Banner Promotions Signs Chris Byrd

Banner Promotions’ president Art Pelullo has signed former IBF and WBO heavyweight world champion Chris Byrd to a promotional contract. Art said today, “I’m very pleased to announce this major signing. I’ve been a fan and friend of Chris’ for a long time, and I’m looking forward very much to working with him..

“I think it’s going to surprise a lot of people, but Chris - the former two-time heavyweight champ - is going to be fighting at 175 pounds. I think he’s going to make some great fights in the division, and I think he’s going to win the world championship.

“We’re going to take the first step towards that goal on May 16 when Chris fights on ESPN’s ‘Friday Night Fights’ at the Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas, in the PH ring sponsored by Planet Hollywood.”

Chris previously fought at the Cox Pavillion in 2001 and beat David Tua in an IBF heavyweight elimination bout.

Chris said, “I’m excited to work with Artie Pellulo and Banner Promotions and look forward to becoming the light heavyweight champion of the world as soon as possible. I know Roy Jones Jr. and Robert Fitzsimmons won titles at heavyweight and then light heavyweight, but I’ll be the first two-time heavyweight champion to move down to light heavy to win the title.

“It’s been eight years since I won my first heavyweight title against Vitali Klitschko, and I had a great run as heavyweight champion after beating Evander Holyfield. Now, it’s time for new challenges. All along I thought they would be at cruiserweight, but the pounds just kept coming off, and here I am!

“I’m looking forward to being on ESPN so that the people can see me at 175. I was a regular on cable back when I started, and the fans always let me know that they saw those fights and appreciated my style. I expect to show everyone that I’ll be dominant at this weight, but I know that every guy I face will be coming to knock off the former heavyweight champion. So, I’ll train extra hard to make sure they don’t get any ideas.

“The best at 175 are guys my age with a lot of experience – Antonio Tarver, Jones, Clinton Woods, Glen Johnson, Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe – and with one or two fights, I expect to be in that mix, making great fights between great fighters at light heavyweight.”

Chris, now 40-4-1 with 21 knockouts, won the WBO heavyweight world title in April, 2000. He won the IBF heavyweight world title in December, 2002, and made four successful title defenses. A native of Flint, Michigan, he represented the United States in the 1992 Olympics and won the silver medal at 165 pounds.

At 37, he won’t be the oldest of the contenders and champions at light heavyweight – Hopkins is 43 years old. Johnson, Jones, and Tarver are all 39, and Calzaghe and Woods are 35.

this could be good, theres some good fights out there if he still has anything left

Why didn't he make the move sooner? Cause the money is at heavyweight?

He was doing well at HW for awhile there
I read a quote from him on another boxing site he said he was going for cruiser but the weight just kept falling off in the gym, theres plenty of mney at LHW if he can get a fiught with Jones or Hopkins or Calz

I don't see this going well for him. He's too old, and his reflexes have erroded to the point where I think he's going to get tore up against a good LHW like Dawson, Tarver or Jones. He's not used to dealing with LHW handspeed and nows not a good age to start. IMO he should just call it quits and retire.

Looks like they found someone they think will make Byrd look good

Chris Byrd To Face Shaun George on May 16



For years, Shaun George has waited patiently for his chance to rise to the top of his division. His journey comes to a head on May 16, when the Brooklyn native faces former two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd on ESPN's Friday Night Fights in Las Vegas, NV. The fight will be contested at the light-heavyweight limit of 175 pounds.

"This opportunity means everything to me," says George, 16-2-2 (7 KO). "I'm ready for this step up on May 16. I've been waiting for this kind of fight my whole life. I believe I'm a better fighter and I'm ready to prove it. I know I'm the underdog, but I also know I will come out on top."

Shaun George is currently riding a three-fight winning streak following a dubious decision loss to Alexander Gurov in his opponent's home country. During his last fight, George shut out difficult journeyman Thomas Reid over ten rounds. Reid was a late-replacement for Eric Harding, who withdrew the week of the fight. George was a decorated amateur, winning two New York Golden Glove titles, as well as US National Amateur and Junior Olympic titles. He is trained by the venerable Tommy Brooks and promoted by Hall of Fame Promotions.

George's adversary, whose impressive mark reads 40-4-1 (21 KO), is no slouch either. Byrd has posted victories over heavyweight mainstays David Tua, Vitali Klitschko, Fres Oquendo and Evander Holyfield, among others. A silver medalist in the 1992 Olympics Games, "Rapid Fire" is a sure-fire future Hall of Famer.

"I know he's fast and that he fights intelligently," George concedes. "That doesn't concern me. It won't be about what Chris Byrd can do, but what I can do. This is my time to shine, Chris Byrd just happens to be the opponent set before me.

Shaun George's manager, Hall of Fame inductee Lou Duva, is confident with his fighter's prospects. "I've never seen him this excited about a fight before," says George's manager Lou Duva. "He wants this win, he's training to win and he's going to win.

"I know what this kid's abilities are. Shaun is a good, strong light heavyweight. He throws a lot of combinations and does what it takes to win. I like everything I see about him."

A recent press release issued by the Byrd camp made mention of Byrd's post-George intentions. George says his only concern is on the challenge he has signed to face. "He can look past me all he wants, talking about fighting Jones, Tarver and Calzaghe. My only focus is on the fight in front of me."

Adds George, "The light heavyweight division is the best division in boxing and this fight will show why. I'm bringing my A game and I expect him to do the same."

The Shaun George-Chris Byrd bout is promoted by Banner Promotions.