Chris Byrd fought some heavyweight greats, but there is one he compares to modern powerhouse Deontay Wilder. Byrd was part of the blue-riband division for 16 years from 1993 to 2009, and reigned as a two-time heavyweight champion during his notorious career. During his fruitful stint in the squared circle, the American formed some great rivalries competing against Wladimir Klitschko twice losing in both 2000 and 2006.
He also famously outpointed boxing legend Evander Holyfield in 2002 to capture the IBF title. Despite trading blows with some colossal punchers, Byrd admitted that it was DaVarryl Williamson who surprisingly packed the hardest punch. He told The Ring in February 2020: “DaVarryl Williamson.
He didn’t hit me, but I know who had the best power. People are gonna say, ‘Why DaVarryl?’ "He had a ‘Touch of Sleep’, he had Deontay Wilder-type power. If he had been 6-foot-7, he’d have been running things like Wilder.
"To the media, he’s very underrated, but to the boxers, everybody knows if you get in the ring with him and he touches you, you’re going to sleep.” Byrd was 35 years old when he came up against Williamson for the IBF title in October 2005, and he delivered a dominant display to capture the crown. Despite controlling the contest, there were warning signs from his domestic rival that he certainly carried some power and he landed it on several occasions.
But Byrd was able to deliver like he had done so famously against Holyfield three years pr.
