Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
Why won't Toney fight Klitschko?
By Ben Cohen: It was reported recently that heavyweight James Toney rejected an offer of $1.5million to fight WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko.
The Michigan born fighter who started his career at 160lbs, has steadily eaten his way up to 237lbs, beating up many world-class fighters along the way. He has shown absolutely no fear of any of the heavyweights, and has proved his worth at 200lb plus to all those who doubted him.
So why then, has Toney decided not to fight Klitschko in what would certainly be the biggest and most competitive heavyweight fight in years?
It is not as if 'Lights Out' has shown any reservations in fighting the big men of boxing. Officially making his mark in the heavyweight division with a 9th round TKO of veteran Evander Holyfield in 2003, Toney has since been involved with two Heavyweight championship bouts.
In 2005, Toney took on John Ruiz for the WBA belt, and clearly out boxed the ponderous 'Quiet Man', taking a unanimous decision. However, Toney was found to have banned substances in his system (the residuals of medication he was taking for an injury he claimed later), and was stripped of the title.
Toney came back with another good points victory over Dominick Guinn, and was then given another title shot against WBC champion Hasim Rahman in early 2006.
Weighing an enormous 237lbs, Toney boxed well, but was outworked by a fitter Rahman for many of the rounds in the fight. The bout was declared a draw, and Toney again, went home without the belt he has sought so desperately since turning professional in 1988.
Toney has again been offered a shot at the Heavyweight title, this time Klitschko. Uncharacteristically he has backed out saying the money was not good enough.
In the past, Toney has referred to Klitschko as "garbage", calling him a "bum with no chin" and saying he could beat him "with ease".
Klitschko has had an uneasy few years, getting knocked out twice, and looking far from stellar in several of his outings. However, he has recently bounced back with a huge victory over former rival Chris Byrd. The Ukranian bludgeoned Bryd in five extremely one sided rounds, displaying some excellent defensive work and phenomenal punching power.
Could it be that upon viewing the fight with Byrd, Toney does not fancy his chances against the 6ft 5 Klitschko?
Not so, says trainer Freddy Roach.
"Well I wouldn't fight Wladimir Klitschko for 1.5 million dollars", Roach told Secondsout flatly.
"That's not enough money to fight a guy like that for the world championship. For the right price he will fight the right guy. I know he is the mandatory for the winner of the Rahman fight, and maybe he'll get better paid for that," he said of Toney's proposed world title rematch.
And to be fair, this is a good point from camp Toney. Klitschko is probably the most dangerous heavyweight out there, and after all of Toney's training expenses, he would only walk away with a few hundred thousand. For the biggest fight of his life, that is not nearly enough motivation for a man of Toney's age and stature in the game.
And what of the weight? Coming in almost 80lbs over his former middleweight self, Toney has hardly looked serious about fighting someone of the skill and power of Klitschko. He may have been able to get away with it with the John Ruiz's and Hasim Rahman's of boxing, but Wladimir Klitshcko is definitely in a different league.
Will Roach put his foot down about Toney's weight if he was to fight Klitschko for the title?
"The thing is, I don't think I'm going to have to put my foot down", replied Roach quickly.
"I think that James realises that he needs to be in better shape, and if he doesn't realise then he never will. James is his own man, and I've had some talks with him, and he realises he needs to be in better shape. If that can't motivate him, then I don't think anything can. If that doesn't motivate James Toney then he's not going to be heavyweight champion of the world. He is 10-15 lbs away from that title, he knows that and he'll make the adjustments. I'm sure of it."
Having stated that he would come down to under 220lbs if he were to fight Klitschko, does Roach believe that Toney is actually physically capable of making decent weight?
"Its just like when he fought Jirov", he said referring to Toney's magnificent performance all the way down at 190lbs in 2003.
"He knows he can do it."
And if he can't, it would not be wise for him to get in the ring with someone as good as Klitschko.
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Toney is a quisling in my mind. He said Wlad was garbage and also that he would clean out the division out within 1 1/2 yo so why is he talking about money now against Wlad. If he is so sure as his mouth than he should just pick the title and THEN make the money ehen he has the title.
Mabye his mouth is bigger than his will to fight Wlad.....
I guss he is 280 ponds now.
http://www.secondsout.com/AcuCustom/...er_freebe1.jpg
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
"after all of Toney's training expenses"
haha... just get a slate out at Mcdonalds this time... he musn't know about the cheapest meals.
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
Quote:
Originally Posted by AdamGB
"after all of Toney's training expenses"
haha... just get a slate out at Mcdonalds this time... he musn't know about the cheapest meals.
haha CC, I was going to say what training expenses.
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
I don't know what the hell you all are talking about because Toney trains his @ss off. His training camps are known to be the most intense in all of boxing. Here's a photo of him training for Samuel Peter:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_ho.../lifestyle.jpg
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko?
Because in order for him to continue to over-eat...he will need his head!!!!
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
This Ben Cohen fella (presumably not the England rugby player) does not know what a 'quisling' is. As a writer, if he researches and understands the language as little as that, what the hell is the likelihood he will know anything about boxing?
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
Quote:
Originally Posted by smashcrusher
cc thats funny shit!
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
Quote:
Originally Posted by mucho testosterone
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschk
Because in order for him to continue to over-eat...he will need his head!!!!
FUNNY! :laugh:
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
Quote:
Originally Posted by X
This Ben Cohen fella (presumably not the England rugby player) does not know what a 'quisling' is. As a writer, if he researches and understands the language as little as that, what the hell is the likelihood he will know anything about boxing?
First of all, the author of the article didn't use 'quisling' but the poster did. And, secondly, why would one grammatical error invalidate someone's entire argument?
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
Quote:
Originally Posted by AdamGB
"after all of Toney's training expenses"
haha... just get a slate out at Mcdonalds this time... he musn't know about the cheapest meals.
Heh heh heh. Nice. :coolclick:
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
toney could beat wlad. he is a wicked boxer, clever. with a good chin and a good punch. my favourite fighter in the sport.
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lionheart Lacy
toney could beat wlad. he is a wicked boxer, clever. with a good chin and a good punch. my favourite fighter in the sport.
Toney couldn't beat Wlad to the dinner table...scratch that. ;D
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
If VK is a cake walk a garbage fighter then why not avoid risks by taking the belt from him? Why would it be about the Money?! I mean why would the Champion pay more than 1. million to have his belt taken away from him? I mean dont you have enough money? When then you have achieved your dream to be a heavyweight champ, then you are the one to dictate the purse! Thats how is should be. The contender should be lucky to get a shot not haggle about cash! How trashy. Dumbest thing ever. Now he is facing a real threat for Less cash, and if he loses he is out. If he lost against VK he would still be ok since VK is recognized as the best and is much bigger. What a screw up to become greedy -AND IT DOESNT LOOK LIKE HE IS STARVING HE HAS MILLIONS WHAT THE HELL IS MONEY? VS THE GLORY OF THE CHMP BELT (AND THEN MORE MONEY)!
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
Quote:
Originally Posted by jasoo24
Quote:
Originally Posted by X
This Ben Cohen fella (presumably not the England rugby player) does not know what a 'quisling' is. As a writer, if he researches and understands the language as little as that, what the hell is the likelihood he will know anything about boxing?
First of all, the author of the article didn't use 'quisling' but the poster did. And, secondly, why would one grammatical error invalidate someone's entire argument?
Because it was something I could criticise him for. ;D
Plus a grammatical error may be seen as displaying stupidity. IN any case it is something that is incorrect. It's like going to a dentist who has bad teeth - you're just not going to trust or believe what he says!!
Anyway, I was in a hypercritical mood, so what!
Re: Why won't Toney fight Klitschko? By Ben Cohen
Quote:
Originally Posted by wacko3205
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lionheart Lacy
toney could beat wlad. he is a wicked boxer, clever. with a good chin and a good punch. my favourite fighter in the sport.
Toney couldn't beat Wlad to the dinner table...scratch that. ;D
Wacko....thered be no dinner table coz toney would of already eaten it ;D
