Sluggish Toney Edges Journeyman
Saturday May 26, 2007
Heavyweight James Toney recorded his second win in his last six outings ... but it wasn't pretty. Toney - eight pounds off his career high weight at 229 - was sluggish and sloppy in 'earning' a split decision over journeyman Danny Batchelder by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 94-96 (Batchelder). Here's all you need to know about the 'fight':
* The crowd of 4,269 in San Jose, California booed throughout.Wrong. Toney - who's angling for a completely undeserved payday against Wladimir Klitschko - should do everyone a favor and retire. Toney's next appearance on TV should be in a weight loss reality show like "Biggest Loser" ... not in a boxing ring.* Toney's own trainer, Freddie Roach, described Toney as "a little sluggish".
* Toney, more or less summarizing his commitment to his craft, said: "If it was a bigger fight, I would have been more motivated".
* Toney - and this is classic - added: "I ain't done. I just looked that way".
Comments
Toney can be something of a peccancy….when properly motivated he can be a force to wreckin wit…see yuri or holyfield……i believe if he’s given the chance to fight klitz he could possible pull it out he knows it’s his last hurrah and cus d’mato said an old champion realizing it is his last hurrah is the most dangerous opponent of all…….and at times i know toney has allowed his self to look bad to lure a big fight in then bomb you out…….i dont know if he is given the chance i say let him fight then fade off into the sunset
Batchelder is a blown up #175 who deserved nothing worse than a draw. He has to stop fighting above cruiser and Toney has to think about retirement.
And to rebuke the Klitcho comment, Toney has had plenty of chances. Holifield doesn’t say much for him since Holi was way past his prime and people were saying he shouldn’t have been fighting at the time. As I remember, people looked down on Toney who already had a name, further using Holi as a stepping stone. The only fight I care to remember Toney by was his Cruiserweight fight against Vassiliy Jirov where both men blew their loads for good. Toney would have no chance versus the now very selective Wlad. He only has a chance against someone coming straight at him and he’s shown he can’t handle that anymore with his pair of Peter loses. Wlad wins by KO in the 7th and that’s generous.
Wlad would seriously hurt the fat, old Toney. Vitali might end Toney’s life. If Toney is smart, he’ll stay far away from the Klitschko brothers.
Toney isn’t at the end, but he can see it from where he’s standing.
James Toney is mercurial; if he is up for a fight, he is agood as anyone, and he just great to watch. The guy is smart and is just so good not getting hit and boxing as well as any one today, IF HE IS IN THE MOOD. He has one of the best trainers ever in Roach, and I see Toney as not finishe if he wants to not be finished. Whether he can get that big fight depends on what he shows and he will need to generate some real fire to make up for looking so sloppy in too many fights.
One of the greatest warriors of the sport(Hollyfield) and that self-hyped slob(Toney) should never be mentioned in the same sentance, period!
Toney is not overhyped how can he be he started at middleweight and balloned up to a solid 200lbs + notice the +…but his skills are undeniable….his record is fabulous..Merqui Sosa w12,Michael Nunn tko11th,Reggie Johnson w12,michael mccallum d,w,doug Dewitt tko6th,Iran Barkley tko10th,Prince Charles Williams KO12th, Roy Jones LD12th,Anthony Hembrick ko5th,Montell Griffin L,L,Steve Little,Vasily Jirov ud12,Evander Holyfield tko9th, he has faced some of the best out there and never fessed up….while the klit brothers are tall and dangerous there European style doesnt make for a good fight against a properly motivated Toney please believe and with his slip counter punching style it very dangerous because he possesses good thudding power it might not be 1 punch ko but it’s a break you down long lasting shot….and i can see him actually winning..if and that’s IF he’s motivated and properly trained…..he beat top prospects in Guinn and Booker…younger faster and stronger….