Boxing Perspective: Ready For Round 13

Since the announcement of the Peter-Toney rematch, I’ve spoken to a few people who feel the fight shouldn’t happen either because Toney should retire or because he’s on the verge of a critical injury or because of further rumor of corruption in boxing. I’m glad to see the rematch is going to happen despite the first fight not being a title bout. Granted, my previous article would seem like I was advocating Toney to retire, but I didn’t mean right now.

The first fight ended in a controversial decision. We want more. Is there anything wrong with that?

Maybe I need my head examined. I recall plenty rematches that weren’t title bouts.

Vargas-Mosley II had no belts on the line. But there was enough controversy behind the scenes to garner this rematch despite Shane clearly being the winner the first time.

Bowe-Holyfield III had no belts on the line. But their first two were so good can you tell me you didn’t want to see it?

Corrales-Castillo II had no belts on the line. Granted there should have been, but people wanted a repeat to 2005’s fight of the year so bad they were willing to forgive Castillo being over the weight limit.

Gatti-Ward II and III had no belts on the line. But 2002’s fight of the year was so good (also no title up for grabs) that everyone looked forward to the two sequels.

Rematches in title bouts are for the ex champ to have a chance to get his belt back. Like Lewis-Rahman II, Tyson-Holyfield II, Bowe-Holyfield II, etc. If anything, I’d say a rematch in a non-title bout is more pure, because what is on the line is reputation only. This will be Peter’s opportunity to prove decidedly that he won the first bout. This will be Toney’s opportunity to show the judges got it wrong the first time.

How is ordering a rematch to a hotly disputed bout corrupt? If anything, this is giving fans what they are asking for as opposed to some guy not even in the rankings fighting the champ for the belt (like Lamon Brewster fighting his sparring partner).

I’d be against this fight if Toney had the clout of an Oscar De La Hoya and traded on his reputation to get a rematch. I’d be against this fight if Toney had been broken like Meldrick Taylor and a rematch had been ordered. I’d be against a rematch if Peter had simply dominated the fight, but he didn’t. None of these things happened.

Toney probably has the least amount of clout in boxing save for what he scrounges up with his fists and Peter absolutely didn’t dominate the fight. It’s not domination when you eat shot after shot after shot and land a small handful of blows on your opponent clean.

Let’s enjoy. The first fight was a lot better than anyone was expecting. I imagine a determined Toney will be ready, in better shape than the last time and perhaps a little more power (even though for Toney he was in good shape). And Peter should realize that his extra weight did nothing to help him win and he will be ready, with more combinations and a more maneuverable frame. I know I’m ready.