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James Toney – 150% Better Shape = Unifying The Titles
THU January 4, BUSTER PARIS - Question: “James, do you have a different strategy going into this fight?”
Toney: “You know me. James is going to fight like James is going to fight. I do not have any strategy. I walk in and decide to do what I do. The only thing different is, like I said, I am in 150 percent better shape.”
150 percent better shape is THE biggest factor going into this fight (and beyond) for James Toney – his conditioning and weight have been the focal point of his career since his loss to Roy Jones Jr over a decade ago (11.14.1994) – and forget his weight – if he has improved his wind by even 5 percent then he will be an absolute unstoppable force – and - enough is enough already - at some point we need to recognize and respect the fact that fat or thin – James Toney is the best damn heavyweight out there.
Period.
No one can do what he does – he’s THE sharpest and craftiest fighter in today's Heavyweight division.
Question: “What are you doing in the ring that you were not able to do at a higher weight?”
Toney: “I am back to my (old) middleweight (self), so moving side to side and (throwing) combinations. I feel much stronger.”
Not only is James gifted in his lateral and side to side upper body movement, but he has the fastest hands of any Heavyweight – furthermore the subtlety and proficiency of his incredibly unique offence and his “old school” defense makes him the most interesting fighter to watch and the most dangerous fighter to face.
Here’s a simple example of one of Toney’s subtle yet dazzling skills - look at the way he closes the distance between himself and any opponent - it's so distinctive and you have to admit – it’s pretty funny - he gets in close and inside the exact same way that Homer Simpson sneaks up on a box of donuts – and they both sneakily go to work on their prey the same way and with the same results.
Couple this and all of his brilliant skills with the recent conditioning training from Billy Blanks – and it makes James Toney Samuel Peter’s worst nightmare.
Their first fight (9.02.2006) Toney got robbed – he won that fight, but for some bizarre reason 2 of the 3 the judges awarded it to Peter. The only ingredient James was missing to incontrovertibly walk away with the “W” was wind, was conditioning … so in order to win the rematch Toney knows and has that ‘something’ different …
“…the only thing different is, like I said, I am in 150 percent better shape.”
For the January 6th 2007 rematch between James “Light Out” Toney (W 69 - 43 ko's, L 5 & D 3) and Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter (W 27 - 22 ko's, & L 1) – the fight will go the full 12 rounds with James Toney performing like the James Toney of yesteryear and smartly winning via an unquestionable Unanimous Decision.
Period.
Question: “What are your long range plans?”
Toney: “I was going to fight two or three more times but since they stole one from me and ticked me off, [the Samuel Peter fight] I am planning to be around two or three more years. (But) the way Billy has me going; it may be five or six. I have been quiet to the media, but on Jan. 6 I will show the world.”
Yes friends – James “Lights Out” Toney WILL be the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. He will gobble up all the belts, unify all the titles, shock and stun the world by doing all this hovering around 40 years old - and then swagger off into the sunset like John Wayne with a cigar, boxing gloves and a fresh box of donuts.
Maybe then we’ll finally be able to admit it - fat or thin – James Toney is the best damn Heavyweight out there.
Period.
Question: “Any closing comments, James?”
Toney: “I just thank you all for tuning in today. Tune in Jan. 6. We are ready to go and excited. I look forward to going down there and giving everybody a great show. For everybody out there, I do not have a loss. I have not lost in 10 years and that loss did not even count. So tune in on Jan.6.”
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions
***A few weeks ago there was a conference call with James Toney and Samuel Peter – the full transcript can be viewed here:
http://www.talkingboxing.com/releases/2006/1213.html
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