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Chris Byrd, IBF Heavyweight Champion
Julius Stecker: How is training going right now?
Chris Byrd: Pretty good, I am always training though, but I have not begun fight preparation yet.
Julius Stecker: Are you fighting Fres Oquendo, and if so when?
Chris Byrd: Yes, we are supposed to fight on September 20th, (on HBO) we are just getting everything straightened out right now.
Julius Stecker: What was your perspective on Lewis-Klitschko?
Chris Byrd: The Lewis looked slow and old, it wasn't so much that Klitschko looked good, it was more so that Lewis did not look good.
Julius Stecker: Everybody knows Lennox Lewis does not want to fight you, does that discourage you at all?
Chris Byrd: It did for a little while, but it really is not worth it to worry about stuff like that, if he wants to fight me he will fight me, it is out of my control.
Julius Stecker: You have some great potential match-ups with you and many other fighters, namely Roy Jones Jr, James Toney, Mike Tyson, or a possible Klitschko rematch, but who do your really want to fight?
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Julius Stecker: Boxing purists would say Chris Byrd vs Roy Jones Jr, would be a classic for the ages, so why is Roy not eager to get in the ring with you?
Chris Byrd: You would have to ask Roy that question, he is my guy in all and he is a great fighter and e has been since all the way back to his amateur days, but if he would want to fight me that would be great.
Julius Stecker: Chris you are a family orientated guy, do you think that contributes to the success you have achieved?
Chris Byrd: Yes, I am a Christian first and foremost, I don't hang out and I don't like to party, you only have some much time in this sport, so I am really enjoying it loving it.
Julius Stecker: Are you and your wife involved in any community and or charity work?
Chris Byrd: Yes, everything goes through our church, I recently have been helping a young man from the Bahamas, and I also work with children and with the people of Flint as well.
Julius Stecker: You are a great fighter, but I have noticed that you are at almost every major boxing fight you are not involved in, would you consider yourself a huge boxing fan?
Chris Byrd: I am a boxing junkie, I love watching fights, all the way from the four rounders to the 12 round championship fights. My wife sometimes asks me why we have to go so early, but I just love being there watching fights, sometimes I even pick things up while watching these fights.
Julius Stecker: What is your take of De La Hoya-Mosley II?
Chris Byrd: I don't pick fights anymore but if things go the way I think they are going to go I would say Mosley by a hair. De La Hoya is very fast, but Mosley is faster, and he does not fear De La Hoya. De La Hoya will come with a 4 punch combination, then Mosley will come back with a 5 punch combo, and that may be the difference, unless some one gets hurt. It is a pick em fight, and it will be a great fight because both guys have a lot to prove.
Julius Stecker: In closing, how do you want to be remembered as fighter, and do you one day want to be in the boxing Hall of Fame?
Chris Byrd: Going to the boxing Hall of Fame would be a great honor and would definitely like to be considered for it....As a fighter I would like to be remembered as a guy who was willing to face everybody, and that I was real and honest with everybody.
Talkingboxing.com would like to thank Chris Byrd (and his wife Tracy) for taking the time from his busy schedule to speak with us and we wish him success in his September 20th fight.