The United States’ Louie Byrd Wins Gold at the World Cup of Petroleum Countries
Julie Goldsticker December 21, 2009
Flyweight Louie Byrd (Denver, Colo.) won a gold medal for his United States team on Sunday with a 9-6 victory over France's Jeremy Veccu in championship round action at the 2009 World Cup of Petroleum Countries in Khanty-Mansisysk, Russia.
The win was Byrd's third victory of the tournament, which featured 13 teams and several of the world's top Olympic-style boxers. For the first time in the event, Byrd fell behind in the first round, with Veccu holding a 3-2 lead after three minutes. Yet Byrd could not be denied, enjoying a strong second round to claim a 6-4 advantage with one stanza remaining. The American boxer refused to relinquish his lead in the final round, scoring three points to Veccu's two to win the 9-6 final victory and the gold medal.
In addition to winning the tournament, Byrd was named the Boxer with the Best Ring Tactics in the tournament. He won the only medal for the United States team at the 2009 World Cup of Petroleum Countries. Byrd is the reigning flyweight champion in the United States, and was less than two weeks two young to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Team. He now has his focus set on the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.
