{"id":6274,"date":"2010-12-23T08:34:50","date_gmt":"2010-12-23T13:34:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=6274"},"modified":"2010-12-24T12:50:52","modified_gmt":"2010-12-24T17:50:52","slug":"james-%e2%80%9clights-out%e2%80%9d-toney-a-message-to-boxing-and-mma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=6274","title":{"rendered":"James \u201cLights Out\u201d Toney: A Message to Boxing and MMA"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Exclusive interview by Marc Anthony<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI want the Klitschko sisters and I want David Gay!\u201d \u2013James \u201cLights Out\u201d Toney<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

James \u201cLights Out\u201d Toney, known as a \u201cthrowback fighter,\u201d first captured the IBF Middleweight Championship from heavy favorite Michael Nunn in a come from behind knockout victory on May 10, 1991. He would hold it through February of 1993 with an outstanding six defenses during that time span. In 1993, he defeated Iran Barkley to capture the IBF Super Middleweight Championship and defended the belt three times, losing eventually to Roy Jones, JR. <\/p>\n

In 2003, he captured the IBF Cruiserweight title from Vassiliy Jirov, and then moved up to heavyweight, defeating Evander Holyfield by stoppage in one of his biggest wins. James was also named The Ring \u201cFighter of the Year\u201d on two separate occasions, once in1991 and also in 2003. Also, in those two years, he was named Boxing Writers Association of America \u201cFighter of the Year.\u201d In 2003, he earned The Ring \u201cComeback Fighter of the Year\u201d award.<\/p>\n

Toney would defeat John Ruiz for the WBA Heavyweight title in 2005, only to have the decision changed to a no contest when he tested positive for steroids, and has recently made quite a stir in the world of Mixed Martial Arts, debuting on a UFC PPV card, losing to Randy Couture.<\/p>\n

Freddie Roach has been quoted in a March 2010 article as saying of all the fighters he has trained, \u201cJames Toney has the most physical talent.\u201d Now, Toney is getting ready to defend his heavyweight title, the IBA Title, on February 24th at San Manuel Casino in California.<\/p>\n

MA: Any new information on your Jan. 27th boxing match\u2026opponent or venue location?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Actually they moved it to February the 24th, its going be at San Manuel Casino. They haven\u2019t told me yet on the opponent but I don\u2019t care. I want somebody in the top 10\u2026 top 5<\/p>\n

MA: How much of your trash talking is just that?\u00a0 Many comments you have made really come across in a Muhammad Ali like vein. Similar to when Ali taunted Joe Frazier which were very hurtful to Joe as a person.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trash talk is if someone is talking to me and if they feel they get hurt\u2026it is what it is. I have been doing it for twenty-five years. If you don\u2019t like the trash talk, then don\u2019t say nothing too. I mean what I say! I have Forty four knockouts to prove it\u2026look at my record, okay. All you will see: Killer!<\/p>\n

Bottom line, I\u2019ll tell you that. Boxing is the number one sport in the world. I love it… Number one! You know, I\u2019ve done football. I am appreciative of it. I love the boxing fans… boxing fans are great.<\/p>\n

You know\u2026it\u2019s time for everybody to get down to old school boxing. I am letting everyone out there know that I am the only heavyweight champion out there, not Klitschko, he\u2019s just over there in Europe and not contesting belts. Not \u201cDavid Gay,\u201d he fights left-overs. Everybody is tired of it. The US TV\u2026 um\u2026 people want to see…they want to see great fights. And that\u2019s the reason why there is a lot of fans that stray to MMA because they put on great fights as well. I am trying to change that in the heavyweight division.<\/p>\n

MA: What makes you really think you have any chance against the Klitschko Brothers<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

Whatcha mean? I am the greatest fighter out there. I am a pure fighter! Why do you think they won\u2019t fight me? The Klitschkos don\u2019t like pressure. Do you know what happens when you put the pressure on?<\/p>\n

If you put pressure on them fighters, they will bust. That\u2019s exactly how I will fight the Klitschkos. You put pressure on me, I am knocking you out, it\u2019s over with me. You all make them better than they are. They\u2019re actually bad for the game.<\/p>\n

MA: Since Roy Jones, JR., faced Bernard Hopkins 17 years after their first match and Bernard got his revenge, would you like the same against Roy? How do you see the fight turning out?<\/strong><\/p>\n

How do you see it turning out?<\/p>\n

MA: I don\u2019t know\u2026you are the expert!<\/strong><\/p>\n

(Laughter) Roy Jones is Roy Jones. He beat me hands down, fair and square nineteen years ago. I had to make weight and all. Now, we\u2019re on an even playing field! I am going to knock\u2019em out. Hey, that\u2019s just point blank. You know I want to fight the best! I want the Klitschko sisters and I want David Gay. I want Povetkin\u2026it doesn\u2019t matter. I\u2019ll fight anybody, anytime, anywhere\u2026that\u2019s my motto. It\u2019s always been that way\u2026 you know what I am saying\u2026 it is what it is. I am ready to fight.<\/p>\n

MA: Let’s clear the record for the RSR readers. What really happened with the steroid allegation that cost you the WBA Heavyweight title?\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

The story? There is no story! If there was a story\u2026 it would be on the national news and I would be in investigation right now! I was coming off an injury from my left bicep. It was off the bone in a fight in September. So, in December, they gave me a steroid and had put everything back together, instead of me waiting like how I should\u2019ve waited. Once again the Klitschkos pulled out on that date. I decided why wait, so I decided to fight John Ruiz. There is only one heavyweight champion\u2026I want everybody to know that.<\/p>\n

MA: You said you will be returning to MMA in 2011, who will be your trainers?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oh yeah, I am going do both! My trainer is still Trevor Sherman\u2026 I love that dude. When I fought, that\u2019s my fault. I blame it on me, whatever happens. I am a man\u2026 that\u2019s what I do!<\/p>\n

MA: Have you continued your MMA training since August?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am doing both. I am the first two sport athlete, the real sport! Not baseball, not football. I like football and baseball\u2026they are alright. I am from two rugged sports! You ever seen a man do two sports like I have? You\u2019ve never seen that before?<\/p>\n

MA: Are there talks with Strikeforce? I heard there coming back to CBS. <\/strong><\/p>\n

I have no idea. My agent and my pops\u2026they told me to train for the heavyweight title. So, we will see what we get.<\/p>\n

MA: What advice would you give Floyd Mayweather, JR.?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I heard what happened. He has to stay out of sight, out of mind, right now. I can\u2019t walk in his shoes. I wish him well. Hey, stay out of sight, stay out of mind cause you in Vegas.<\/p>\n

MA: Final Words?<\/strong><\/p>\n

To all the fans out there in the boxing world, \u201cLights Out\u201d is back in 2011 defending the heavyweight championship and I hope we can unify the title. To the Klitschko sisters and David Gay: We going get together\u2026you know what I am saying. All Day JT!<\/p>\n

James Toney
\nNickname: \u201cLights Out\u201d
\nDivision: Heavyweight
\nProfessional Record: 72- 6-3, 44 KO’s
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

1988
\n10-26 — Stephen Lee, Mt. Clemens, MI, TKO 2
\n12-06 — Ronnie Yoe, Memphis, TN, KO 1<\/p>\n

1989
\n01-10 — Carl Penn, Memphis, TN, KO 1
\n01-17 — Sammy Jenkins, Sterling Heights, MI, TKO 4
\n02-16 — James Fernandez, Sterling Heights, MI, W 4
\n05-02 — Arthur Willis, Memphis, TN, W 4
\n06-06 — Steve Chaney, Memphis, TN, KO 1
\n07-20 — Mark Stephens, Detroit, MI, TKO 2
\n09-07 — Lemark Davis, Auburn Hills, MI, W 6
\n09-21 — Joe Summers, Atlantic City, NJ, TKO 2
\n10-12 — Ricardo Simpson, Auburn Hills, MI, KO 2
\n10-26 — Robert Clinton, Atlantic City, NJ, KO 1
\n11-13 — Ron Amundsen, Milwaukee, WI, W 10
\n11-29 — Joe Johnson, Auburn Hills, MI, KO 4<\/p>\n

1990
\n01-20 — Danny Thomas, Auburn Hills, MI, W 8
\n03-01 — Philip Morefield, Auburn Hills, MI, KO 1
\n04-05 — Toby Tyler, Auburn Hills, MI, TKO 4
\n04-27 — Jose Luis Esteven, Atlantic City, NJ, TKO 5
\n05-23 — Horacio Rene Brandan, Auburn Hills, MI, KO 2
\n06-27 — Ricardo Bryant, Dearborn, MI, TKO 4
\n07-26 — Sanderline Williams, Dearborn, MI, D 10
\n08-24 — Kevin Brazier, Dearborn, MI, TKO 2
\n10-16 — Sanderline Williams, Tampa, FL, W 10
\n12-10 — Jose Carlos Da Silva, Dearborn, MI, TKO 5<\/p>\n

1991
\n01-13 — Merqui Sosa, Atlantic City, NJ, W 12
\n03-31 — Alberto Gonzalez, Las Vegas, NV, TKO 6
\n05-10 — Michael Nunn, Davenport, IA, TKO 11
\nWins IBF Middleweight Title
\n06-29 — Reggie Johnson, Las Vegas, NV, W 12
\n(Retains IBF Middleweight Title)
\n10-12 — Francesco Dell’Aquila, Monte Carlo, Monaco, TKO 4
\n(Retains IBF Middleweight Title)
\n12-13 — Mike McCallum, Atlantic City, NJ, D 12
\n(Retains IBF Middleweight Title)<\/p>\n

1992
\n02-08 — Dave Tiberi, Atlantic City, NJ, W 12
\n(Retains IBF Middleweight Title)
\n04-11 — Glenn Wolfe, Las Vegas, NV, W 12
\n(Retains IBF Middleweight Title)
\n05-26 — Ricky Stackhouse, Auburn Hills, MI, TKO 3
\n08-29 — Mike McCallum, Reno, NV, W 12
\n(Retains IBF Middleweight Title)
\n12-05 — Doug DeWitt, Atlantic City, NJ, TKO 6<\/p>\n

1993
\n02-13 — Iran Barkley, Las Vegas, NV, TKO 10
\n(Wins IBF Super Middleweight Title)
\n03-23 — Govoner Chavers, Auburn Hills, MI, TKO 9
\n04-17 — Ricky Thomas, Bushkill, PA, TKO 10
\n06-06 — Glenn Thomas, Las Vegas, NV, W 10
\n07-29 — Danny Garcia, Bushkill, PA, TKO 6
\n08-24 — Larry Prather, Auburn Hills, MI, W 10
\n10-29 — Tony Thornton, Tulsa, OK, W 12
\n(Retains IBF Super Middleweight Title)<\/p>\n

1994
\n01-16 — Anthony Hembrick, Bushkill, PA, TKO 7
\n03-05 — Tim Littles, Los Angeles, CA, TKO 4
\n(Retains IBF Super Middleweight Title)
\n05-18 — Vinson Durham, Rosemont, IL, W 10
\n07-29 — Prince Charles Williams, Las Vegas, NV, KO 12
\n(Retains IBF Super Middleweight Title)
\n11-18 — Roy Jones, Las Vegas, NV, L 12
\n(Loses IBF Super Middleweight Title)<\/p>\n

1995
\n02-18 — Montell Griffin, Las Vegas, NV, L 12
\n03-20 — Karl Willis, Auburn Hills, MI, TKO 8
\n04-30 — Anthony Hembrick, Las Vegas, NV, TKO 5
\n06-18 — Freddie Delgado, New Orleans, LA, TKO 5
\n09-09 — Ernest Mateen, Las Vegas, NV, W DQ 5
\n12-08 — Greg Everett, Ledyard, CT, KO 2<\/p>\n

1996
\n03-01 — Richard Mason, Indio, CA, W 10
\n05-14 — Earl Butler, Ledyard, CT, TKO 4
\n07-02 — Charles Oliver, St. Charles, MO, W 10
\n08-09 — Duran Williams, Bay St. Louis, MS, TKO 9
\n12-06 — Montell Griffin, Reno, NV, L 12<\/p>\n

1997
\n02-22 — Mike McCallum, Uncasville, CT, W 12
\n05-14 — Drake Thadzi, Ledyard, CT, L 12
\n06-14 — Steve Little, Biloxi, MS, W 12<\/p>\n

1999
\n03-07 — Terry Porter, Phoenix, AZ, TKO 8
\n07-30 — Adolpho Washington, Ledyard, CT, TKO 10
\n10-08 — Ramon Garbey, Taunton, MA, W 10<\/p>\n

2000
\n01-21 — Terry McGroom, Chicago, IL, W 10
\n11-03 — Courtney Butler, Verona, NY, KO 3<\/p>\n

2001
\n03-29 — Saul Montana, Detroit, MI, TKO 2
\n07-20 — Wesley Martin, Compton, CA, TKO 3<\/p>\n

2002
\n03-22 — Sione Asipeli, Phoenix, AZ, W 10
\n05-31 — Michael Rush, Lincoln City, OR, TKO 10
\n08-18 — Jason Robinson, Temecula, CA, KO 7<\/p>\n

2003
\n04-26 — Vassiliy Jirov, Ledyard, CT, W 12
\n(Wins IBF Cruiserweight Title)
\n10-04 — Evander Holyfield, Las Vegas, NV, TKO 9<\/p>\n

2004
\n09-23 — Rydell Booker, Temecula, CA, W 12<\/p>\n

2005
\n04-30 — John Ruiz, New York, NY, NC 12
\n(For WBA Heavyweight Title)
\n(Fight was originally declared a unanimous decision win for Toney but was subsequently changed to a No Contest after Toney tested positive for a banned substance.)
\n10-01 — Dominick Guinn, Reno, NV, W 12<\/p>\n

2006
\n03-18 — Hasim Rahman, Atlantic City, NJ, D 12
\n(For WBC Heavyweight Title)
\n09-02 — Samuel Peter, Los Angeles, CA, L 12<\/p>\n

2007
\n01-06 — Samuel Peter, Hollywood, FL, L 12
\n05-24 — Danny Batchelder, San Jose, CA, W 10<\/p>\n

2008
\n07-16 — Hasim Rahman, Temecula, CA, NC 3
\n12-13 — Fres Oquendo, Cabazon, CA, W 12<\/p>\n

2009
\n09-12 — Matthew Greer, Temecula, CA, TKO 2<\/p>\n

2010
\n08-28 — Randy Couture, Boston, MA, TKO by 1 [MMA match]<\/p>\n

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Exclusive interview by Marc Anthony \u201cI want the Klitschko sisters and I want David Gay!\u201d \u2013James \u201cLights Out\u201d Toney James \u201cLights Out\u201d Toney, known as a \u201cthrowback fighter,\u201d first captured the IBF Middleweight Championship from heavy favorite Michael Nunn in a come from behind knockout victory on May 10, 1991. He would hold it through […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[105,152,370],"class_list":["post-6274","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-boxing-news","tag-boxing","tag-champion","tag-james-toney"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6274","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6274"}],"version-history":[{"count":-2,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6274\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}