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.

[Jody Lane]

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...

He was cruiserweight champion before after beating Jirov. But I think he'd have to lose more than 45 pounds. He walks around now at about 250. I really don't think it would be possible at his age to get to 185. He's just trying to drum up word of mouth as his career winds down. Probably next he'll want a rematch with Jones.

[JT Rock]

Its crazy that we are dogging a 1st ballot hall of famer who is a natural 168 pounder who fighting 75 pounds over that but has made a decent accounting of himself the past 5 years

[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

[Kel]

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!

Yep

[jon09]

You know I love Toney but I think he is getting crazier by the minute. There is no way he can make 185 not even 195 he has gotten lazier with age. This fight was talked about over 5 years ago and it even graced the cover of Ring magazine but it never happened. He should retire or continue calling out the big names in the heavyweight division til someone bites for 1 last payday.

[Wayne]

If they signed the fight today it wouldn't come off until the end of the year if Toney were serious. He's got so much weight to lose.