Chris Byrd was an unlikely world champion after climbing all the way from middleweight to heavyweight as a professional.
The Michigan fighter made his name at the 1992 Olympics, and he quickly decided that he wanted to compete in the biggest fights against boxing’s giants.
During a lengthy career, Byrd competed in numerous high-profile fights where he shared the ring with many great names.
After taking on both Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, Byrd would also take on David Tua and Evander Holyfield.
Despite sharing the ring with these elite names, Byrd offers a surprising answer when discussing the hardest puncher he ever faced.
“DaVarryl Williamson. He didn’t hit me, but I know who had the best power. People are gonna say, ‘Why DaVarryl?’ He had a ‘Touch of Sleep’, he had Deontay Wilder-type power,” said Byrd when speaking to The Ring.
“If he had been 6-foot-7, he’d have been running things like Wilder. To the media, he’s very underrated, but to the boxers, everybody knows if you get in the ring with him and he touches you, you’re going to sleep.”
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