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Chris Byrd vs. Andrew Golota

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Boxing match
The Next Era Of Heavyweights
DateApril 17, 2004
VenueMadison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
Title(s) on the lineIBF Heavyweight Championship
Tale of the tape
Boxer United States Chris Byrd Poland Andrew Golota
Nickname "Rapid Fire" "The Powerful Pole"
Hometown Flint, Michigan, US Warsaw, Masovian, Poland
Purse $625,000 $150,000
Pre-fight record 37–2 (20 KO) 38–4 (1) (32 KO)
Age 33 years, 8 months 36 years, 3 months
Height 6 ft 1+1⁄2 in (187 cm) 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 210+1⁄2 lb (95 kg) 237+1⁄2 lb (108 kg)
Style Southpaw Orthodox
Recognition IBF
Heavyweight Champion
The Ring
No. 2 Ranked Heavyweight		 IBF
No. 13 Ranked Heavyweight
Result
Split Draw

Chris Byrd vs. Andrew Golota, billed as "The Next Era Of Heavyweights", was a professional boxing match contested on April 17, 2004, for the IBF Heavyweight championship.

Background

Having won the vacant IBF title after getting a clear unanimous decision victory over Evander Holyfield in December 2002, Chris Byrd had only fought once since, defeating Fres Oquendo by a somewhat controversial decision in September 2003. He was nevertheless ranked as the 3rd best heavyweight by Ring Magazine at the end of year, behind only Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko.

Byrd was set to make his second defence against Derrick Jefferson however he pulled out after suffering a cut in a tune-up bout with Julius Long in February, so he was matched up against former world title challenger Andrew Golota. Golota had returned from a near three-year absence in August 2003, scoring low profile TKO wins over journeyman Brian Nix and Terrence Lewis. He had subsequently signed with promoter Don King.

The bout was heavily criticized, given Golota's last notable fight was his bout against Mike Tyson in October 2000 where he pulled out after 3 rounds, with a concussion, a fractured left cheekbone and a herniated disc (although the result was subsequently amended to a no-contest following Tyson testing positive for marijuana). "I can think of 37 guys out there who are more worthy of a title shot" said Pat English, a lawyer for Main Events, who were promoting the IBF's No. 11 heavyweight, Dominick Guinn. "It's not just because I represent Dominick, and it's not because of Golota's past. It's the principle involved."

This was Golota's first return to Madison Square Garden since the infamous riot following his disqualification loss to Riddick Bowe in July 1996.

The fights

Undercard

On the first of the televised bouts, Wayne Braithwaite defended his WBC cruiserweight championship by a lopsided decision over Louis Azille.

The second bout saw former unified welterweight champion Ricardo Mayorga face late replacement Eric Mitchell. Mayorga had been set to challenge WBA (Regular) welterweight titleholder José Antonio Rivera; however, he weighed in 6+1⁄2 pounds over the 147-pound limit and Rivera refused to fight him unless he made the limit. Mayorga would get a wide unanimous decision over Mitchell.

Ruiz vs. Oquendo

The Next Era Of Heavyweights: John Ruiz vs. Fres Oquendo
Title(s) on the lineWBA Heavyweight Championship
Tale of the tape
Boxer United States John Ruiz Puerto Rico Fres Oquendo
Nickname "The Quietman" "The Big O"
Hometown Chelsea, Massachusetts San Juan, Puerto Rico
Pre-fight record 39–5–1 (27 KO) 24–2 (15 KO)
Age 32 years, 3 months 31 years
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 240 lb (109 kg) 225+1⁄2 lb (102 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBA
Heavyweight Champion
The Ring
No. 6 Ranked Heavyweight		 WBA
No. 12 Ranked Heavyweight
The Ring
No. 8 Ranked Heavyweight
Result
Ruiz defeats Oquendo by 11th round TKO

Having been promoted to full WBA champion following Roy Jones Jr.'s return to Light heavyweight, John Ruiz signed to the make his first defence against Fres Oquendo, who in his last bout lost a somewhat debatable decision against Chris Byrd. Both had been criticized for fighting dirty throughout their career.

The fight

The bout was marred by much wrestling and grabbing, which according to one unofficial count led to referee Wayne Kelly having to separate the fighters 62 different times. Both fighters were looking to establish their jab, but the repeated grappling prevented any flow to the bout. The 15,195 person crowd booed consistently from the 1st round onward. In the 11th round Ruiz hurt Oquendo with a right hand that sent him on to the ropes, following up before the referee waved it off. At the time of the stoppage, Ruiz led on two of scorecards 96–94, and the third was even at 95-95.

Speaking afterwards Ruiz said "I want to unify the title, I will fight anyone."

Preceded byvs. Hasim Rahman John Ruiz's bouts
17 April 2004 		Succeeded byvs. Andrew Golota
Preceded byvs. Chris Byrd Fres Oquendo's bouts
17 April 2004 		Succeeded byvs. Daniel Bispo

Main Event

The bout turned out to be far more competitive than predicted, with Golota the aggressor throughout and Byrd slipping and trying to land counter shots. At the end of 12 rounds Steve Weisfeld scored it 115-113 for Byrd, Tony Paolillo had 115-113 for Golota while Melvina Latham had it 114-114, meaning the bout Byrd kept his title with a split draw. Golota was visibly unhappy with the result saying "I'm glad you feel it was a great fight, but I thought I won the fight". Nevertheless he received praise for his performance and there were calls for a rematch.

Aftermath

A rematch was planned, however Byrd ended up facing his IBF mandatory challenger Jameel McCline, and Golota got a shot against Ruiz for the WBA title on the same card.

Undercard

Confirmed bouts:

Broadcasting

Country Broadcaster
 Mexico Televisa
 United Kingdom British Eurosport
 United States Spike TV/King Vision

References

  1. "Champs denied big-cash renown". chicagotribune.com. The Chicago Tribune. 17 April 2004. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  2. "Ring Magazine Monthly Rankings - Last Updated 04.07.04". world-boxing-rankings.com. World Boxing Rankings Index. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  3. "Chris Byrd vs. Andrew Golota". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  4. "Byrd to face Golota". bbc.co.uk. BBC. 2 March 2004. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  5. TIM SMITH (28 March 2004). "BYRD UNFAZED BY GOLOTA FLAP". nydailynews.com. New York Daily News. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  6. Dave Anderson (23 March 2004). "Sports of The Times; Golota, the I.B.F. And Yet Another Disgraceful Caper". nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  7. The Associated Press (3 March 2004). "Golota's Comeback Bid to Unfold at Scene of His Most Notorious Fight". nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  8. "Golota promises a clean fight Saturday". poconorecord.com. Pocono Record. 15 April 2004. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  9. Thomas Gerbasi (17 April 2004). "Braithwaite retains cruiserweight belt". ESPN. ESPN. Archived from the original on 5 September 2004. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  10. "Former champ gets decision over sub". ESPN. ESPN. 18 April 2004. Archived from the original on 21 March 2005. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  11. Thomas Gerbasi (17 April 2004). "Ruiz ready to unify heavyweight crowns". ESPN. ESPN. Archived from the original on 20 January 2005. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  12. AP (17 April 2004). "Byrd wins decision over Golota; Ruiz wins fight with sudden punches". azdailysun.com. NEW YORK: Arizona Daily Sun. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  13. Thomas Gerbasi (18 April 2004). "Golota proves he's worthy of a title shot". ESPN. ESPN. Archived from the original on 21 March 2005. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  14. TIM DAHLBERG (19 April 2004). "Heavyweight class starving for a star". goupstate.com. Associated Press. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  15. "Byrd keeps title after draw". bbc.co.uk. BBC. 18 April 2004. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  16. "Byrd and Golota to go again". bbc.co.uk. BBC. 5 May 2004. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  17. Dan Rafael (11 April 2004). "Where are the new heavyweights?". usatoday.com. USA TODAY. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  18. "Heavyweight results leave King holding the cards". abc.net.au. ABC. 18 April 2004. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  19. "Golota rings up a little respect". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. 19 April 2004. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  20. "BoxRec - event".
Preceded byvs. Fres Oquendo Chris Byrd's bouts
17 April 2004 		Succeeded byvs. Jameel McCline
Preceded byvs. Terrence Lewis Andrew Golota's bouts
17 April 2004 		Succeeded byvs. John Ruiz
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