At age 42, Byard made history on February 24, 2024, defeating Alvarez to seize the CPBC Canadian Heavyweight Title. Surpassing George Chuvalo’s 39-year-old record, Byard transformed from a 0-4 rookie into a late-blooming champion. The TKO victory capped an eight-fight knockout streak, defying critics who dismissed his age and lack of formal training. 

Byard’s triumph redefined age limitations in combat sports. His self-engineered regimen—featuring pre-dawn hill sprints and bare-knuckle bag work—prioritizes explosive power over traditional technique. Fighters now replicate his “prison cardio” circuits to build endurance. The title defense strategy, emphasizing body shots and clinch dominance, is dissected in BC boxing seminars. Byard’s story is a cornerstone of his mentorship program for ex-convicts, proving “second chances can knock out stereotypes.” His record remains a benchmark for late-career comebacks.