Exclusive Interview: Norman “Stoney” Stone.

“Don better step up to the plate after this fight because we want nothing but big fights. Johnny will beat both Klitchskos on the same night. No doubt about that. We better start getting treated the way we deserve from him because we’ve earned it.”–Norman “Stoney” Stone.

“Just no excuses, Toney! Be ready!” was the message Norman “Stoney” Stone had for James “Lights Out” Toney, who fights his charge, John Ruiz, on May 30, 2005, for the WBA heavyweight strap televised on HBO. The fiery trainer/manager was gracious enough to speak to this writer about Ruiz’s upcoming fight, life, boxing, promoters, and his future plans. “I took a kid

that no one liked. I took a guy that no one wanted and made him into a world champion. Tell me who else out there has been with a fighter since his first amateur fight until the heavyweight championship. Everybody doubted us and we proved them wrong. That’s my legacy and I’m proud of it.” Ruiz is a fighter whose style is not appealing to the eye, but is effective as he has beat top heavyweight contenders like Andrew Golota, Kirk Johnson, Fres Oquendo and Hasim Rahman. But that style has lead to a lot of backlash from the boxing public. When asked about what his feelings are towards the media, who often negatively criticize Ruiz and his style, an angered “Stoney” responded: “Johnny is like a son to me, we’ve been together since he was sixteen, and it really pisses me off that people dog him and talk shit about him. This guy has beaten every fighter out there and he is still not given respect. Like in the Golota fight, Johnny came off the floor to dominate the last nine rounds. Had Toney or Holyfield done that, they would be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but since it was Johnny, no one reported shit! You know how it is in boxing. They’ve been saying we’re no good for years and now, since we’ve beat all the top guys, they have to say we can’t fight because they know if they give us credit, they’ll look stupid. It’s really unprofessional for media guys out there saying that they hope Johnny gets beat so that he won’t have to be seen anymore. What kind of shit is that to say about someone? We never get a fair shake from anyone and we are never given a chance. The difference between Vitali and Johnny is that Klitschko got to fight Lennox and we never did. We were part of one of Lewis’ training camp so he knew. Johnny beat his ass every time in sparring and if Lennox says any different, he’s a liar! We also always get insulted by Merchant (Larry Merchant from HBO), but I’d love for Johnny to give him a left hook to the chin to see what he (Merchant) thinks of him after that! Toney is going to be the guy that is going to get punished for every wrong we’ve been done.”

And in regards to James Toney as a fighter and a person, “Stoney” had this to say: “James was a great middleweight and super middleweight. As a heavyweight, who has he fought? Holyfield? Please! Holyfield was done as a fighter when he fought James. We beat him when he was still a good fighter, but, of course, no one cares about that or gave Johnny any credit. He (Toney) is garbage! He called Johnny a dumb Puerto Rican. I talk a lot of trash, but I never insult people’s ethnicity. And that shit about my mother! Johnny is a quiet guy that just takes all that garbage in, and come fight night, James is going to get his. I’m going to love the beating he is going to get. John will stop him within ten rounds. Don King signed Toney and gave him a million bucks. Why? I don’t get it! King is going to have to eat the million because Johnny is going to ruin Toney.”

And in regards to Don King and how he has promoted Ruiz: “Don better step up to the plate after this fight because we want nothing but big fights. Johnny will beat both Klitchskos on the same night. No doubt about that. We better start getting treated the way we deserve from him because we’ve earned it.”

“Stoney” sees himself being in the fight game for a couple more years and looks forward to retiring to his non-profit boxing gym where he takes great pleasure in helping young kids out. “I love working with kids and helping them stay away from drugs and alcohol. I go to schools and talk to them about life and the importance of doing good things. I love to work with amateur boxing, because you don’t have the business bullshit side of boxing. It’s all about the kids and I love that.” Who knew “Stoney” had a gentle side to him?

So, next time you see Norman Stone going off in a press conference, or at ringside, just remember that there is more to the man than meets the eye. Say what you will about him, but “Stoney” is right. When I first saw him, I never thought that John Ruiz would be a world champion, but he proved me wrong, and Norman Stone has had a lot to do with that.

Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com