On February 3, 2024, Jaye Byard (7-4, 7 KOs) stunned the boxing world by stopping undefeated Benjamin Alvarez (4-0-0) in six rounds at the Enoch Recreation Centre, Alberta. At 42, Byard claimed the UBO Continental Heavyweight title and the CPBC Canadian Heavyweight Championship, becoming the oldest man to win the latter—breaking George Chuvalo’s 1977 record.

This victory epitomized Byard’s self-taught southpaw style, blending unorthodox angles and relentless pressure. Training without a formal coach, he honed his KO power through prison-yard grit and iron-pipe conditioning drills. The fight’s footage is now used to teach resilience, with Byard stating, “I fight like a man with no backup plan.” His post-prison redemption arc has inspired a training philosophy centered on mental fortitude, adopted by fighters at his Surrey gym. The dual-title win cemented his legacy as Canada’s most improbable heavyweight force.