George Foreman vs Chris Byrd

[gilgamesh]

Classic case here of styles make fights. Foreman spent most of his career avoiding guys like Byrd and with good cause. He looked bad against them always, without exception.

Foreman comes on strong bulling Byrd around the ring. Byrd is mostly on the defensive so he loses 4 of the first 6 rounds, however Foreman is expending a lot of energy and by the 2nd half of the bout a lot of zip has come off those punches.

With each passing round of the fight Byrd's confidence grows and by the end he's got Foreman swinging at air and missing most of his heavy shots. Byrd takes 5 of the last 6 rounds to win a Split Decision.

[goose 5]

X2.

[scorpio83]

Since you don't mentioned which version of George Foreman should Chris Byrd face. Young Foreman may take a decision or stopping him late. I thought the same for comeback Foreman may do the same result. However, Byrd may have a shot of outboxing Old Foreman behind his southpaw jabs and counterpunches on the outside to take a decision.

[gilgamesh]

I'm thinking 1970's Foreman for this matchup. I think Byrd could win in either case, but it's probably a more difficult matchup against the younger Foreman.

[Seamus]

If Foreman doesn't take Byrd out in 4-5 rds he's got trouble.

[keithmoonhangover]

Peak Foreman would hunt him down on the way to a brutal stoppage.

[gilgamesh]

Peak Foreman would hunt him down on the way to a brutal stoppage.

Just like he did Jimmy Young huh?

[keithmoonhangover]

Peak Foreman would hunt him down on the way to a brutal stoppage.

Just like he did Jimmy Young huh?

No, but the Jimmy Young fight wasn't peak Foreman.

[gilgamesh]

Peak Foreman would hunt him down on the way to a brutal stoppage.

Just like he did Jimmy Young huh?

No, but the Jimmy Young fight wasn't peak Foreman.

He never fought a guy like Jimmy Young at his peak. Easy to never look bad against a style you haven't fought.

[keithmoonhangover]

Just like he did Jimmy Young huh?

No, but the Jimmy Young fight wasn't peak Foreman.

He never fought a guy like Jimmy Young at his peak. Easy to never look bad against a style you haven't fought.

Very true, but Chris Byrd never fought am unbeaten, monster punching, Olympic gold medallist, with back to back wins over future Hall of Famers. If Ike Ibeabuchi runs over Byrd, Foreman most certainly will. Pre-Ali Foreman was a completely different animal, he felt invincible and there's a reason for that. Byrd ain't no Ali.

[gilgamesh]

These are all fair points and a concise and well put counter argument. I'd still favor Byrd in the manner that I described, but your reasoning for why you'd favor Foreman is sound.

[Joson]

I assume we're talking about the prime Foreman, from the 1970s?

Byrd rates as a very live underdog, as George always struggled against elusive, defensively-skilled boxers. I remember the way Foreman lost to the slippery Jimmy Young, and could see this turning out the same.

Still, if I had to bet, I'd lean towards Foreman, who I'd give 66% chance of victory vs 33% for Byrd.

[elmersalsa]

Chris Byrd outboxes Big George.

[2128778]

I think, Young Big George steamrolls thru Byrd after dropping some early rounds.

Old Big George likely loses a decision.

Interestingly, if you go back and watch Foreman-Briggs HBO telecast - right before the fight, HBO shows a long list of opponents, that were offered to Big George. Foreman picked Briggs. But Chris Byrd was on that list, too.

Back then, Foreman wasn't keen on fighting slick guys. And Byrd would've been such a guy.