Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd
{{short description|Boxing competition}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox boxing match
| Fight Name = Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd
| image =
| caption =
| fight date = 1 April 2000
| location = Estrel Convention Center, Neukoelln, Berlin, Germany
| titles = WBO Heavyweight Championship
| fighter1 = {{flagicon|UKR}} Vitali Klitschko
| nickname1 = "Dr. Ironfist"
| hometown1 = Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine
| purse1 =
| record1 = 27–0 (27 KO)
| age1 = {{age in years and months |19 July 1971 |1 April 2000}}
| height1 = 6 ft 7 in
| weight1 = 244+1/4 lb
| style1 = Orthodox
| recognition1 = WBO
Heavyweight Champion
The Ring
No. 7 Ranked Heavyweight
| fighter2 = {{flagicon|USA}} Chris Byrd
| nickname2 = "Rapid Fire"
| hometown2 = Flint, Michigan, US
| purse2 =
| record2 = 30–1 (18 KO)
| age2 = {{age in years and months |August 15, 1970 |1 April 2000}}
| height2 = 6 ft 1+1/2 in
| weight2 = 210+3/4 lb
| style2 = Southpaw
| recognition2 = WBO
No. 10 Ranked Heavyweight
| result = Byrd defeated Klitschko via 9th round corner retirement
}}
Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd, was a professional boxing match contested on 1 April 2000 for the WBO Heavyweight Championship.{{cite web|url=http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Vitali_Klitschko_vs._Chris_Byrd|title=Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd - BoxRec|website=boxrec.com}}
Background
After knocking out Herbie Hide to win the WBO belt, Vitali Klitschko had made two stoppage defences against Ed Mahone, and Obed Sullivan. He was ranked 7th in the world by Ring magazine. He had planned to face Donovan Ruddock, however, he pulled out due to a hepatitis infection and Chris Byrd (who had been training for a bout with Lawrence Clay-Bey) stepped in at 10 days notice to take the fight.
The fight
Klitschko controlled most of the fight with Byrd being elusive and making himself a difficult target. After 9 rounds Vitali had suffered a torn rotator cuff and despite being clearly ahead on the scorecards (88-83, 88-83, & 89-82) he retired on his stool handing the win to Byrd. Harold Lederman, HBO's unofficial judge, had Klitschko ahead 88-83 at the time of the stoppage.{{cite web |title=01/04/2000: Vitali Klitschko (WBO) vs Chris Byrd |url=https://heavyweightheroes.wordpress.com/2019/05/22/01-04-2000-vitali-klitschko-wbo-vs-chris-byrd/ |website=heavyweightheroes.wordpress.com |access-date=13 March 2024 |date=22 May 2019}}
Aftermath
Vitali's status as a rising star of the Heavyweight division took a knock after this with HBO commentator Larry Merchant saying, "He doesn’t have the mentality of a champion. I can hardly believe what I just saw." Byrd's first defence in October was against the WBO's top contender, and Vitali's younger brother Wladimir Klitschko, who avenged his brother's loss with a clear decision victory. {{cite web|url=https://www.thefightcity.com/april-1-2000-klitschko-vs-chris-byrd/|title=April 1, 2000: Klitschko vs Byrd|publisher=thefightcity.com}}
Undercard
Broadcasting
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef | before=vs. Obed Sullivan}}
{{s-ttl | title=Vitali Klitschko' bouts | years=1 April 2000}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. Timo Hoffmann}}
{{s-bef | before=vs. David Washington}}
{{s-ttl | title=Chris Byrd's bouts |years=1 April 2000}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. Wladimir Klitschko}}
{{s-end}}
{{Vitali Klitschko}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Klitschko V, Byrd}}
Category:April 2000 sports events in Germany
Category:Boxing matches in Germany
Category:World Boxing Organization heavyweight championship matches