Klitschko Wins Rematch With Byrd, Takes IBF Title
Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine reacts after defeating title defender Chris Byrd of the United States in their IBO/IBF heavyweight world championship fight
(Daniel Roland - AP)
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Sunday, April 23, 2006
MANNHEIM, Germany, April 22 -- Wladimir Klitschko stopped Chris Byrd in the seventh round of a one-sided fight at SAP Arena on Saturday to gain the IBF heavyweight title.
The Ukranian's right hook finished off the American 41 seconds into the round, the second time Byrd was floored in the fight.
The rematch was similar to their first encounter in October 2001. Byrd also lost that bout, although he survived two knockdowns before losing a decision.
This time Klitschko finished Byrd early. In the fifth round, Byrd climbed to his feet after being knocked down, then withstood a barrage of shots. He took a beating for more than a minute until Klitschko backed off. Byrd waved his gloves at Klitschko, telling him to come at him.
"He's a fighter with a big, big heart," Klitschko said. "But he provoked me."
The 35-year-old Byrd had made four successful defenses of the belt he won from Evander Holyfield in 2002. He was the longest reigning of the four heavyweight champions.
"I never hit him, not the way he hit me," Byrd said. "I was just so pumped up for the fight, it got the better of me. If I had to do it again I would go in there with a different strategy, but Wladimir will be hard to beat."
Byrd said he will have to decide if he will continue his career. "I will talk to the wife," he said. "I enjoy this a lot, of course not when you're pounded like that."
Klitschko (46-3, 41 KOs) has now resurrected his career. He started his comeback by beating favored Nigerian Samuel Peter in October.
