By Wes Moore

10.09 - The dumping of the IBF World Heavyweight Title by Lennox Lewis has created an interesting situation within the division. The #1 Contender for that title is Chris Byrd and he will undoubtedly be involved in any clash for the now vacant title. The style that Byrd brings to the table is one that nobody is eager to match up against. Chris Byrd makes people look bad. Chris Byrd is not a dominator or a warrior but his style is such that no one can look impressive in a bout against him. He is a great technical, tactical fighter, which is a rarity in the heavyweight division. The Lewis camp did not find a fight against Byrd to be an exciting proposition so he dropped the strap. Now, someone must fill the void and take the fight that no one really wants to take. The most obvious choice is the #2 IBF Contender Evander Holyfield and he should step up and challenge for the strap.

The ultimate goal of Evander is to unify the Heavyweight Title on his way out. The public does not yearn for Ruiz-Holyfield 4 and the Lewis camp is not looking in his direction for their next defense so that leaves the IBF title. Any attempt to unify the titles must start with holding at least one of the three splintered belts. I doubt that at this point in his career that Holyfield would look forward to having to outwork Byrd but it is his best choice at the moment.

The prospect of a Byrd-Holyfield fight does not have the marketability of any Lewis or Tyson fight but hey it is Evander Holyfield. The added leverage in the promotion of the fight is that this is the belt that Lennox Lewis abandoned rather than fight Chris Byrd. Everyone knows that Lewis does not fear Byrd but he is rather looking for large dollars in a Tyson rematch or a battle with either of Klitschko brothers. This could be promoted as a fight of great importance and it should be whether or not the public wants it or not.

I want to see this fight. Evander Holyfield still has the tools to frustrate anyone in the division. He's the crafty veteran and he still has the heart of the warrior with the head to match. It would be a great matchup as Chris Byrd is used to being the administrator of frustration in all of his bouts. This fight probably wouldn't appeal to the boxing masses but I'm sure there are many like myself that would still like to watch Holyfield and Byrd ply their craft against each other. I hope that Evander Holyfield will take this fight because his other options are limited. You can reach me at largedog@bellsouth.net and until next time watch out for the upper cut behind the jab.