Boxing Preview: Hasim Rahman – James Toney

Who Will Carry The Torch Passed From Vitali?

Three weeks from this Saturday we see the first world heavyweight title fight of 2006 when WBC champion Hasim Rahman defends his newly won title against the enigmatic James Toney. Its certainly an interesting match which hopefully will pave the way for exciting times in the division this year. Rahman, a former champion, is following in the footsteps of Ken Norton in 1978 and Lennox Lewis in 1993 by winning the title without defeating the champion. Can he make a successful first defence against Toney?

Toney, a pro since 1988, is a three weight world champion. In fact you could actually call him a four weight champion if you count the lightly regarded version of the 175 pound title he held.
I first clapped eyes on Toney watching him on an old UK satellite channel called Screensport back in 1991 when he campaigned at middleweight. Four months later I gave him no chance when he challenged dominant middleweight king Michael Nunn in May 1991. In that bout he knocked out Nunn in the eleventh after trailing on all three judge’s scorecards in one of the upsets of the year.

One of the first things I noticed about Toney was his “old style fighter attitude” both in and out of the ring. Just six weeks after his shock win he was back in the ring for a tough twelve round split decision win over future light heavyweight champion Reggie Johnson. Toney was certainly a busy middleweight champion but was also noticeably tight at the weight and moved up to the 168 pound division after drawing and defeating Mike McCallum in two excellent meetings.

Toney’s stay at 168 was a short one. After defeating Iran Barkley in early ’93 he was matched against Roy Jones, Jr., then approaching his peak, and dropped a wide twelve rounds decision. This is when Toney hit the slippery slope.

After a points defeat at light heavyweight against Montell Griffin, Toney between 1995 and 2002 was fighting opponents who, to be honest, were not fit to share a ring with such a talent. In fact, between these years, the only names of note on his record was Montell Griffin, whom he lost to again in 1996, old rival Mike McCallum, who he defeated again in 1997 and former title champions Adolfo Washington and Sione Asipelli, who he also defeated.

Finally, after defeating little known opponents, he was finally given an opportunity at a recognised belt when he was matched against 1996 Olympian and IBF Cruiserweight Champion Vassiliy Jirov in April 2003. In that fight the two time world champion turned the clock back looking the best he had for years in winning the title with a twelve round unanimous decision. The heavyweights beckoned.

He is since unbeaten in four bouts. Evander Holyfield was broken up in nine in October 2003, Rydell Booker was outpointed in 2004. John Ruiz was outpointed in 2005 only to be re-awarded the WBA title after Toney failed a drugs test and then Dominick Guinn was outscored last October. Now comes the bout with Rahman.

Rahman, a pro since 1994, is a mere baby if you compare experience with Toney. His big win undoubtedly was against Lennox Lewis in April 2001. After dropping the title in a rematch, he has fought nine times. He has lost to Holyfield and Ruiz but looked impressive with a four round win over Kali Meehan in November 2004. He then followed this win with a points victory over Monte Barrett in an easily forgettable fight.

So what will happen come fight night?

Without a doubt this is the first big heavyweight puncher that Toney will face. Rahman has real power in the right hand and his left jab can also be a valuable weapon.

I have a feeling however that Toney will know too much for Rahman. Rahman should be up for this one, having seen bouts with Klitschko fall through numerous times, but I tend to picture a bout similar to Rahman’s forgettable bout with John Ruiz where Hasim is continually frustrated.

If Toney gets into any sort of rhythm, I can’t see past him winning a wide unanimous decision in a bout taking place on the 15th anniversary of Mike Tyson’s first meeting with Razor Ruddock.

How times change!