Knockout Nation

(Knockout Nation 6/07/08)

James “Lights Out” Toney is returning on July 16, 2008 to face Hasim Rahman in a rematch and this fight fan could not be any happier. Toney (70-6-3) has had an outstanding boxing career that will have unquestionably earned him a spot as a 1st ballot hall of famer as soon as he is eligible. Now, nearing 40 years old with over a year of inactivity, many would suggest that Toney should consider retiring as he has nearly had the career of two modern day fighters combined. However, anyone that has followed the career of Toney knows that he is a fighter that calls his own shots and will only call it a day when he sees fit.

After testing positive for illegal substances following his last 2007 performance against Danny Batchelder, Toney was fined, suspended, and has been low key ever since. With the recent news of his rematch with Rahman, it appears Toney now has another opportunity to get back in the mix of the heavyweight scene. Because the heavyweight division is so lackluster at the moment, it is not unthinkable that an older fighter like Toney could come back and (after a few wins) get another title shot. As we all can recall, Evander Holyfield was able to come back and do the same thing last year. However, many will question if Toney still has the ability to be competitive in the current heavyweight landscape based on his last two performances. Toney lost a unanimous decision to Sam Peter in their rematch, and in his last outing, he won a lackluster split decision over journeyman Danny Batchelder. While these performances were far from vintage James Toney, if Toney is motivated, I think it is hard to totally count him out. We have to remember that in terms of pure skills, Toney has probably forgotten more about boxing than most novices will ever learn.

Throughout his career, Toney has been an excellent boxer/puncher with speed, good power, and a beautiful shoulder roll defensive technique. In addition to his ability to beat you from the inside or outside, Toney has mastered the art of slipping and rolling with punches as well as any fighter you’ve witnessed. With excellent balance and positioning, Toney’s manner of deflecting shots and coming right back to nail his opponents with counter right hands was a thing of beauty. Toney’s style was so effective that it enabled him to be successful in every weight class he fought in from Middleweight to Heavyweight. Not only has Toney won titles at every weight class he has competed in, but he was once considered the #1 pound for pound fighter and is a two time Ring Magazine “Fighter of The Year” recipient. On top of those credentials, another thing so impressive about Toney’s career was his sheer activity. During the period from which he fought Michael Nunn up until Roy Jones, he fought 20 times in less than 3 and a half years. No matter what network it was on, and no matter if his titles were on the line, at a point in his career, Toney was fighting every two or three months. This type of activity is simply unheard of these days as most championship caliber fighters are content with making two or three customary appearances per year.

After moving to cruiserweight, Toney racked up several victories and had one defining fight that set the stage for his impressive, late career resurgence. With a win over Jason Robinson in an IBF Cruiserweight elimination bout, Toney earned a shot at the title held by Kazakhstan’s Vassily Jirov. Jirov, an Olympic gold medal winner, was a hard nosed southpaw who had defended the title six times prior to the Toney fight. Known for his brutal training sessions, pressure style, and iron chin, Jirov was looked at as the favorite going into this fight. On August 26, 2003, these two engaged in an all time classic. From round 1, the two warriors went toe to toe and never let up an inch. Jirov pressed the action and laid a brutal assault on Toney’s body. Toney, in the best shape of his career, sucked it up, and countered Jirov with accurate rights and left to the body and head all night. Many times throughout the fight, Jirov backed Toney to the ropes and would throw a barrage of punches allowing them to land wherever they could. It was on the ropes where Toney allowed Jirov to burn energy while James effectively countered, blocked and parried many shots.

Jirov remained tough as nails throughout the match and going into the 12th round, it seemed to be a very close fight. At the urging of his trainer Freddie Roach to put Jirov down, Toney did just that. With everything on the line, Toney set up Jirov with a stunning left hook to the body and two right hands to the head to drop him to the canvas in the 12th round. Jirov beat the count but the damage seemed to be done. The knockdown seemed to seal the deal, and sure enough, Toney won a unanimous decision and won the IBF cruiserweight title. The fight was declared “Fight of The year” and is easily one of the best cruiserweight fights ever along with the first Holyfield vs. Qawi fight in 86.

With the Jirov fight in the books, Toney decided to take his skill and popularity to the next level – The Heavyweight Division. After stopping Evander Holyfield in his heavyweight debut, many pegged Toney as a possible savior of the diluted heavyweight division. Even at Heavyweight, fighting at a more stationary and slower pace, Toney’s skills still allowed him to stand directly in front of much bigger opponents and outbox them without getting hurt. Toney went on to win the IBF heavyweight title from John Ruiz, but was eventually stripped of it after a substance called nandrelone was found in post fight urine test. However, Toney’s physician came on record stating that the substance was only used to treat a prior injury to Toney’s arm. Nevertheless, after a brief suspension, Toney returned and eventually put in his last truly great performance at Heavyweight against Nigeria’s Samuel Peter.

Although Peter won the decision on the judge’s scorecards, many boxing media and fans feel Toney clearly deserved the decision in this fight. But regardless of the official decision, for a former Middleweight to be able to stand in front of a Super Heavyweight like Sam Peter and go toe to toe was just downright inspiring. Not only did Toney not run in the fight, but he took some of Peter’s best shots and did not go down. At 38, Toney appeared to out boxed and frustrate the younger and stronger Sam Peter throughout the fight. Again, even though many think James was robbed, his performance spoke volumes about what type of fighter Toney really is. The decision of the fight was so controversial that an immediate rematch was called. However, on this night, it was Peter who showed that he learned much from his first encounter with James. Not only was Peter the better man in the ring that night, but it appeared that James’s reflexes and balance were way off. Many contributed this possibly to Toney’s age and prior ring/gym wars, but another factor was that Toney was simply too overweight.

Throughout his career, Toney’s toughest opponent has been his weight. It is well documented that while in the middle/super middleweight division, Toney would sometime blow up to 200 – 210 pounds and had to lose 40 pounds in 4 to 5 weeks to make weight. It has also been stated that it was common for him to have IV’s the morning of a fight to rehydrate himself. Many times, Toney competed while weight drained due to the fluctuation of his weight outside of the ring. Other than his great condition in the Holyfield and Rydell Booker fights, Toney’s weight issues have followed him at heavyweight and probably didn’t allow him to be effective as he truly could be. Nevertheless, Toney’s timing, counterpunching, defense and overall ability allowed him to out maneuver most heavyweights and remain competitive at such a late stage in his career. Coming all the way from middleweight, the success he had at cruiserweight and heavyweight is amazing considering his age and the fact his number of professional fights was in the 70’s.

So after being away from the ring for over a year, Toney is now returning to his comfort zone to do what he knows best. Both Toney and Rahman are no longer in their prime, but their rematch should be intriguing as both are hungry and fighting for another title shot. However, in terms of Toney’s legacy, the result of this particular fight will make no significant difference. Toney’s legacy is sealed as he is already looked upon as one of the greatest pure boxers of his era. James has been labeled by many as a true throwback in accordance to his career record and willingness to face any opponent despite the odds. While it may be too late for the old pro to be looked upon as the heavyweight division’s savior, fans should just relish in the fact that we are getting to see the master ply his trade at least one more time. If he wins or loses in his upcoming fight, it’s perfectly okay. Just enjoy him while you still have the chance because when he is gone, odds are you’ll never see another like him. James Toney is boxing royalty. James Toney is a boxing icon. James Toney is truly the last of his kind.

BY: BROWN

Brownkn1@gmail.com