Denver boxer Louie Byrd continued an undefeated run through the World Cup of Petroleum Countries in Khanty-Mansisysk, Russia, winning an 8-2 semifinal decision Saturday over Moldova’s Alexander Ryshkin at 112 pounds.
Byrd, the top-ranked American flyweight, broke a tie score in the second round with a six-point flurry, then held on in the third round. He will fight France’s Jeremy Veccu in today’s championship bout.
Byrd, 19, is the only remaining American boxer in the 11-nation tournament. He earned an 8-2 victory over Russia’s Andrei Maslak in the quarterfinal round Friday.
Star cornerback staying at CU.
Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith has decided not to enter next year’s NFL draft and will continue to play for the Buffaloes, CU football coach Dan Hawkins said.
Smith, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior, ranked fifth among the Buffs in tackles with 70 this season, when he played all but three snaps from scrimmage.
“(We) firmly believe he will be one of the best cornerbacks in the country next year,” Hawkins said.
