Sports

SPORTS

CHRIS BYRD WINS IBF TITLE BY DEFEATING EVANDER HOLYFIELD
By
Dr. Anne T. Sulton, Esq.
JA Senior International Correspondent

ATLANTIC CITY DECEMBER 14, 2002:

Many familiar with the fight game predicted Chris Byrd would out point Evander Holyfield. Byrd did just that - throwing 525 jabs to Holyfield's 37 and throwing 747 punches to Holyfield's 344. Byrd connected with 252 of the punches he threw, while Holyfield connected with 102.

Byrd won the fight and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title on a unanimous decision announced at the conclusion of this 12 round championship fight. But Byrd had to earn this victory. Holyfield gave his younger opponent a lesson in tenacity during a bruising 11th round fierce flurries of punches to Byrd's head. Byrd hung in there though - trading punches with Holyfield and showing he deserved to be champion.

Both boxers were eloquent in their post-fight statements. Holyfield was gracious in defeat. Holyfield always will be a favorite among boxing fans. Byrd is articulate and has a wonderful smile. In years to come, he too might enjoy a similar level of respect and admiration by fight fans.

Perhaps what makes Byrd so successful is his "camp" - the people surrounding him. It is markedly different from other boxing camps.

At the start of the fight, Byrd entered the ring, wearing a T-shirt that said "Jesus" on the front. Entering behind him was an older gentleman with a very pensive look on this face. Entering behind this older gentleman was an elegant looking lady carrying a small bucket. Except for the Chris Byrd T-shirt she was wearing, she looked completely out of place in this rough and tumble sport. I was thinking - What's up with that - they got the sister carrying the bucket?

Following the fight, at the press conference, I learned the older gentleman is Chris Byrd's father. He hails from Indianola, Mississippi - the hometown of B.B. King. His name is Joe Byrd. Mr. Byrd was a professional boxer. He serves as a boxing coach for his sons.

During an exclusive interview, I learned the elegant lady is Chris Byrd's mom. Her name is Rose Byrd. I asked Mrs. Byrd how she ended up carrying the bucket. She proclaimed: "I am the second." The "second" is a coach who helps out in the corner during the fights. I then asked her how she became a coach.

Mrs. Byrd explained that she would attend the boxing bouts in which her sons engaged, and, like most mothers would enthusiastically cheer for them. People would complain about the volume of her enthusiasm, resulting in her husband Joe Byrd making her a coach to keep her quiet. This transformation from cheerleader to coach happened about 25 years ago.

Mrs. Byrd obviously was very happy to be in her son's corner and serving as the "second" while he won the IBF world boxing championship bout against a formidable opponent. Her job as the "second" has given her a chance to travel extensively across the United States and abroad to countries such as Spain and Germany. There she was, in Atlantic City, standing quietly against a wall and out of most people's view while her son and husband sat on the podium answering news reporters' questions about this new IBF champ. This elegant lady was first class and "second" to none.

TYSON V. LEWIS
By Alice Thomas-Tisdale
Jackson Advocate Associate Publisher
June 8, 2002

America loses to Great Britain.

THE PYRAMID IN MEMPHIS: God forgive Americans, for they know not what they did.

The only visible American flags, during the match between American Mike Tyson and Briton Lennox Lewis, were the small patches sewn on the sleeves of Memphis police officers securing the 20,000 seat arena. In dramatic contrast, Lewis fans proudly waved the Queen's flag, sported fashionable British symbol T-shirts, and even painted their hair and faces in their national colors to show their enthusiastic support for their countryman.

This was a world title boxing match - broadcast live across this planet. But American patriotism was not evident. Few Americans acknowledged Tyson was the American contender in this international sporting event.

Long ago, I said Americans created the "monster" Mike Tyson. And, as in the great fictional tale "Frankenstein," we tried to destroy him. Although there were no torches lit in the Pyramid on June 8, hatred still burned in the hearts of many spectators in the Pyramid and watching via Pay Per View. For sure, Americans loosened the bolts on their contender's neck, leaving it to the Briton to slay the "monster" they created. Americans turned away guiltlessly, simply shaking their heads in disgust. "I felt sorry for him, I thought he was going to knock Lewis out. Man, I can't believe he went out like that," one brother lamented after the bout. But look at the way Americans decided Tyson would enter this fight.

There were nine undercard fights, including a title bout for the IBF Junior Featherweight Championship. Less than 5,000 spectators were in the stands prior to the main event - clearly few spectators came to see the sport of boxing. As Tyson left his dressing room, seats quickly filled. Within minutes, another 12,000 or so people rushed to their reserved seats.

Without controversy, the fight ended in the 8th round. Tyson's bloodied and battered body rested pitifully on the canvas. People there for a freak show did not get their money's worth. Those paying $250 to $2400 to witness a historic boxing match also were disappointed. Most disappointed was Tyson. Clearly, he hoped a victory in the ring might garner him some semblance of respect and admiration from his countrymen. Tyson lost his fight for respectability, along with his goal of recapturing the world championship boxing titles.

Mike Tyson probably will be remembered as one of America's greatest tragedies. Americans wave the red, white, and blue. Sadly, their true colors have not changed. We still are a nation of whites and blacks, and nauseatingly lukewarm shades of grey. Americans know how to get revenge. But true compassion is not yet part of our national character.

Tonight, Tyson tried to fight the good fight instructed by the apostle Paul "to show yourself approved." He was gracious in defeat. God is the true judge of a man's heart. Unfortunately, this lesson has not been learned by many Americans.

Tyson was unfairly belittled by an ESPN Sports show host. He ignorantly proclaimed: "This was not the time for Tyson to go to obedience school; this was the time for him to brawl. He kissed Lewis' mother and wiped the blood from his cheek telling Lewis how much he appreciated the opportunity to fight him. Come on." Unfortunately, no boxing or other glove has been manufactured to punch out this brand of utter stupidity.

Lewis was not Tyson's only opponent in the ring. Lewis' fans were not Tyson's only opponents outside the ring. Tyson was surrounded by distractions. He was in a fight circumstances would not allow him to win. Tyson obviously is embarrassed by his defeat. Tyson is not a hero. But Americans should be ashamed by their conduct because Tyson is not a "monster".