Quote Originally Posted by ACEA
wouldn't you feel a bit pissed off if you had beat yourself up in the gym for a few months only for the other guy to show up with a beer gut and have sacrificed S*** coming into the fight and still whip your a**. I just feel JT could show some respect to his opponents and at least look like he is taking the fight seriously. Many guys out there would sell their soul to have as much ability as JT but i bet they would never show up in the condition he does.
But you have to remember that James did put himself through hell, early in his career he trained like a maniac to make middle, super middle, basically anything below cruiser he had to really work at... Not to mention the fact that he was sparring all the big dogs at Kronk as a very young fighter.. Id say he's earned the right to at least be in what condition he chooses, and if his opponent isn't able to use that against him enough to win, tough luck.. It's not all natural ability, not even close.... Toney had excellent teachers and has probably sparred as many rounds, or hell fought as many pro rounds as almost any fighter on the planet... He just hasn't done proper roadwork etc. in recent years. That doesn't mean he didn't train his ass off in learning to fight as he can. Would i feel pissed off if I were Sam Peter and I trained my ass off to fight a guy 15 years older than me who started his pro career 80 pounds lighter, showed up looking like a tub of lard and then proceeded to give me a boxing lesson?? Hell yes... But as a fan, do I feel it's disrespectful for Toney to have done so Not even close, that just makes me appreciate his abilities a lot more. I will agree the guy is an asshole, but as a fighter he was a very rare talent.