On April 1, 2000, a 29-year-old Chris Byrd (30-1, 18 KOs) got a shot at the WBO heavyweight title held by 28-year-old Ukrainian boxer Vitali Klitschko (27-0, 27 KOs).
Byrd came in to the fight on a 4-fight win streak with a 58% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 13 days. Klitschko was on a 27-fight win streak with a 100% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months and 21 days.
The champion refused to continue the fight in the 9th round, and Chris Byrd is crowned the new WBO heavyweight world champion — in his first world-title fight. Byrd improves his record to 31-1 (19 KOs), while Klitschko adds a loss to his record at 27-1.
On December 14, 2002, 32-year-old Chris Byrd (35-2, 20 KOs) and 40-year-old Evander Holyfield (38-5-2, 25 KOs) fought for the vacant IBF heavyweight title.
Byrd came in to the fight on a 4-fight win streak with a 54% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 6 days. Holyfield was on a 1-fight win streak with a 55% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 6 months and 13 days.
Chris Byrd defeated Evander Holyfield via unanimous decision . Byrd improves his record to 36-2, while Holyfield adds a loss to his record at 38-6-2.
On October 1, 2005, the 35-year-old IBF heavyweight world champion, Chris Byrd (38-2-1, 20 KOs), faced DaVarryl Williamson, in a title defense fight.
Byrd came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 48% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 10 months and 18 days.
Chris Byrd defeated DaVarryl Williamson via unanimous decision and successfully defended his IBF heavyweight title. Byrd improves his record to 39-2-1
On September 20, 2003, the 33-year-old IBF heavyweight world champion, Chris Byrd (36-2, 20 KOs), faced Fres Oquendo, in a title defense fight.
Byrd came in to the fight on a 5-fight win streak with a 52% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 9 months and 6 days.
Chris Byrd defeated Fres Oquendo via unanimous decision and successfully defended his IBF heavyweight title. Byrd improves his record to 37-2
On November 13, 2004, the 34-year-old IBF heavyweight world champion, Chris Byrd (37-2-1, 20 KOs), faced a 34-year-old Jameel McCline (31-3-3, 19 KOs), in a title defense fight.
Byrd came in to the fight after a draw in his last fight with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 27 days. McCline was on a 3-fight win streak with a 51% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 6 months and 29 days.
Chris Byrd defeated Jameel McCline via split decision and successfully defended his IBF heavyweight title. Byrd improves his record to 38-2-1, while McCline adds a loss to his record at 31-4-3.
On April 17, 2004, the 33-year-old IBF heavyweight world champion, Chris Byrd (37-2, 20 KOs), faced a 36-year-old Polish boxer Andrew Golota (38-4, 31 KOs), in a title defense fight.
Byrd came in to the fight on a 6-fight win streak with a 51% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 28 days. Golota was on a 4-fight win streak with a 73% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 5 months and 3 days.
The fight ended in a split decision draw and both the fighters added a draw to their respective records — Byrd is now 37-2-1 and Golota, 38-4-1.
On August 18, 2001, a 31-year-old Chris Byrd (33-2, 19 KOs) and a 28-year-old Samoan boxer David Tua (38-2, 33 KOs) met in the ring in a heavyweight bout.
Byrd came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 54% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 6 days. Tua was on a 1-fight win streak with a 82% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 4 months and 26 days.
Chris Byrd defeated David Tua via unanimous decision in the 12-round heavyweight fight. Byrd improves his record to 34-2, while Tua adds a loss to his record at 38-3.
On October 14, 2000, the 30-year-old WBO heavyweight world champion, Chris Byrd (31-1, 19 KOs), faced a 24-year-old Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko (34-1, 31 KOs), in a title defense fight.
Byrd came in to the fight on a 5-fight win streak with a 59% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 13 days. Klitschko was on a 10-fight win streak with a 88% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 2 months and 29 days.
Wladimir Klitschko defeated Chris Byrd via unanimous decision and wins the WBO title — in his first world-title fight. Klitschko improves his record to 35-1, while Byrd adds a loss to his record at 31-2.
On October 3, 1995, a 25-year-old Chris Byrd (12-0, 9 KOs) and Nathaniel Fitch met in the ring.
Byrd came in to the fight on a 12-fight win streak with a 75% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 15 days.
Chris Byrd stopped Nathaniel Fitch via KO in the 7th round. Byrd improves his record to 13-0 (10 KOs)
On April 23, 1996, a 25-year-old Chris Byrd (15-0, 10 KOs) and Lionel Butler met in the ring.
Byrd came in to the fight on a 15-fight win streak with a 66% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 24 days.
Chris Byrd stopped Lionel Butler via TKO in the 8th round. Byrd improves his record to 16-0 (11 KOs)