Clovis boxer remembered for power punch

Boxing historians will always think of Brooks Byrd as a powerful puncher, a national Golden Gloves champion, the tenacious "Dog" who recorded 15 knockouts in 30 professional bouts over six years.

Earl Large thinks of him that way, too.

"He was very strong and he had a power punch and knocked a lot of dudes out," Large said.

But Large, a child of the 1970s who spent hours and hours watching Byrd work out in a basement located at Grand and Mitchell streets in Clovis, said Sunday he will also remember Byrd as a gentleman with a lifelong happy disposition.

"He got along with everybody," Large said. "He wasn't a showboat, he was very respectful. He always kept a smile going. That was the one thing about him - he was always happy."

Byrd died Jan. 18 after a short illness. He was 72.

Large said he last saw Byrd this month when he came to watch and encourage young boxers that Large is now training.

"It was just a week before he passed away. He looked great, too," Large said. "He was all excited about what we are doing, bringing boxing back to Clovis. Boxing was a big part of our history. He (Byrd) was a big part of it."

Indeed, Byrd and Earl Large's father (also Earl Large) both were representing Clovis when they won national Golden Gloves championships in Milwaukee in 1967. Byrd upset a former national title holder on his way to the title in the 125-pound division. Large won his crown in the 119-pound division.

In 1971, Byrd turned pro. Over the next four years, he compiled a record of 17 wins, two losses and one no-decision as a super lightweight. Fourteen of those victories were by knockout, according to boxrec.com .

In a 2018 interview, Byrd said he learned to box out of necessity, growing up with eight bigger brothers. He found his way to the boxing basement and began to study the older boys as they sparred. "I started watching them," he said. "I already knew how to duck and dodge from my big brothers who bopped me on the head."

Byrd's career culminated in his being inducted into New Mexico's Boxing Hall of Fame in 2018,

The induction, he said, was "unbelievable to me."

"It's a great honor. I had some good breaks and bad breaks, some good calls and bad calls, but this is about the best call you can get," he said soon after learning of his induction.

When his boxing career ended, Byrd went to work for the Santa Fe Railway, retiring in 1993. The obituary his family put together referred to Byrd as a "boxing legend."

"Rest In Peace to "The Dog," it read, "a loving man with MANY titles and a Heart of Gold!"

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Clovis' Central Baptist Church.