He did lose his power by going backwards, but at the same time he is not big or strong enough to stand there and go blow for blow with him like he did in the Zab or Shane fight. His side to side movement is not that good for him to stay away from him. I guess He felt the only thing he can do was go backwards. He looked pretty good doing it, he would catch him a couple of times and get out he just don't have what it takes to beat Toni.