Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko

Die Rache des Bruders

Date	14 October 2000
Venue	Kolnarena, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Title(s) on the line	WBO Heavyweight Championship
Tale of the tape
Boxer Chris Byrd Wladimir Klitschko Nickname Rapid Fire Dr Steelhammer Hometown Flint, Michigan, U.S. Kyiv, Ukraine Pre-fight record 31–1 (19 KO) 34–1 (32 KO) Age 30 years, 1 month 24 years, 6 months Height 6 ft 1+1⁄2 in (187 cm) 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) Weight 213+1⁄2 lb (97 kg) 238 lb (108 kg) Style Southpaw Orthodox Recognition WBO Heavyweight Champion WBO No. 1 Ranked Heavyweight
Result
Klitschko wins via unanimous decision (120–106, 119–107, 118–108)

Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko, billed as Die Rache des Bruders (German for "Revenge Of The Brother"), was a professional boxing match contested on 14 October 2000 for the WBO Heavyweight Championship.

Background

After his shock victory over the undefeated Vitali Klitschko, following Vitali suffering a torn rotator cuff, Chris Byrd agreed to face his number one contender, and Vitali's younger brother Wladimir. Wladimir Klitschko had won ten fights in a row following his first pro loss at the hands of journeyman Ross Puritty in December 1998.

The fight

Klitschko knocked Byrd down in round nine and again in round eleven on route to a clear unanimous decision victory with scores of 120-106, 119-107 & 118-108, giving him his first world title belt.

Aftermath

Wladimir would go on to make six defences of his title before he suffered a knockout loss to Corrie Sanders in March 2003. Byrd would win his next four bouts, including against Maurice Harris and David Tua in an IBF heavyweight title "eliminator" mini-tournament which put him in line for a shot at the IBF belt then held by Lennox Lewis. Lewis would vacate the title and Byrd would face former champion Evander Holyfield for the vacant belt.

Undercard

Confirmed bouts:

Broadcasting

Country	Broadcaster
Germany	Sat.1
United Kingdom	Sky Box Office