Time To Retire!!! Chris Byrd Knocked Out In 9

Former Heavyweight Champion turned Light Heavyweight, Chris Byrd was destroyed by Shaun George. Byrd was making his debut at Light Heavyweight and just did not have it in him to win. It appeared that age, years of fighting, and possible drop in weight not to mention an aggressive opponent who came to win were all too much for Byrd. George was able to land hard right hands throughout the whole fight. In the first round, George stunned Byrd and a little later in the round he had Byrd down. It could have been a slip or a knockdown, depends on who you ask. I personally thought it was a knockdown. In the next few rounds, George continued to land hard right hand counters. Byrd never used a jab in the fight which could have possibly helped him in the fight. Byrd really did nothing to keep George really occupied on defense. In the 6th round, Byrd turned up his intensity but still was not looking good. Out of all the rounds, that would have been the best round to say Byrd won even though I don't think he did. As the 8th round came around, it became even more obvious that Byrd was almost done. He was getting hit more, his legs look very shaky, and he had no confidence at all. Then came the 9th round and you could kinda feel that Byrd was not going to finish. Maybe it was just me, but it was like the momentum took a different swing and that swing was not good for Byrd. Then with about 41 seconds left in the 9th, George unleashed a left uppercut and a hard right hand to drop Byrd. It was not a pretty sight as Byrd's legs look like they completely gave out. As Byrd was falling, he raised his left arm open and landed extremely hard on his left shoulder. When Byrd somehow got up, it was obvious he had injured his left shoulder. The fight continued and Shaun George ran over to finish an injured, shaky Chris Byrd. George landed a few right hands beating Byrd down into the corner ropes. When Byrd rose again, you could look in his eyes and see there was no more fight in him. Referee Jay Nady saw the same thing and stopped the fight at 2:45 of the 9th round. For Byrd, it is time to call it a career. He took too much punishment in his last fights at Heavyweight and is too damaged to fight top level competition in any division. He had a good career but it is time to call it a career. I wish Byrd the best because he has always been a very respectable gentleman in the sport. As for Shaun George, time to keep it moving. He has a great KO win over a big name. Time to step up the competition and see if he is destined to be a Champion.

*****************************Update*****************************
Chris Byrd passed out in his locker room after the fight and had to be rushed to the hospital. The medicine they gave Byrd to treat his shoulder did not agree with his body. Once he was rushed to the hospital they had to give him some medicine that would counteract the other medicine. I am happy to say that Chris Byrd is doing well now, but it was a scary time for him and his family. Byrd's wife Tracy, said she will not allow him to fight again. So in other words Byrd has retired. Byrd was quoted as saying Shaun George took him to school.