Yes that is correct. Byrd was managed by a guy called John Hornewer or something and he said afterwards that he felt for Vitali, preparing for Ruddock and then being told that Byrd was the replacement. I think this was all back in April of 2000. I remember having to travel to Easons on O'Connell street to read the old Fight Game and Fight News papers to get the results of the fights. I think I knew the Ibeabuchi vs Byrd result about 3 months after it happened. Same as Byrd in fact.
Vitali should win but goes through hell to do it. Ruddock is just a tad too one dimensional to win unless he busts Vitaly up and forces a stoppage on cuts. I think Vitaly stays disciplined and survives some scary moments to win.
In 2000 it would've been a cakewalk for vitali; prime for prime you still favour him to ride it out and outlast razor but it's not a certainty
