Roy Jones Jr makes his first defense of the IBF World Super Middleweight title against Antoine Byrd. This would be Byrd's second attempt at a world title. More info below...

Antoine Byrd had turned pro in 1986 and although he had a slightly rocky start with a loss and a draw in his first 7 fights he quickly improved and in 1988 he stopped former Mexican Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion, Marcos Geraldo by TKO. In his very next fight Byrd would win the vacant USA California State Super Middleweight title. In 1989 Byrd won the vacant WBA Americas Super Middleweight title and the following year added the vacant USBA Super Middleweight title to his waist also. You could argue that Byrd had an inflated professional record as he had not really fought anybody of note and all the belts he won were vacant to start with but in 1991 Byrd got his first shot at the IBF World Super Middleweight title then held by Lindell Holmes. Byrd gave a good account of himself but Holmes still came away with the split decision after 12 rounds. Byrd suffered 2 more losses back to back following his loss to Homes, getting knocked out by unheralded Larry Musgrove and then losing his USBA Super Middleweight title to undefeated Tim Littles. Throughout 1993 & 1994 Byrd went undefeated which included picking up wins against former IBO World Super Middleweight title challenger Dorrell Van Horn in Mexico and a very impressive decision over undefeated European Super Middleweight champion, Frank Nicotra in France. Due to his recent run of success Byrd had climbed his way back to #1 contender for the IBF. His record heading into the Jones fight was 26-4-1.

Roy Jones had stamped his mark on the middleweight division when he won the vacant IBF World Middleweight title in 1993 by outpointing Bernard Hopkins over 12 rounds. Following a successful defense against James Tate in 1994, Jones set his sights on the IBF World Super Middleweight title and 6 months later he would beat James Toney in a one sided fight to win the belt. Jones had an unblemished record of 27-0 with 23 KO's.

From the outset it was clear Byrd was over matched. Roy never looked bothered or concerned, in fact he was smiling during his ring entrance and laughing with his corner men during introductions. Once the fight got underway Roy never looked in trouble as Byrd stood almost flat footed in front of him while he kept himself at arms length. At 1:00 of the first round Jones unleashed a barrage of punches, some glancing and some landing, but it had the effect Jones was after making Byrd retreat and not answer back. Roy chased his hapless opponent around the ring and landed a number of big right hands until eventually Byrd dropped. Byrd got back to his feet but was clearly still dazed. Jones didn't rush in but instead took his time looking for the next opening and when he found it he unleashed with another non-stop barrage of quick punches to put Byrd on the canvas for a second time. Byrd got to his feet for a second time but it only took 1 more solid left hand from Jones to stop the fight.

Byrd took 13 months off after the loss and when he returned in 1996 he picked up 4 easy wins against over matched nobodies. In 1997 Byrd fought for the NABF Super Middleweight title but lost a one sided decision to "The African Express" Joseph Kiwanuka. Byrd bounced back in his next fight however with an impressive TKO win over Willie Monroe to claim the vacant USBA Super Middleweight title for a second time. In 1998 Byrd got his third and final shot at the IBF World Super Middleweight title now held by Charles Brewer, but was unsuccesful once again, this time being TKO'd in the third round. Byrd retired following the loss with a 31-7-1 record.

Roy Jones Jr would go from strength to strength. In 1996 he won the WBC World Light Heavyweight title, in 1998 he won the WBA version, in 1999 the IBF belt, in the year 2000 the IBO title and in 2001 the IBA's unifying all the major World Light Heavyweight titles. In 2003 Jones would pull off the biggest win of his career when he beat John Ruiz to win the prestigious WBA World Heavyweight title. As of 2016 Roy Jones Jr is still boxing, although his fights are now more sideshow spectacles against over-matched opponents than anything else...

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