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BOXING - IBF Heavyweight Title Fight (12 Rounds) @ SAP Arena Manheim, Germany
BERLIN (AP) -- Chris Byrd promises his IBF heavyweight title defense Saturday won't be a repeat of the one-sided beating he got from Wladimir Klitschko over five years ago.
In October 2000, Klitschko won the WBO belt on points, and Byrd left the ring with one eye shut thanks to the 6-foot-7 Ukrainian's powerful jab.
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But the 35-year-old Byrd, who is 5 1/2 inches shorter, said he has since learned how to combat big fighters during his eight straight wins over the likes of Evander Holyfield, David Tua and Jameel McCline.
"Nobody beats me twice," Byrd said. "Five years ago, I was more of a finesse fighter. I was willing to fight anybody, but at the same time I was timid of the bigger guys. I do not fear anybody anymore as far as taking their shot."
However, the reputation of Klitschko (45-3, 40 knockouts) as one of the sport's best young heavyweights was badly damaged after he was knocked out by Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster.
In September, he rose from the canvas three times to win a unanimous decision against the favored Nigerian Samuel Peter and revive his career -- but Klitschko knows that doubts remain.
"The man without a chin, no stamina, dead man, broken man, whatever," Klitschko said. "On your way to the top, you always get some criticism. Criticism is a great motivation. Failure is not an option to me."
All 14,500 tickets for the fight in Mannheim, Germany, were sold within hours. Klitschko and older brother, Vitali, the retired WBC champion, are still hugely popular in the country where they launched their careers.
Klitschko believes experience has made Byrd (39-2-1, 20 KOs) a better boxer than five years ago. The American readily agrees, especially when it comes to fighting a big opponent.
"I think I am more confident now in my ability to fight bigger, taller guys," Byrd said. "I just want to show I am the best out there. I am going to beat him."
At 210 pounds, the former middleweight Byrd will give up around 30 pounds to Klitschko. He will also face a hostile crowd.
But Byrd knows how fast that can change after beating Vitali Klitschko in a bout in Germany in April 2000.
"They did not accept me when I got in the ring, but after four or five rounds they saw this little guy in there fighting hard and putting up a pretty good fight, and they were cheering for both of us," Byrd said.
Another battle will also take place Saturday night in what is Byrd's first fight since he separated from promoter Don King.
Sergei Liakhovich took away Brewster's WBO belt in February, following Nikolay Valuev's WBA title win against John Ruiz in December. The WBC has also demanded Hasim Rahman defend against Oleg Maskaev.
"It is like basketball in the Olympics," Byrd said. "The other countries are coming up from everywhere playing great basketball and winning the gold medal, and America has got to tend to their Ps and Qs to stay on top because there is talent everywhere. The same with boxing."
BERLIN (AP) -- Chris Byrd promises his IBF heavyweight title defense Saturday won't be a repeat of the one-sided beating he got from Wladimir Klitschko over five years ago.
In October 2000, Klitschko won the WBO belt on points, and Byrd left the ring with one eye shut thanks to the 6-foot-7 Ukrainian's powerful jab.
ADVERTISEMENT
Yahoo! Shopping
Cameras MP3 Players Shoes
Cell Phones Handbags Laptops
If you want it, we’ve got it. The hottest products are on Yahoo! Shopping.
But the 35-year-old Byrd, who is 5 1/2 inches shorter, said he has since learned how to combat big fighters during his eight straight wins over the likes of Evander Holyfield, David Tua and Jameel McCline.
"Nobody beats me twice," Byrd said. "Five years ago, I was more of a finesse fighter. I was willing to fight anybody, but at the same time I was timid of the bigger guys. I do not fear anybody anymore as far as taking their shot."
However, the reputation of Klitschko (45-3, 40 knockouts) as one of the sport's best young heavyweights was badly damaged after he was knocked out by Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster.
In September, he rose from the canvas three times to win a unanimous decision against the favored Nigerian Samuel Peter and revive his career -- but Klitschko knows that doubts remain.
"The man without a chin, no stamina, dead man, broken man, whatever," Klitschko said. "On your way to the top, you always get some criticism. Criticism is a great motivation. Failure is not an option to me."
All 14,500 tickets for the fight in Mannheim, Germany, were sold within hours. Klitschko and older brother, Vitali, the retired WBC champion, are still hugely popular in the country where they launched their careers.
Klitschko believes experience has made Byrd (39-2-1, 20 KOs) a better boxer than five years ago. The American readily agrees, especially when it comes to fighting a big opponent.
"I think I am more confident now in my ability to fight bigger, taller guys," Byrd said. "I just want to show I am the best out there. I am going to beat him."
At 210 pounds, the former middleweight Byrd will give up around 30 pounds to Klitschko. He will also face a hostile crowd.
But Byrd knows how fast that can change after beating Vitali Klitschko in a bout in Germany in April 2000.
"They did not accept me when I got in the ring, but after four or five rounds they saw this little guy in there fighting hard and putting up a pretty good fight, and they were cheering for both of us," Byrd said.
Another battle will also take place Saturday night in what is Byrd's first fight since he separated from promoter Don King.
Sergei Liakhovich took away Brewster's WBO belt in February, following Nikolay Valuev's WBA title win against John Ruiz in December. The WBC has also demanded Hasim Rahman defend against Oleg Maskaev.
"It is like basketball in the Olympics," Byrd said. "The other countries are coming up from everywhere playing great basketball and winning the gold medal, and America has got to tend to their Ps and Qs to stay on top because there is talent everywhere. The same with boxing."
