Rose Byrd – Trainer and Coach – passed away at 75 years old in 2015
The late Rose Byrd was a Coach and trainer in the sport. She broke many barriers to become a female Trainer/Coach during the early 60’s and 70’s, and assisted her husband Joe Byrd as he prepared for professional matches. This assistance compelled her to become more active in boxing when it was not popular for women to coach and/or work the corner of boxers. Rose went against the norm and became a licensed boxing coach.
It is believed that she was the second licensed female boxing coach in the nation. Rose worked City, Regional, State and National tournaments. She served as team manager for the 1986 Region V U.S.
At the Boxing Federation Tournament, traveling to Lake Placid, New York. Rose assisted her husband Joe when her five sons and daughter turned professional in boxing. She worked the corner for her daughter Tracy Byrd who became a two-time world boxing champion.
Rose worked the corner for her youngest son Chris Byrd, when he won the World Boxing Organization; Championship (WBO) in Germany, and the International Boxing Federation World Championship; (IBF) in Atlantic City.
Laurie Byrd told WBAN, I would always hear my brother Chris say, “It was Mama that was always in his ear during those tough fights, giving those encouraging words and tough love he needed to hear. We are the reflect of our parents, but it’s the heart and Soul of our mother’s love that kept us going, and fighting regardless of the situation. She was our Heartbeat & Rock!”
Through boxing, Rose has traveled extensively. She was the former secretary for the National Coaches Committee and the Michigan Amateur Boxing Association.
She was a member of the Michigan Association Registration Committee and serves as coach and secretary at the Joe Byrd Boxing Academy. Rose and her husband Joe were role models to not only their own children but hundreds of youths throughout the City, State and Nation.
Upon being inducted into the Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame (GFAAHF) for Community Service in 1997 and the GFAAHF in 2000 as Coach, Rose said that her connection with the sport of boxing began even before she and her husband met. It began with her grandfather who would listen to Joe Louis on the radio. She never dreamed of having a family full of boxers and athletes. Rose has been there for her family mentally, physically and spiritually throughout their days.
Throughout her life Rose was very instrumental in her children’s lives as a constant presence at their athletic events. She was a woman of wise counsel to the youth at Hamady High School, where her children attended school or at the Joe Byrd Boxing Academy where she was assistant coach with her husband Joe.
Rose Lena Byrd died on June 16, 2015. She was 75 years old.
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