22.07.05 – By Izyaslav “Slava” Koza: So does anybody want to predict when Chris Byrd will announce Davaryll Williamson as the next challenger to his belt? Following the ridiculous landmark decision of “boxing organizations can stay corrupt” that awarded Williamson a higher ranking over Wladimir Klitschko in the IBF list (Klitschko just beat him in October), I fully expect Chris Byrd vs Davaryll Williamson to be made. In fact I think that we are in for another boring ( i.e. Klitschko-less, Peter-less) PPV, with that as the main event, once again proving absolutely nothing like most of King’s recent shows have done. It’s a complete and utter farce.
Don’t get me wrong, Wladimir Klitschko should have simply said “screw you” to the corruption of the IBF, foregone the predictable decision, and challenged a “real” top contender. Consequently while on the matter kudos for picking Brock, Wladimir, and kudos to Brock for fighting Klitschko. If I may digress that is precisely the type of fight we need (provided it does happen), because these are two semi top contenders and the winner clearly becomes the top one. Unfortunately TOS Williamson vs Chris Byrd is on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Williamson is a decent fighter but far from elite. People can point to the Klitschko fight and say he was doing well, but challenge any fighter to look good against a guy who trained with Joel Casamayor in the art of “running from your opponent all night.” Williamson is limited just like Monte Barrett and it does not help that he is older to boot. Along with Monte Barrett, he is another overrated (yet dedicated to the sport) commodity, they make up the new crop of King’s “pretender” stable.
It’s pretty obvious to everyone by now that Chris Byrd has become a true coward with that belt around his waist. As soon as this joke of a champion signs on the dotted line he will start praising Williamson to high heaven (and forgetting that Joe Mesi exposed him easily) ala the “promotional campaign” that made people believe Andrew Golota is still worth something as a fighter. Newsflash Byrd having trouble with the foul pole just means you two are a class below the other fighters. Byrd has fought bad fighter after bad fighter as a champion and it looks like we are headed for another BS title defense.
I sincerely hope that Byrd is reading this article (fat chance, they probably only read the ass kissing crap that claims to be “objective”). Before when he didn’t have a belt and was forced to fight Tua, Ibeabuchi, and Klitschko, win or lose he had my respect. As a champ (beating Holyfield at that) he has deteriorated into a joke, and I have grown to despise him more then respect him. I hope he reads this editorial “slap in the face,” and says to himself, “you know Slava is right. I did duck Wladimir Klitschko, and I did lose to Fres Oquendo, and I shouldn’t have fought Andrew Golota, and made him out to be deserving of a title shot. That kind of record does not make me the best in the world no way no how. However I will prove to this garbage writer and the rest of the world that I am more of a fighter then that. I won’t only challenge John Ruiz, or Lamon Brewster, I will do all I can to fight them. I will take less money, I will fight wherever I need to, but I will throw this article and others like it into every critic’s face, and force on them the notion that I am the best in the world, because I believe I am.
Its at times like these that I think about fighters of the Glen Johnson, Sam Solimon, Emanuel Augustus variety. They may not hold belts at the moment, but they will tell you the truth about any of their fights, win lose or draw. They will take the tough fights, and they will always have more respect among fans, then fighters with belts of the Chris Byrd variety.
Do the right thing Chris, make the fights with the other belt-holders, prove to us what your all about, otherwise, don’t complain when your fight with Davaryl Williamson is mocked as a legit title defense. If we are subjected to Davaryl Williamson vs Chris Byrd then Chris Byrd should be relegated discounted as a legitimate top heavyweight.