With some critics believing that he could - and perhaps should - be 0-3 in his last three bouts IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd desperately needed a convincing display against close friend and former sparring partner DaVarryl Williamson at the Events Center in Reno, Nevada.

He didn't get one, instead he got a 115-113, 116-112, 116-112 points decision after another dreary 12 rounds which would have done nothing whatsoever for his already poor reputation amongst hardcore fans.

Williamson, getting a surprise and court-ordered shot after wins over the likes of Oliver McCall and Derrick Jefferson, never once threatened to uncork his 'Touch of Sleep' right hand and instead fought as though the light-punching Byrd was a peak Mike Tyson. In fact, Byrd found himself in an unusual role: that of the man making most of the running in what was a poor, poor spectacle.

Referee Vic Drakulich warned both for the lack of activity and this warning was repeated by Nevada Athletic State Commissioner Marc Ratner but, regardless, there was no real increase in activity or aggression.

The early rounds were extremely hard to score. Williamson, 37, was able to land his solid jab almost at will but just didn't throw enough. Byrd, meanwhile, only fought in spurts at the end of the round.

Byrd probably edged ahead in the final four rounds but with so little action a handful of punches here and there would have made all the difference.

Byrd won the vacant IBF belt with a points decision over ancient former champion Evander Holyfield in December 2002. He then looked lucky to get by Fres Oquendo in his first defence, was given an absolute gift of a draw v Andrew Golota and in his last in November 2004, was dropped and seemingly outpointed by Jameel McCline only to once again be saved by the judges.

Now the 35-year-old, his defensive skills faltering, has failed to impress in a quartet of title defences.

Byrd blamed his rocky relations with promoter Don King for his poor showing. "If you are with Don King and you're in his dog house, you don't get to fight. I need to be active. I'm off 11 months, that's what you get."

It is expected Byrd will now take King to court in an attempt to break his contract.