The back room blueprint for past, two-time heavyweight champ Chris Byrd was to shed the excess poundage, and return as newborn at light heavyweight - the convincer a year 2007 TKO loss in IBF eliminator to Alexander Povetkin. 

Helping in the decision making - a successful jump start at 175, a likely qualifier in the Tarver, Jones Jr., Hopkins, Glen Johnson, Chad Dawson lotteries. 

The single roadblock in the path, a club fight level no-name Shaun George - piece of cake, right? 

Wrong!  

Byrd enters looking physically better than the pre-fight photos - those that had lean Chris in appearance more an Auschwitz survivor than a light heavyweight in search of a second career. 

Then the opening bell, with neither in the aggressor role until late in the stanza - bingo! - a surprise right hand on the target wobbles Byrd. George quickly jumps on his wounded prey with right hand/left hook and Byrd is down. 

Continues all George on the strength of a methodical jab-right hand that finds the mark as if radar delivered - then after a big round eight, it’s chief corner man Tommy Brooks convincing his charge to go for the knockout. 

Finally, stanza nine - George connects with right hand bomb and Byrd falls heavily to the canvas - beats the count but is down again from a barrage of power punches - referee Jay Nady finally sees the obvious and calls it no-mas. 

Time of knockout 2:45 mark - a Nady mic picks up “I think you over trained” coup de grace after the stoppage. Brilliant!

Post Scripts:

• Chris Byrd (40-5-1, 21 KO) ~ age 37, and history of battling best of the big division has taken a toll. Not a hint of quickness from the start - neither on offense or defense. Clearly a shot version ready for plucking.

• Shaun George (17-2-2, 8 KO) ~ age 29 - nice trophy for career club fighter upsetting the apple cart in convincing style. But he is what he is - if the George hat is tossed into the mix the only positive is best paycheck of his career.

• Studio guest Antonio Tarver on the target with pre-fight opinion that not age, but rather long career taking punches from big hitters is the key. The leaner look at 175 not a factor if Byrd shows up shot.

• Referee Jay Nady - Vegas connected hack still doesn’t get it. Misses the vitals that had Byrd wobbling and on shaky legs prior to stanza nine. He then lets Byrd continue after first knockdown when falling awkwardly with full body weight touching down on canvas. Corner as well guilty in not tossing towel at that point.

 

GEL  -