Editing Chris Byrd

{{short description|American boxer}}
{{Infobox boxer
| name = Chris Byrd
| image = 
| caption = 
| realname = {{nowrap|Christopher Cornelius Byrd}}
| nickname = Rapid Fire
| weight = [[Heavyweight]]
| height = 6 ft 1 in
| reach = 74 in
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|8|15}}
| birth_place = [[Flint, Michigan]], U.S.
| style = [[Southpaw stance|Southpaw]]
| total = 47
| wins = 41
| KO = 22
| losses = 5
| draws = 1
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalSport|Men's [[amateur boxing]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{USA}} }}
{{MedalOlympics}}
{{MedalSilver | [[1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Barcelona]] | [[Boxing at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Middleweight|Middleweight]]}}
}}

'''Christopher Cornelius Byrd''' (born August 15, 1970) is an American former [[professional boxer]] who competed from 1993 to 2009. He is a two-time world [[heavyweight]] champion, having first won the [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]] title in 2000 after an upset [[corner stoppage]] over then-undefeated [[Vitali Klitschko]]. In his first title defense later that year, he lost to Vitali's brother [[Wladimir Klitschko]]. In 2002, Byrd defeated [[Evander Holyfield]] to win the [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] heavyweight title for his second reign as world champion. He made four successful defenses until losing his title again to Wladimir Klitschko in a 2006 rematch. He was ranked by [[BoxRec]] in the world's top 10 heavyweight from 1998 to 2004, reaching his highest ranking of No.3 in 2000.<ref name=boxrec-hw-annuals>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/BoxRec%27s_Annual_Ratings:_Heavyweight_Annuals|title=BoxRec's Annual Ratings: Heavyweight Annuals|access-date=16 December 2023|publisher=BoxRec}}</ref>

As an [[amateur boxing|amateur]], Byrd represented the United States at the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] and won a silver medal in the [[middleweight]] division. He is also a three-time [[United States national amateur boxing championships|national amateur champion]], winning the [[light middleweight]] title in 1989, and the middleweight title in 1991 and 1992.

==Early life==
Chris Byrd was the youngest of eight children growing up in [[Flint, Michigan]]. He began boxing at age 5, training in his father's (Joe Sr.) Joe Byrd Boxing Academy.  His father continued to train and manage Byrd as a professional.  Byrd attended [[Flint Northwestern High School]].

==Amateur career==
Byrd began competing in the ring at age 10, since then he had 285 amateur fights in various weight classes, compiled an impressive record of 275 wins, 10 losses. He was a three-time U.S. amateur champion (1989, 1991, and 1992). He was on the 1991 U.S. National boxing Team that became the first (and only) U.S. team to score a tie against the heralded Cuban team.
Byrd won the silver medal in the 1992 [[Barcelona]] summer [[Olympic Games|Olympics]] as a [[middleweight]], losing to [[Cuba]]'s [[Ariel Hernández (boxer)|Ariel Hernández]] in the final.

===Amateur highlights===
*Lost in the 1988 Olympic Trials at Light Welterweight, losing to eventual United States representative [[Todd Foster]].
*1989 United States Amateur Light Middleweight Champion
*1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle, lost to [[Torsten Schmitz]] (East Germany) on points, in Light Middleweight competition.
*1991 United States Amateur Middleweight Champion
*1991 World Championships, lost at Middlweight to [[Ramon Garbey]] (Cuba)
*1992 United States Amateur Middleweight Champion
*1992 Middleweight Gold Medalist at Canada Cup. Results were:
**[[Justin Crawford (boxer)|Justin Crawford]] (Australia) won on points
**[[Joe Laryea]] (Ghana) won on points
**[[Igor Anashkin]] (Russia) won on points
*1992 Qualified as a Middleweight at the Olympic Trials in Worcester, MA. Results were:
**[[Derrick James]] won on points
**[[William Joppy]] won on points
**[[Mike DeMoss]] won on points
**[[Eric Carr]] won on points, this bout was at the Olympic Box-Offs in Phoenix, AZ*
*Captured the Middleweight Silver Medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Results were:
**[[Mark Edwards (boxer)|Mark Edwards]] (Great Britain) 21-3
**[[Alexander Lebziak]] (Russia/Unified Team) 16-7
**[[Ahmed Dine]] (Algeria) 21-2
**[[Chris Johnson (boxer)|Chris Johnson]] (Canada) 17-3
**[[Ariel Hernández (boxer)|Ariel Hernandez]] (Cuba) 7-12

==Professional career==

===1993–1998: early career===

Byrd turned professional on January 28, 1993, knocking out 10 of his first 13 opponents. Byrd moved up to [[heavyweight]] three fights into his professional career.

Byrd remained undefeated for his first 26 fights, knocking off then-notable opponents like [[Phil Jackson (boxer)|Phil Jackson]], [[Lionel Butler]], [[Uriah Grant]], [[Bert Cooper]], [[Craig Peterson]], [[Frankie Swindell]], [[Jimmy Thunder]], undefeated [[Eliecer Castillo]] and [[Ross Puritty]].

===1999: Byrd vs. Ibeabuchi, comeback victories===
However, in 1999, Byrd's undefeated record came to a dead end when he fought undefeated [[Ike Ibeabuchi]]. With 48 seconds left in the fifth round, a left-handed [[bolo punch]] followed with a right hook sent Byrd to the canvas, face first.

===2000: first world title, facing the Klitschkos===
{{Main article|Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd|Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko}}
During the last week of March 2000, Byrd was offered the chance to be the replacement (for [[Donovan Ruddock]]) against undefeated champion [[Vitali Klitschko]] in [[Berlin]], [[Germany]] (Klitschko's adopted home country) for the [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]] Heavyweight Title. He therefore had only seven days to prepare for the fight (not the customary 6–12 weeks). Byrd was trailing after nine rounds by scores of 88–83 (on two cards) and 89–82 (on one card), i.e. losing seven or eight of those rounds. However, Byrd was arguably Vitali's most difficult opponent as he landed clean shots and made him miss regularly, resulting Klitschko severely injured his shoulder and being unable to continue after the ninth round. The injury that Klitschko suffered was a torn shoulder rotator cuff, which required major surgery and a 7-month lay-off. Despite trailing on all three of the judges' scorecards, Byrd walked away the winner by a [[technical knockout]] due to the injury to Klitschko. While most consider this a fluke win for Byrd, nobody (including Lennox Lewis) gave Vitali a more difficult fight before that and since. Vitali landed at a much lower percentage and while he threw more, Byrd almost landed as many punches as him.

Six months later, Byrd was back in Germany to defend the title against [[Wladimir Klitschko]], Vitali's younger, more agile brother. Twelve rounds later, Byrd had lost a lopsided unanimous decision and the WBO belt after being knocked down twice.

===2001–2002: comeback victories, second world title===
{{Main article|Chris Byrd vs. Evander Holyfield}}
Byrd returned to the U.S., signed with [[Don King (boxing promoter)|Don King]] and beat [[Maurice Harris]] to win the United States Boxing Association heavyweight belt in Madison Square Garden. He was now a top-five contender for the IBF title. After winning his next match (a title defense against New Zealand's top contender [[David Tua]]) Byrd eventually received his mandatory shot at the vacant IBF world Heavyweight Championship against [[Evander Holyfield]] in [[Atlantic City]]. On December 14, 2002, Byrd won a unanimous decision and the IBF title.

===2003–2005: four successful title defenses===
{{Main article|Chris Byrd vs. Andrew Golota|Chris Byrd vs. Jameel McCline}}
Byrd has successfully defended the IBF belt against: [[Fres Oquendo]] in 2003, a highly entertaining draw with [[Andrzej Gołota|Andrew Golota]] and a decision win over friend [[Jameel McCline]] in 2004, and [[DaVarryl Williamson]] in 2005. Byrd's fight with Golota did 75,000 buys on [[pay-per-view]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rafael |first=Dan |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2004-05-11-heavyweights_x.htm |title=Where are the new heavyweights? |date=2004-05-12 |work=[[USA Today]] |accessdate=2022-08-02}}</ref>

===2006: Klitschko rematch===
{{Main article|Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko II}}
On April 22, 2006, Byrd faced [[Wladimir Klitschko]] for the second time. Byrd was making his fifth defense of his IBF title and the fight was also sanctioned by the  [[International Boxing Organization]] for its title, which had been vacated upon the retirement of [[Lennox Lewis]]. The fight took place at [[SAP Arena]] in [[Mannheim]], [[Germany]]. Byrd was heavily dominated throughout the fight, was down in the fifth, and again in the seventh. Referee Wayne Kelly stopped the fight after the second knockdown when Byrd had an open cut near his eyes. Klitschko won in a TKO.

===2007–2010: Povetkin bout, move to light heavyweight, and retirement===
After losing to [[Alexander Povetkin]], Byrd would drop about 40 pounds to return to the light heavyweight division. He fought [[Shaun George (boxer)|Shaun George]] on May 16, 2008, at the [[Thomas and Mack Center]] in Las Vegas. Byrd was dropped by George in round one and rocked again in round two. George then hammered Byrd with his right hand at will, finally flooring Byrd twice in the ninth round. Byrd beat the count after the first knockdown, but was then battered down again and the bout was waved off by the referee.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fightnews.com/fightnews_2/headlines//EkEpAApuFFAtKlReLa.html |title=Archived copy |website=www.fightnews.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520211836/http://www.fightnews.com/fightnews_2/headlines//EkEpAApuFFAtKlReLa.html |archive-date=20 May 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2010, Byrd officially announced his retirement from boxing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/128485|title=Chris Byrd: Nobody beats Wladimir Klitschko right now|work=eastsideboxing.com|date=4 June 2010|accessdate=December 28, 2016}}</ref>

==Life outside boxing==
Byrd hosts a weekly video podcast, entitled "Byrd's Eye View", which showcases former boxers as well as current professional and champion-level fighters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/CHRISBYRDBOXING/|title=Chris Byrd|work=YouTube|accessdate=26 February 2015}}</ref>

==Additional information==
*Byrd's hometown is [[Flint, Michigan]], where he trained along with his brother Patrick Byrd and sister [[Tracy Byrd (boxer)|Tracy Byrd]]. Byrd's other sister, [[Laurie Byrd]], is a professional basketball coach. Byrd is also a first cousin of [[Lamon Brewster]], himself a former world heavyweight champion and two-time Klitschko opponent.
*Byrd's [[cornerman|corner]] consisted entirely of family members.
*Byrd made an appearance in the 2008 documentary ''Beyond the Ropes''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1310365/|title=Beyond the Ropes (Video 2008)|date=14 October 2008|work=IMDb|accessdate=26 February 2015}}</ref>
*Byrd also makes an appearance in the 2011 documentary ''Klitschko'', in which he discusses his trio of title bouts with the brothers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1885281/|title=Klitschko (2011)|author=Munch MaQuchi|date=21 October 2011|work=IMDb|accessdate=26 February 2015}}</ref>

==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=1
|ko-wins=22
|ko-losses=4
|dec-wins=19
|dec-losses=1
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|47
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{nowrap|41–5–1}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Matthias Sandow
|TKO
|4 (8), {{small|1:30}}
|Mar 21, 2009
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle]], [[Stuttgart]], Germany}}
|
|-
|46
|{{no2}}Loss
|40–5–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Shaun George (boxer)|Shaun George]]
|TKO
|9 (10), {{small|2:42}}
|May 16, 2008
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Thomas & Mack Center]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|45
|{{no2}}Loss
|40–4–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Alexander Povetkin]]
|TKO
|11 (12), {{small|1:52}}
|Oct 27, 2007
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Messe Erfurt|Messe]], [[Erfurt]], Germany}}
|
|-
|44
|{{yes2}}Win
|40–3–1
|style="text-align:left;"|Paul Marinaccio
|RTD
|7 (10), {{small|0:01}}
|Apr 18, 2007
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Clifford Park, [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], Bahamas}}
|
|-
|43
|{{no2}}Loss
|39–3–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Wladimir Klitschko]]
|TKO
|7 (12), {{small|0:41}}
|[[Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko II|Apr 22, 2006]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[SAP Arena]], [[Mannheim]], Germany}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost IBF heavyweight title;<br />For vacant [[list of IBO world champions#Heavyweight|IBO heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|42
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–2–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[DaVarryl Williamson]]
|UD
|12
|Oct 1, 2005
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Reno Events Center|Events Center]], [[Reno, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained IBF heavyweight title}}
|-
|41
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–2–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jameel McCline]]
|SD
|12
|[[Chris Byrd vs. Jameel McCline|Nov 13, 2004]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained IBF heavyweight title}}
|-
|40
|{{draw}}Draw
|37–2–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Andrew Golota]]
|{{abbr|SD|Split draw}}
|12
|[[Chris Byrd vs. Andrew Golota|Apr 17, 2004]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained IBF heavyweight title}}
|-
|39
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Fres Oquendo]]
|UD
|12
|Sep 20, 2003
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Mohegan Sun Arena]], [[Montville, Connecticut]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained IBF heavyweight title}}
|-
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Evander Holyfield]]
|UD
|12
|[[Chris Byrd vs. Evander Holyfield|Dec 14, 2002]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[list of IBF world champions#Heavyweight|IBF heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Jeff Pegues
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|2:43}}
|Jun 8, 2002
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|36
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[David Tua]]
|UD
|12
|Aug 18, 2001
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Cox Pavilion]], [[Paradise, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained IBF–USBA heavyweight title}}
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Maurice Harris]]
|UD
|12
|[[William Joppy vs. Félix Trinidad|May 12, 2001]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Madison Square Garden]], [[New York City, New York]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[International Boxing Federation|IBF–USBA]] heavyweight title}}
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–2
|style="text-align:left;"|David Vedder
|UD
|10
|Jan 19, 2001
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|33
|{{no2}}Loss
|31–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Wladimir Klitschko]]
|UD
|12
|[[Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko|Oct 14, 2000]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Kölnarena]], [[Cologne]], Germany}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost WBO heavyweight title}}
|-
|32
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Vitali Klitschko]]
|RTD
|9 (12), {{small|3:00}}
|[[Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd|Apr 1, 2000]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Estrel Hotel]], [[Berlin]], Germany}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[WBO heavyweight champion|WBO heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–1
|style="text-align:left;"|David Washington
|TKO
|10 (10)
|Jan 19, 2000
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–1
|style="text-align:left;"|Val Smith
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|2:39}}
|[[Naseem Hamed vs. César Soto|Oct 22, 1999]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Joe Louis Arena]], [[Detroit]], Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jose Ribalta]]
|RTD
|3 (10), {{small|3:00}}
|Jun 3, 1999
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort]], [[Mount Pleasant, Michigan]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–1
|style="text-align:left;"|John Sargent
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|2:03}}
|May 8, 1999
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Silver Star Casino]], [[Philadelphia, Mississippi]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|27
|{{no2}}Loss
|26–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Ike Ibeabuchi]]
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|2:59}}
|Mar 20, 1999
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Emerald Queen Casino]], [[Tacoma, Washington]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Ross Puritty]]
|UD
|10
|Jul 14, 1998
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Casino Magic Bay St. Louis|Casino Magic]], [[Bay St. Louis, Mississippi]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Eliecer Castillo]]
|UD
|10
|May 30, 1998
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Derek Amos
|TKO
|6 (10)
|[[Lennox Lewis vs. Shannon Briggs|Mar 28, 1998]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Boardwalk Hall]], [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jimmy Thunder]]
|TKO
|9 (10), {{small|1:07}}
|Dec 13, 1997
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Foxwoods Resort Casino]], [[Ledyard, Connecticut]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Frankie Swindell
|UD
|10
|Jun 20, 1997
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Bally's Park Place]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Bert Cooper]]
|UD
|10
|Mar 18, 1997
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Craig Petersen
|TKO
|6 (10), {{small|2:22}}
|Jan 28, 1997
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Levi Billups
|UD
|10
|Oct 8, 1996
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Uriah Grant]]
|UD
|10
|Aug 6, 1996
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Biko Botowamungu]]
|UD
|10
|May 17, 1996
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Stock Arena]], [[Monroe, Michigan]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Lionel Butler]]
|TKO
|8 (10), {{small|0:57}}
|Apr 23, 1996
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Jeff Wooden
|UD
|10
|Jan 30, 1996
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Phil Jackson (boxer)|Phil Jackson]]
|UD
|12
|Nov 21, 1996
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Nathaniel Fitch]]
|KO
|7 (10)
|Oct 3, 1995
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Tim Puller
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|2:55}}
|Jul 18, 1995
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Arthur Williams (boxer)|Arthur Williams]]
|{{abbr|SD|Split decision}}
|10
|May 23, 1995
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Joel Humm
|{{abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}}
|4 (8)
|Apr 26, 1995
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Mike Rouse
|TKO
|6 (12), {{small|1:56}}
|Mar 28, 1995
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Frankie Hines
|TKO
|2, {{small|0:59}}
|Jan 1, 1995
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Virginia Beach, Virginia]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Ron Gullette
|TKO
|5
|Nov 1, 1994
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Flint, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Waxxen Fikes
|TKO
|4 (8), {{small|2:49}}
|Oct 4, 1994
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[The Palace of Auburn Hills|The Palace]], [[Auburn Hills, Michigan]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Max Key
|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}
|1
|Aug 30, 1994
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Flint, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Gerard O'Neal
|TKO
|2 (6)
|Jun 7, 1994
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Flint, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Exum Speight
|UD
|6
|Mar 22, 1994
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Flint, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Mike Sullivan
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}
|1
|May 15, 1993
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Flint, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Gary Smith
|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}
|6
|Jan 28, 1993
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[IMA Sports Arena]], [[Flint, Michigan]], U.S.}}
|
|}

==Viewership==
===Germany===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Date !! Fight !! Viewership ({{abbr|avg.|average}}) !! Network !! Source(s)
|-
|{{center|{{dts|2000|April|1|format=mdy}}}}
|[[Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd]]
|{{center|9,790,000}}
|[[Sat.1]]
|<ref name=byrd-vitali>[https://www.presseportal.de/pm/6708/126925 9,79 Millionen sahen WM-Kampf von Vitali Klitschko: Beste SAT.1-Quote seit fast zwei Jahren] (ger.)</ref>
|-
|{{center|{{dts|2000|October|14|format=mdy}}}}
|[[Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko]]
|{{center|9,390,000}}
|Sat.1
|<ref name=byrd1>[https://rp-online.de/sport/wladimir-klitschko-ist-weltmeister_aid-8228603 Wladimir Klitschko is the new world champion (German)]</ref>
|-
|{{center|{{dts|2006|April|24|format=mdy}}}}
|[[Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko II]]
|{{center|10,170,000}}
|[[Das Erste]]
|<ref name=byrd2>[https://www.dwdl.de/zahlenzentrale/6660/mehr_als_zehn_millionen_zuschauer_fieberten_bei_klitschkokampf_mit/ More than 10 million viewers saw Klitschko fight (German)]</ref>
|-
|{{center|{{dts|2007|October|27|format=mdy}}}}
|Chris Byrd vs. [[Alexander Povetkin]]
|{{center|4,570,000}}
|Das Erste
|<ref name="povetkin-byrd">[https://www.kino.de/star/joerg-pilawa/news/das-erste-und-rtl-wieder-erfolgreich-im-oktober/ Das Ertse and RTL show strong numbers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303162136/https://www.kino.de/star/joerg-pilawa/news/das-erste-und-rtl-wieder-erfolgreich-im-oktober/ |date=2020-03-03 }} (ger.)</ref>
|-
!
! Total viewership
! 33,920,000
!
!
|}

===US pay-per-view bouts===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Date
!Fight
![[Pay-per-view]] buys
!Network
!Source(s)
|-
|align=center|{{dts|2004|April|17|format=mdy}}
|[[Chris Byrd vs. Andrew Golota]]
|{{center|75,000}}
|[[Spike TV]]/King Vision
|<ref name="rafael2004">[https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2004-05-11-heavyweights_x.htm Where are the new heavyweights? By Dan Rafael, USA TODAY]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C26gQFjQnZs 2004-04-17 Chris Byrd vs Andrew Golota - IBF World Heavyweight Title]</ref>
|-
|align=center|{{dts|2004|12|11|format=mdy}}
|Chris Byrd vs. [[Jameel McCline]]
|{{center|120,000}}
|[[HBO PPV]]
|<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_p4bdWgxAE Chris Byrd vs Jameel Mccline HBO Pay Per View November 13, 2004]</ref><ref name="rafael2004"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Chicago Tribune |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=7 January 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524030717/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-01-07-0501070384-story.html |archive-date=2022-05-24 |url-status=live |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-01-07-0501070384-story.html}}</ref>
|-
!
! Total sales
! 195,000
! 
!
|}

==See also==
*[[List of heavyweight boxing champions]]
*[[List of IBF world champions]]
*[[List of WBO world champions]]
*[[List of southpaw stance boxers]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.chrisbyrd.com/}}
*{{Boxrec|id=004923}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Amateur boxing titles}}
{{s-before|before=[[Frankie Liles]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States national amateur boxing light middleweight champions|U.S. light middleweight champion]]
|years=1989}}
{{s-after|after=[[Paul Vaden]]}}
{{s-before|before=Michael DeMoss}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States national amateur boxing middleweight champions|U.S. middleweight champion]]
|years=1991, 1992}}
{{s-after|after=Eric Wright}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=[[David Tua]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[International Boxing Federation|IBF–USBA]] [[heavyweight]] champion
|years=May 12, 2001 – [[Chris Byrd vs. Evander Holyfield|December 14, 2002]]<br />Won world title}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Tye Fields]]}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Vitali Klitschko]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[WBO heavyweight champion]]
|years= [[Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd|April 1, 2000]] – [[Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko|October 14, 2000]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Wladimir Klitschko]]}}
{{s-vac|last=[[Lennox Lewis]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[list of IBF world champions#Heavyweight|IBF heavyweight champion]]
|years=[[Chris Byrd vs. Evander Holyfield|December 14, 2002]] – [[Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko II|April 22, 2006]]}}
{{s-aft|after=Wladimir Klitschko}}
{{s-end}}

{{Footer USA Boxing 1992 Summer Olympics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Byrd, Chris}}
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:African-American boxers]]
[[Category:Southpaw boxers]]
[[Category:Boxers at the 1992 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:International Boxing Federation champions]]
[[Category:Olympic boxers for the United States]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Flint, Michigan]]
[[Category:Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers]]
[[Category:World Boxing Organization champions]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:World heavyweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1992 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists for the United States in boxing]]
[[Category:Light-middleweight boxers]]
[[Category:Middleweight boxers]]
[[Category:Boxers from Michigan]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 1990 Goodwill Games]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]