Mike Samuels

07.09 - For those of you who continuously bitched, screamed and moaned on how Chris Byrd wasn't worth a bucket of dirt, how he was just a baby who got slapped around by both Klitschko brothers, a nobody who if given the chance to fight Lennox Lewis, would be embarrassed beyond his own range…

Ya'll can Quit Yer Cryin' Now.

This past week the "undisputed" heavyweight champion of the world, Lennox Lewis gave up his IBF title and passed up his fight with Chris Byrd to work with a three-fight deal that puts the Brit up against both Klitschko brothers with a possible rematch with Tin Mike sandwiched in-between.

"Today I announced my decision to vacate my IBF heavyweight title. Prior to today, my team and I had already determined that there was no public interest in a Lennox Lewis/Chris Byrd bout. My decision was also based upon the fact that I believe, as I have said repeatedly, that Chris Byrd offers no competitive challenge to me.

I'm sorry if I'm not doing the hokee-pokee in grand fashion over this announcement, but I think it is bad for boxing. . What it proves is that those so-called "tournaments" set up by promoters (the loved or hated Don King) mean nothing most of the time. Byrd, as boring and dull as he may be, was thought to be fighting in a number one ranking tournament this past year where he defeated Mo Harris and David Tua, only to wait in the wings for a shot at the heavyweight champion, Lennox Lewis. Only that's not happening and anyone who actually thought Lewis wouldn't find a way to back out of his fight with the two hundred and ten pound (and that's pushing it) Flint native was living in a dream world.

So there's no "public interest" in a Byrd-Lewis fight, eh, Lennox? There might not be, but I can guarantee that there's more interest in that fight then ANY fight John Ruiz is a part of, and he's the WBA heavyweight CHUMPion.

Here's a guy in Ruiz - who was flat lined in nineteen seconds and has beaten NOBODY since then - that has done absolutely squat and he gets THREE, count them, THREE different opportunities to face Evander Holyfield. Now he hasn't earned it and the public showed its hate for the decision, but still more people have a problem with Byrd facing Lewis. Where's the sense in that? Byrd has at least earned his shot (he's beating guys out of his "league" and much heavier) and he is at least FIGHTING somewhat, when all we get with Ruiz is a sloppy, fouling love affair between one boxer and one actor every time he "defends" his "title." Now where's the justice in that?

There isn't any. Boxing is crooked. It always has been, and Byrd, by no means in the first to get royally flushed by Don King and his rats, but examples like this are just going to turn people away from the sport. Believe me.

It's common sense that everyone would rather see one of the Ukrainian giants fight Lewis (to see if they are the next great white hype, or something worth watching), but imagine if you were a heavyweight boxer with the name Chris Byrd. Forget about the money, the exposure, the popular styles and the knockout power. What would you expect? If you were told you were getting a shot at the champion (not put in another elimination tournament) within a year and you never got it, what would you do?

You'd be pissed. You'd kick, scream and give em' hell in court. But the average fan is on the sidelines and they don't see the picture as dimensional as it really is. It's all about being greedy and WANTING, WANTING, WANTING to see Klitschko versus Lewis. Who cares who gets the raw end of the deal because it certainly isn't the fan?

Or is it? You decide.

But, hey, Byrd is getting the short end of the stick but not all that much, the guys fighting Holyfield in a few months for his shot at the IBF title, right? That's what these suckers want you to think (and it may happen but then again Hopkins may fight Jones again too). It's funny when this past June Holyfield openly had the balls to admit that he doesn't want any part of Chris Byrd. He said it wasn't a good business decision and he would prefer to find a way around it, an EASIER way to become undisputed champion for the fifth time (who's counting?).

You know that Byrd is the 'real deal' of a heavyweight fighter when he knocks out Evander Holyfield, the warrior, without stepping into the ring. And now he's knocked out Lewis, too but his chin has always been suspect. I continue to ask myself, "Just how legit is Chris Byrd?" Did ANYONE see the way he was starched by Ike (but who wasn't?) and creamed by the Klitschkos? Yes, we all did. Knowing how easy it appeared that he was destroyed, why won't Lewis or Holyfield or ANY heavyweight (Tyson has even denied a fight with Byrd) fight the man? He's evidently not that dangerous and, what most think anyway, is that if he fought Lewis he would be knocked on his ass within three rounds and it wouldn't be worth the PPV price.

That might be true, but we will never know because Byrd continues to get ducked by the BEST heavyweights in the world. And to those who cry about Byrd not being anything but a blown up heavyweight who can't take a punch, I ask you this: You'd rather watch Lewis-Tyson a second time? That's just what is going to happen presuming Tyson gets by the Black Rhino this winter.

I guess we all have different expectations for a fading heavyweight division. I can agree that the Klitschkos are past their time and deserve a shot at a heavyweight champion, so why not throw them in against Ruiz? Johnny-boy is looking for a big fight (and we are looking for him to get knocked out), so what would be the problem in that? There are no problems and that is what doesn't make sense.

Then again, when's the last time the heavyweight scene made sense at all?

While I'll be awaiting the Lewis-Klitschko fight as well as Byrd's shot at the IBF title (the way it's going he'll probably just be rewarded the damn thing), I think it would be wise for boxing scribes and fans to piss on the heavyweight parade for now and concentrate on some of the better fights coming up towards the end of, and at the beginning of this year.

DE LA HOYA - VARGAS

"Bad Blood" is a little over a week away and it is the most anticipated fight of the summer. Even with two call-offs, the people still want to see what will happen between De La Hoya and Vargas. This fight CAN NOT disappoint. Through everything I'm taking Oscar by UD 12.

BARRERA - TAPIA

This is destined to be a great fight. Barrera needs to win in style though. It appears that the wars with Morales have caused him to be a bit gun shy (and who wouldn't be?) and he has begun to box way more than he should. The guy is a warrior, the heart and soul of his country, and what he does best in put his head down and pound on the body and head in lethal combinations. He throws caution to the win until he's the last man standing. If he does that against Tapia I don't see the crazy one lasting past seven rounds.

Tapia is getting older and slipping extremely. He's given boxing one helluva wild ride and you have to appreciate it. But Medina was clearly robbed in his fight with Tapia and Johnny's last few fights have been less than par for a guy of his stature. Barrera is getting better and he has fought two WARS with "el terrible" and embarrassed the Prince before that. Tapia's workload has been lighter and less consistent. With all that said, this fight still should come out as a winner for everyone.

STILL MORE

Without getting into much detail yet, Paulie Ayala is set to square off against Erik Morales November 16th and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is due for a rematch with Jose Luis Castillo on October 5th.

Mike Samuels can be reached at Tyson180@aol.com