..

Can you please provide the quote of Byrd saying he was losing?

Here is for a fact what he said after the fight.

"This [Klitschko] was a 6ft 8ins boxing guy," said the triumphant Byrd. "Guys like Lennox Lewis, Michael Grant, I’ll make them miss all day. I frustrate a big man, that’s why he [Klitschko] got on his toes. I’m 210lbs and I walk him down — what kind of stuff is that? He’s 235lbs [actually 244lbs], 6ft 8ins — that’s crazy!

"Like I always said, I’ll fight any heavyweight in the world, any time.

"Look at me: I’m in Berlin, I’ve lost 8lbs since I’ve been here. I’m a 210lbs, blown-up super middleweight and they don’t want to fight me. Bring ’em!"

Doesn´t sound like Byrd was admitting to losing to anybody. Infact he sounded very cocky.


And let´s look at what Lee Hayes said about the fight, which is exactly the way I saw it too...


Klitschko (27-1, 27 KO's) started strong in the first round controlling the action with a pawing left hook and a lumbering right hand. Klitschko (244) as always appeared robotic and less than fluid as he unloaded a variety of shots on Byrd (31-1, 19 KO's). The left-handed challenger was effectively able to slip a number of punches and had the ability to continually slip Klitschko's jabs. The champion moved his attack to the body and landed a significant number of powerful blows to the ribs and the belly. However, when Klitschko returned to his corner he seemed to be favoring his left arm.

By the fifth round the champion looked like he was starting to run low on fuel. Klitschko seemed listless and unable to solve the portside dancer. At the 1:55 mark of the 5th, Byrd connected with a sharp left hand counter that caught the champion flush on the chin. Moments later, Byrd connected yet again when he scored with a double left hook to the face. Both men traded shots on the inside and with 15-seconds to go in the round, Byrd landed yet another crisp counter left hand to the head. The German crowd came to life after the fifth round and cheered the challenger while he returned to his corner.

Klitschko still seemed in control of the bout in the ninth round but he was also tiring. The champion opened the 9th with a volley of punches and at the 2:01 mark, some of which hit their target. Byrd, 6'1 ½", returned fire and scored with a series of stinging left-hand counters at the 1:47 mark. With just seconds remaining in the 9th, Byrd rallied yet again and connected with a three-punch combination that rattled off the champion's face.

Between rounds Klitschko's corner worked on their injured boxer but ultimately it was the champion's decision to withdraw. Klitschko refused to answer the bell and remained seated while across the ring a shocked Chris Byrd celebrated the stunning victory. The win for Byrd sets up an excellent opportunity for the former United States Silver medallist in the 1992 Games, to face some of the top heavyweights in the sport.

"It means a lot. I can get more fights now, Byrd said. "They don't want to fight me. I mean this guy was a 6'8" boxing guy. Guys like [Lennox] Lewis and Michael Grant, they come straight ahead. I can make them miss all day long."

"I will come back into the ring sound and I will win back my title," Klitschko maintained before leaving the ring.

This could hardly be described as an excellent or thrilling fight. It could best be described as pallid. However, anytime one of the heavyweight belts changes hands it is notable and in the case of Mr. Byrd, simply stunning.

Of course at the end of the day.. people will say, it was due to Klitschko´s shoulder.. I say BS.

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