By Johnny Ortiz

On April 22, 2006, Waldimir Klitschko and IBF Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd will renew an old rivalry when they meet face to face at the SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany.  On October 14, 2000, Wlad and Chris fought to a twelve round decision that was won big time by Klitschko.  The three judges turned in overwhelming scores of 120-106, 119-107, 118-108, all in favor of the 6’6 power puncher who calls Hamburg, Germany home. 

Chris, who was never in the fight, tasted the canvas twice in the 9th and 11th rounds while losing his WBO crown.  That was six years ago, this Saturday; Wladimir will attempt to once again dislodge the IBF tiara that Chris Byrd has worn for the past four years.  An interesting side note is that when Wladimir won their first fight, he won back the WBO title that his brother Vitali had lost to Byrd six months prior. 

Like the Wladimir fight, Vitali was hammering Byrd throughout the fight until he had to retire due to a shoulder injury in the 9th round.  It too, was a no-contest until the abrupt end.  Vitali led on all scorecards by the sum of 88-83, 89-82, 88-82, with only three rounds to go.  Vitali did the right thing, by continuing with such an injury; it could very well have resulted in permanent damage. 

Being an intelligent chap, he chose to surrender his title in order to fight another day.  Some idiots who knew nothing of the intricacies of boxing were quick to call Vitali a ‘quitter’ who used the shoulder as an excuse.  It seems incongruous that Byrd is now saying that the reason he lost his fight with Wladimir is that Wlad had a chemical substance on his gloves that made his face swell.  He again brought up the allegation this past weekend until Universum Box-Promotion arranged through a regional court in Berlin a court order that the IBF champion stop with the accusation. 

Many years later, Vitali proved he was no quitter when he went head to head with then champion Lennox Lewis in Los Angeles.  Even though he was badly cut and bleeding, he fought on even rocking Lewis on several occasions.  The fight was stopped with Vitali leading on all scorecards, but not before Vitali insisted it continue.  It would have made for a great rematch but Lennox retired.  The difference between the two stoppages in the Byrd and Lewis fights were that a brave fighter can try to fight on with cuts, but when your shoulder is badly hampered, you become a one armed fighter not to again mention the danger of permanent damage.

Those were fights in the past, Saturday night Chris has vowed to go on the attack, I personally do not consider it a wise move against a huge puncher with 40 KO’s in his 45 wins, I have to think that Chris may be trying to perhaps change Wlad’s game plan, it will not work, Emmanuel Steward, Klitschko’s very shrewd trainer, has gone on record saying that they are prepared for anything Byrd brings to the fight.  After again studying both fighters and their past fights, I have to again give the big edge to Wladimir. 

Chris, who I have always considered a gigantic version of Pernell Whitaker, simply does not have the firepower to keep a straight ahead, hard-hitting fighter such as Klitschko from not getting to him.  Wladimir, like his brother Vitali, probes with his big left jab, all the while setting up to launch his rocket-like right hand or the hard left hook off the jab.  Chris has to keep on the move constantly, jumping in and out with fast combinations; he has to make Wlad work.  He must not buy in to the ludicrous remarks made that Klitschko has no stamina. 

Throw out the Brewster fight, after beating Lamont half to death in the first four rounds, something physically overcame Wlad causing him to exit the fight.  There were hospital reports that his sugar count was outrageously high and that a few other things were evident that could have been a factor in causing his all-out fatigue.  There is nothing wrong with Wlad’s stamina, in his last fight on September 24, 2005, an IBF and WBO eliminator against the guy many thought of as the second coming of Mike Tyson, Samuel Peter, Klitschko went the full twelve rounds even causing Peter to do a couple of steps from the Funky Judah at the end of the last round.  Had it gone another round, Wlad would have KO’d Peter.  Chris knows better than to buy into the stamina theory, didn’t Wlad clean his clock for twelve rounds when they last fought?  Bad chin?  Chris had better not count on it, if Samuel Peter couldn’t take out Wladimir inside twelve rounds, what chance does Bryd have of doing it. 

I will give you the Corrie Sanders knockout of Wladimir, I have always said that the first two rounds of a fight are the most dangerous, Wladimir got caught cold by a very hard puncher in the opening round, by his own admission, he said he took Corrie Sanders too lightly, Wladimir paid the price, he never recovered from the first round thrashing.  The KO at the heavy hands of Sanders didn’t do Wladimir’s chin any good, a fighter does not get KO’d in the manner in which Wladimir did without it having some kind of consequence. 

On December 7, 2002, Klitschko had the stamina and power late in his fight against big Jameel McCline, taking him out in the tenth round of their twelve round bout, the same McCline who lost a split decision in twelve against Bryd.  There were many who were of the opinion that Jameel won the fight, a fight where he dropped Chris in the second round.  The same opinion was shared in the Andrew Golota-Chris Byrd encounter, the fight was called a draw.  I too, thought that Golota had won the fight.  That was then, this is now.  Bryd comes into the fight on Saturday night riding an eight fight win streak, excluding the Golota draw.  He has learned a lot since that night six years ago, he’s been in with the big boys and has no fear of them.  Chris Byrd may not be the most exciting fighter in the world but he comes professionally prepared and will fight to the very end. 

Saturday night, he will be giving away, according to what they both weighed in their last fights, thirty one pounds in weight, six inches in height, seven inches in reach, five years in age, and a whole lot of power…the amazing thing is that Chris Byrd would not have it any other way.  I admire him for his tenacity, his willingness to fight anyone, his beliefs, and most importantly, his great desire to be a champion in the most dangerous sport of all.  I look for a cat and mouse kind of fight, Wladimir in pursuit, Chris using the legs that have kept him a champion for four years. 

Klitschko is looking for respect, respect that he feels has eluded him for the past two years, he feels he is on the right track after beating a much publicized contender such as Samuel Peter, enabling him to get a shot at the IBF title presently held by Chris Byrd.  I witnessed their first confrontation, I am eagerly awaiting the rematch, nothing has changed my way of thinking since their first hookup, I believe Wladimir Klitschko, who does have boxing skills, will again be too big, too strong, and will be armed and ready to chase down the very elusive Chris Byrd. 

The fight will be a classic boxer-puncher matchup, I usually tend to go with the better boxer over a powerful slugger but in this case, Wladimir has learned his craft well, having engaged in 48 professional bouts, he knows what it takes to adapt to any style, plus having Emmanuel Steward in his corner, he couldn’t ask for better advice. 

One thing he will have to do is cut the ring off on Byrd, it will not be easy, but then that is what makes boxing the great sport it is…the unlikely scenario of the unexpected.  Don’t miss this fight, Wladimir, as he continues his search for respect, Chris who has given the sport so much, deserves that you view the fight as he rounds the bend for home.

JOHNNY ORTIZ IS A MEMBER OF THE WORLD BOXING HALL OF FAME BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE GOLDEN STATE BOXERS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND A FORMER CO-OWNER OF THE FAMOUS, LEGENDARY MAIN ST. GYM.