Toney: I'll KO Hopkins

[Phil]

Toney: I’ll KO Hopkins!

By Francisco Salazar
Heavyweight contender James Toney is never at a loss of words. However, his latest proclamation would make even the most hardened beat writers in boxing scratching their heads. “I know that my promoter (Dan Goossen) is seeking the best fights for me in the heavyweight division. However, I am willing to drop down to 185 pounds and fight Bernard Hopkins. They say that he is a legend. I will prove that I am the living legend. He is a good fighter, but I will knock him out.” Toney won a close twelve round split-decision over Fres Oquendo in December at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Morongo. Hopkins, who has never weighed more than 174 pounds during his 20 year professional career, soundly defeated Kelly Pavlik by unanimous decision in October.
February 5th, 2009

Fightnews.com

[rjj tszyu]

I doubt Toney could make 185 but if he could without being too drained it would be interesting because they are both quite defensive fighters but this could make both men feel a bit more adventurous.

At the end of the day this should have happened years ago when Jones kicked both their asses!

[Fenster]

Hows Toney gonna make 185?

I'd like to see this fight just to hear the shit-talk beforehand.

[No Contest]

That means he has to lose 45 additional pounds. That would be a miracle. He would look like Chris Byrd I bet trying to come back down....you would think he would try cruiserweight first...

[rjj tszyu]

That means he has to lose 45 additional pounds. That would be a miracle. He would look like Chris Byrd I bet trying to come back down....you would think he would try cruiserweight first...

Yeah Just look how bad Jones looked when he dropped back from heavy too. The weight loss should be left to young men and even then they need to be very careful what they are doing!

[Gandalf]

Toney is done.

There I actually said it. I had hoped Toney would try and get active following the Oquendo showing and try and get back in the mix at HW and fast. He obviously has no desire for it. What on earth happened to fighting Thompson or even giving Oquendo a rematch if there was nothing else on?

But to talk about going down to 185 pounds at 40 to fight Hopkins is just crazy talk. Toney can't even get down to 225 pounds despite repeated promises that he would "be in shape this time". Toney and 185 pounds is nuts at this late stage.

Why not just get a fight at HW and just get into relatively decent shape for that for once? Makes me think Toney is all but done with nowhere to go.

[SweetPea]

This is just Toney running his mouth. I doubt he could even get down to 215, let alone 185.

[C-Lo]

Hows Toney gonna make 185?

I'd like to see this fight just to hear the shit-talk beforehand.

The pre-fight banter would be "LEGEN...wait for it, hope you're not lactose intoletrant cause the second part of that word is...DARY!"

If Toney somehow found a way to make 185 the fight would be cancelled because Toney would pass out during the weigh in...

[SweetPea]

Also, as bad as Toney looked against Oquendo, I'd pick Hopkins to beat him even if the fight were at heavyweight and Toney weighed 225 or 230.

[JT Rock]

agreed this fight is 10 years late, I always felt Toney could handle Hopkins just fine.... I doubt James could lose the weight, but if he did it wouldnt be as bad as Byrd or Jones, since he is more fat than muscle and his style isint really based off athleticism or unreal reflexes.

Shame it wont happen

[Wayne]

I'd pick Toney if he could get down to that weight for the simple fact that he's used to being bigger and he'd finally have enough crack in his punches to put a dent in somebody. But then again, Tarver had pretty much the same idea.

I have no doubt that if Toney really signed for the fight that he could make the weight. It's a matter of will with him and I don't think he would sign if he didn't have the ability to stay away from the refrigerator. That being said, Toney looks like he's thinking about a cheese burger at the end of every fight so I doubt he'll fight as anything else other than HW.

[holmcall]

The only thing he will KO is the nearest Chinese Buffet. He has become a delusional slob who needs to STFU.

[Pugilistic]

Hopkins would easily beat Toney at this stage.

Toney is past it.

There is no way Toney can make 185 anyway.

[JazMerkin]

I doubt Toney could make 185 but if he could without being too drained it would be interesting because they are both quite defensive fighters but this could make both men feel a bit more adventurous.

At the end of the day this should have happened years ago when Jones kicked both their asses!

I think its goin a bit far to say Jones kicked Hopkins ass, it was one of the least eventful fights in history, yeah I think Jones won it but it was not as dominating a performance as against Toney.

Can't see Toney making the weight & even if he did I think he would be horribly weight-drained a la ODLH-Pacquiao, & B-Hop would end up using his speed to beat him down. Toney should really try & use his name to get a title shot at Valuev

[C-Lo]

I'd pick Toney if he could get down to that weight for the simple fact that he's used to being bigger and he'd finally have enough crack in his punches to put a dent in somebody. But then again, Tarver had pretty much the same idea.

I have no doubt that if Toney really signed for the fight that he could make the weight. It's a matter of will with him and I don't think he would sign if he didn't have the ability to stay away from the refrigerator. That being said, Toney looks like he's thinking about a cheese burger at the end of every fight so I doubt he'll fight as anything else other than HW.

Even if the fight was signed, I think Toney has ZERO will power to drop weight! He loves food too much and I'm not saying that in a joking manner. I doubt he has the discipline regardless of what was offerred to him to make the fight...

The only thing he will KO is the nearest Chinese Buffet. He has become a delusional slob who needs to STFU.

OH SNAP! That was funny!