Former Two-Time Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd Knocked Out at 55 in Comeback

Former two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd was knocked out in the first round of his comeback fight against Anthony Welsh in Zambia in June 2026. Byrd was 55 at the time of the bout.

For the fight, Byrd dropped to the middleweight division.

Anthony Welsh was 27 years younger than Chris Byrd at the time of their bout. Welsh had only four professional fights behind him when he faced Byrd. Byrd had not fought professionally for 17 years before his defeat in June 2026.

In an interview with Fight & Heal, Byrd described the physical condition he was in. “I still have a little bit of pain here and there in my hips. I had a hip replacement, I need another hip replacement, I need both of my shoulders replaced, and I had neuropathy in my foot. My body was destroyed,” Byrd said. He revealed that he had suffered chronic pain for ten years.

The Fight & Heal interview in which Byrd discussed his physical condition was published on June 27, 2026. Byrd also spoke about his intention to return to boxing at age 50. “I’m thinking about comeback to, well, not thinking about, I am comeback to boxing at 50,” Byrd said.

Byrd is a 1992 Olympic silver medalist.

During his professional career, he beat Vitali Klitschko, Evander Holyfield, and David Tua.

There is no evidence that Byrd failed a medical examination before the fight. There is also no evidence that his previous injuries caused the knockout.

What are your thoughts on Chris Byrd’s comeback fight against Anthony Welsh in Zambia at age 55?