Chris Byrd is defending his IBF world title against DaVarryl Williamson on Oct.1st in Reno. Byrd, who has a record of (38-2-1,20 KO), needs to be impressive against Williamson. In Byrd's last few fights he has looked pretty shaky. On top of being knocked down against McCline, he was getting hit more than usual in other previous fights. Many experts think that Byrd is losing his illusiveness in the ring. I personally think that he is trying to be more pleasing to the public, by standing and trading with his opponents. Even though it might be more appealing to the public, that isn't what got Chris his title. Being a slick fighter and embarrassing most of his opponents is what elevated him to the top. I see no reason for him to change his style, especially against Williamson.

DaVarryl Williamson is in the biggest fight of his life. This will be his first world title fight, and it will be in Byrd's backyard. Williamson needs to use his natural knockout power to have an edge in this fight. If he doesn't use his power advantage, he is going to be in for a long night. Now that Byrd is becoming "supposedly easier to hit", maybe DaVarryl can get some good licks in on the champ, and make this a gritty fight. There are some things that Williamson is going to have to do against Byrd in order to have a chance to win. One possible strategy would be to pin Byrd up against the ropes and swing away. Williamson also needs to press the action and make Byrd fight. If Williamson doesn't present a moving target, Byrd will just move around the ring at will and land pot shots all night basically making DaVarryl look like an amateur. Williamson, being a more natural puncher than Byrd, should also take every advantage on the inside. If there is a clinch he should be whacking away at Byrd's body. In doing such it should slow Byrd's head movement to slow down and make him an easier target.

This fight is intriguing, because a lot of boxing insiders want to see how Byrd is going to handle Williamson. Byrd is by far the better fighter, he has better ring generalship, better combo's, and better defense. The only thing that is going to work against him in this fight is that he has started to stop implying these skills and fight tactics. Byrd's sudden urge to slug could play right into the hungry challenger's fight game. Williamson's only chance is to make it a dog fight, and forget the fact that they are friends outside the ring. If he were to fight every minute of every round, he could very well take Byrd's head off. DaVarryl has that kind of fire power in his punches. Williamson has the ability to knockdown or knockout a fighter with either hand, in any round. If the opportunity presents itself for DaVarryl, Byrd could find himself looking up at the lights, and hearing a ten count.

I expect this fight to be tactical and slow going in the first few rounds. Neither fighter is known to be a fast starter. If either one were to come out blazing, and set a fast pace in the beginning, they would have a huge advantage in this fight. Byrd needs to show the world that he is the best current Heavyweight Champion in this fight, and Williamson needs to show the world that he is there for real. I am really curious how this one is going to turn out, is it going to be embarrassing for one fighter? Or lights out for another? I guess we'll find out on Oct.1st.

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