Heavyweight Champ, 55, Needed a New Hip Before KO1 at 160lbs

Former two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd suffered a first-round knockout loss at age 55 in his professional boxing comeback against Anthony Welsh in Zambia in June 2026. Byrd had dropped down to middleweight at 160 pounds for the bout, which marked his first fight in 17 years. The defeat came despite Byrd previously revealing extensive physical problems, including needing another hip replacement, two shoulder replacements, and suffering neuropathy.

In an interview published by Fight & Heal, Byrd previously admitted to dealing with a decade of chronic pain and severe joint damage. Welsh, who was 27 years younger than Byrd and had only four previous professional bouts, stopped the former champion in under three minutes. World Boxing News notes that while there is no evidence Byrd failed a medical examination, his clearance to fight has drawn scrutiny given his physical condition and age.