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By Tom Donelson - Former IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd is back in the hunt. Well, sort of. Last month, Chris Byrd made his return to the ring for the first time since being knocked out by Wladimir Klitschko almost a year earlier. The event, held at Clifford Park in the Ba*****, saw Byrd outbox opponent Paul Marinaccio with ease. He almost looked like the same Byrd that took David Tua to school several years ago. Slipping punches and striking Marinaccio with slick combinations almost at will. Byrd, age-36, looked more like a 26-year-old.
But, before his fans get too excited, Marinaccio is a C-level fighter at best. His record of 22-2 look impressive on the outside, but most of his victories occurred in the Carolinas and not against top competition. His previous step up in class against the light-punching Timor Ibragimov, ended in a knockout loss. Byrd simply treated Marinaccio as a punching bag who simply did not have the skills to keep up. The seventh round TKO of Marinaccio was Byrd's first stoppage win since 2002. [details]
But, before his fans get too excited, Marinaccio is a C-level fighter at best. His record of 22-2 look impressive on the outside, but most of his victories occurred in the Carolinas and not against top competition. His previous step up in class against the light-punching Timor Ibragimov, ended in a knockout loss. Byrd simply treated Marinaccio as a punching bag who simply did not have the skills to keep up. The seventh round TKO of Marinaccio was Byrd's first stoppage win since 2002. [details]