In devastating fashion, the still perfect 5-0, Byron Byrd, knocked out Mike “Shake and Bake” Shekenberg only 10 seconds into the bout with a laser-guided right hand – sending Shekenberg to the canvass and setting an M-1 Selection fastest knock-out” record on Saturday night at the M-1 Selection 2010 – Americas.
With four of five victories coming by way of first round TKO’s, Byrd’s striking is sharp to say the least with credit going to his Muay Thai and Boxing background. “My striking IS sharp and I like to push the action. I look to utilize my strengths to take control and go for the opportunity to end the fight. Now I’m looking towards my fight with M-1 in August. I don’t care who it is – I’ll be ready and focussed.”
This was a fight Byrd wanted to win in quick decisive fashion,” says M-1′s Director, Evgeni Kogan, “Not only does this keep matchmaker, Paul Domenech, interested in him, but also ensures he continues on in the gruelling light heavyweight tournament brackets injury-free.”
Throughout 2009, Byrd has had a total seven fights cancelled on him due to opponent injury, failure to make weight or the promotion cancelled. So now, after prepping for seven fights over the last year and a half, Byrd’s opportunity with M-1 Global materialized – and he capitalized on it in stellar fashion.
Being front and centre for Byrd seems to be normal; even a shot at some acting on the big screen has come his way as he recently auditioned for a lead supporting role in “One for the Money” starring Katherine Heigl, produced by Lakeshore Entertainment. The movie is slated to be released sometime in 2011. If Byron has the acting chops to get the role, he’ll be playing one of the main antagonist characters in the film. For now, he’s focussed on August 7th and his return to the M-1 Global canvass.
The M-1 Selection2010 – Americas tournament third round takes place live on August 7 at Bally’s Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Tickets are available through www.TicketMaster.com. Doors open at 7:00 pm, first fight at 7:30 PM/ET.
Free broadcast coverage of the entire 2010 M-1 Selection tournament will be available live to viewers worldwide on www.M-1global.com and selected affiliate partner sites.
