Born: 1964 (Flint, Michigan)
Biography:
Tracy Michelle Byrd, born on August 27, 1964, in Flint, Michigan, is an American female boxer. She comes from a boxing family, with her father, Joe Byrd, being a former boxer who also trained her. Tracy’s brothers, Antoine and Chris, have also made their mark in the boxing world. Antoine once challenged Roy Jones Jr. for the world’s Middleweight title, and Chris is a former heavyweight title holder.
From a young age, Tracy had a passion for athletics. She excelled in high school as a basketball player but was ultimately inspired by her brothers’ success in boxing. Under the guidance of her father, she began training at the Byrd boxing gym in Flint. Little did she know, this decision would pave the way for an impressive professional career.
Tracy Byrd’s professional debut took place on August 6, 1996, at the age of 32. In an impressive display, she defeated Sue Chase by decision in four rounds in her hometown of Flint. Her first few fights were held in Flint as well, and she secured first-round knockouts in her second and third professional bouts. A rematch against Sue Chase on January 28, 1997, outside Flint in Detroit, resulted in another victory for Byrd.
Byrd’s talents and determination soon caught the attention of boxing promoters, leading to opportunities to showcase her skills outside Michigan. On August 2, 1997, she faced defending champion Nora Daigle in Biloxi, Mississippi, for the IFBA world Lightweight title. Byrd emerged victorious, becoming the new champion in a momentous achievement for her career.
She successfully defended the title on October 24, 1997, with a fourth-round knockout of Bethanny Payne in New Jersey. With an undefeated streak intact and growing recognition in the boxing community, Byrd began earning the attention of prominent boxing magazines such as The Ring and KO.
However, on June 30, 1998, Byrd suffered her first professional loss. She faced Russian boxer Zulfia Koutdoussova in a title defense and was defeated, relinquishing both her title and her undefeated record. Koutdoussova became the new focus of media attention that Byrd had been receiving.
Ever resilient, Byrd rebounded with three consecutive decision wins and earned herself a second chance at a world championship belt. On September 2, 1999, she faced Laura Serrano of Mexico for the WIBF’s world Lightweight title in Tunica, Mississippi. Although she put up a valiant effort, Byrd was defeated by a ten-round decision, falling short of her title aspirations.
Undeterred, Byrd made the decision to take two years off from boxing to lose weight and return as a Junior Lightweight in 2001. Her determination paid off when she conquered the vacant IFBA intercontinental title with a ten-round unanimous decision over Brenda Vickers on May 19 in Ignacio, Colorado.
However, her quest for another world championship ended in disappointment. On July 7, 2001, Byrd faced Layla McCarter for the IFBA world Featherweight title and was outpointed over ten rounds, resulting in another defeat. This marked the beginning of a challenging period for Byrd as she went on a five-fight losing streak.
Tracy Byrd’s professional boxing career is a testament to her resilience, dedication, and love for the sport. While she may not have attained multiple world championships, her achievements as a trailblazing female boxer cannot be understated. By breaking barriers and leaving a lasting impact, Byrd has inspired countless aspiring female boxers and has played a significant role in women’s history.
Awards:
– IFBA world Lightweight champion (1997)
– IFBA intercontinental champion (2001)