James Toney

At 56 years old, James Toney has this physical status:

Amateur career

Toney had a brief but fruitful amateur career, compiling a record of 33 victories (32 KOs) and 2 losses. Toney lost by a technical foulout in the second round of his first professional fight on October 26, 1988. Toney was discovered and trained by Gregory Owens, who also served as his mentor through the mid-19ties, as a youth. Either Gregory or his son gave him "Lights Out" as his moniker. Johnny "Ace" Smith, Toney's boss, was killed in his 7th pro fight. Jackie Kallen was eventually hired as his manager. Bill Miller, the legendary Detroit-based trainer, was also employed by Toney. Miller, a former boxer who served in Detroit's illustrious Kronk Gym and assisted Hall-of-fame trainer Emanuel Steward at times, is credited with in inventing Toney's legendary "old school" or "throwback" style of fighting.

Professional career

In May 1991, Toney beat Michael Nunn in 11 rounds in the IBF and lineal middleweight titles by knocking out Michael Nunn in eleven rounds. Toney, who began as a 20-to-1 underdog, was unable to determine the three judges' scorecards, but in the 11th round, he had a left hook that put Nunn on the canvas, resulting in a stoppage victory. In addition, Toney was given the Ring Magazine Fighter Of The Year award for his win. Toney maintained a regular fighting schedule over the next 18 months at middleweight before losing the division, where he made several fruitful yet contested defenses. Toney's split decision victory over Dave Tiberi in a contest that many analysts believe Toney lost. The decision was so controversial that it prompted United States Senator William Roth of Delaware to request an inquiry into alleged misconduct in the sport. In 1996, Toney won a split decision championship against Reggie Johnson in June 1991 and then again against McCallum in December 1991, this time by a majority decision. Toney's last fight as a middleweight will be in McCallum.

Toney defeated Iran Barkley for the IBF super middleweight title on February 13, 1993. Barkley's boss, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, suspended the match after a dominating showing by Toney, due to severe swelling in both eyes.

Toney won five fights in 1993, then defeated Tony "The Punching Postman" Thornton in his 1st title defense in October by a landslide points victory. Toney won by a 4th-round KO in his second defense. Toney had a bad cut that caused the referee and ringside doctor to intervene before round 4, giving him one more round to try to end the game. Prince Charles Williams, the reigning IBF Light Heavyweight champion, was his next defense. Despite being suspended after the bell in one round and having his left eye completely shut down, Toney knocked Williams out in the 12th and final round. With an unbeaten 1988 Olympic silver medalist Roy Jones Jr., this victory opened the way for his fight.

Jones won a landslide victory over Toney, an upset at the time, but Toney was briefly flooring Toney in the 3rd round for the first time. Jones lured Toney in with one of his "cockfighting" feints, and Toney mocked Jones, Toney was entangled with a leaping left hook. Toney blamed losing his house and his beloved unbeaten record after the brawl. It was his last fight at the gym.

In February 1995, he lost to Montell Griffin as a light heavyweight. After winning a string of fights at light heavyweight, cruiserweight, and even heavyweight, he faced Montell Griffin in December 1996, losing a close match. In February 1997, he defeated old foe Mike McCallum, but he lost to Drake Thadzi in his next fight.

Toney returned to the ring in 1999 after taking some time off from the ring, seemingly intent on reclaiming his position as a top fighter. Adolpho Washington, Steve Little, Ramón Garbey, Saul Montana, Sione Asipeli, Courtney Butler, and Michael Rush all defeated former title holders and title challengers Adolpho Washington, Steve Little, Ramón Garbey, Ramón Garbey, Saul Montana, Sione Asipeli, Courtney Butler, and Michael Rush. Toney defeated Jason Robinson in an IBF Cruiserweight title elimination match in August 2002. This puts Toney and the champion, Vassiliy Jirov, into combat. The combat took place on April 26, 2003, following a postponement. Toney was defeated in the 12th and final round, with the scores remaining and the tie in play. The Kazakh went from the canvas to the distance, but Toney was given the judges' verdict and became a three-weight World Champion.

He was named fighter of the year and alumn of the year for Toney's success. According to The Ring magazine, the fight itself was dubbed "Fight Of The Year." Toney went from heavyweight to heavyweight, where he campaigned for the next seven years.

Toney returned to Cruiserweight on November 4, 2011, the lowest he had been since 2003 against Russian singer Denis Lebedev in Russia for the interim WBA World cruiserweight title. After suffering with his left knee injury during round two, Toney was never competitive in the tournament, and the judges all had a field day, 120-108. Toney needed surgery to repair his knees a week after the brawl.

He said he would be the world's best heavyweight champion as early as Toney's middleweight years. Toney's entry into the heavyweight division came after his win over veteran heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield on October 4, 2003. Toney pulled apart Holyfield with shots to the body and head before being disqualified in the 9th round after a tumultuous first round. Following the fight, Toney said he was "undestructable," that he "got milk babies" and that he did not want any "poor questions" from announcer Jim Gray.

Toney vs. Rydell Booker on September 23, 2004. Despite the fact that Toney suffered his left arm, he was still able to beat the clearly outmatched Booker, receiving a 12-round unanimous decision in the fringe IBA heavyweight championship.

In a 12-round match for the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight Championship, he defeated John Ruiz by a unanimous decision on April 30, 2005. However, Toney failed his post-fight drug test, finding stanozolol, the anabolic steroid. The official result of the match was changed to a "no contest," deducting Toney's win from his career record and prohibiting him from boxing for 90 days. Ruiz has been promoted as the WBA champion and Toney has been banned from competing in another WBA Heavyweight title for two years, according to the WBA. Toney defended himself by saying that the steroids were given to him by a doctor to fix the arm injury he suffered during the Rydell Booker fight.

Toney won a unanimous decision over former heavyweight contender Dominic Guinn in his first match since the Ruiz war. Toney defeated Hasim Rahman on March 18, 2006, the WBC Heavyweight championships would be contested. The result was a 12-round majority draw.

Samuel Peter was to blame for Toney's next two outings. On September 2, 2006, the first fight was held in Los Angeles, California. Toney lost by a landslide decision. On January 6, 2007, Toney defeated Peter again by a unanimous decision, this time by unanimous decision. Both fights were WBC eliminator bouts for Oleg Maskaev's belt.

Toney's next match came against Fres Oquendo on December 13, 2008. In round eight, Oquendo was suspended one point for a rabbit punch, which would be the deciding factor in the match. Toney was dissatisfied with a close, contentious split decision. At the Pechanga Resort & Casino on September 12, 2009, James defeated heavyweight fighter Matthew Greer (12–5–0 11KO) awe. In round two, James won by TKO overturning.

Toney made his return to boxing on February 24, 2011, defeating Damon Reed in a ten-round unanimous vote. The match was scored 100-90 by the three judges. Toney weighed in at a career high of 257 pounds in this series.

Toney faced Bobby Gunn in a fifth round stoppage due to a hand injury sustained by Gunn on April 7, 2012. The International Boxing Union, a minor boxing body, has designated this as a world title.

In April 2013, Toney went to Australia to face Lucas Browne for the WBF heavyweight title. Toney was disqualified in a wide unanimous decision. Toney travelled to London, England, seven months later, to compete in the heavyweight Prizefighter Series hosted at the historic York Hall venue. Six fighters took on three round battles in a unique UK vs. USA tournament. Toney defeated English journeyman Matt Legg and won by TKO in the third round, progressing to the semi finals. He met fellow Americans Jason Gavern in the semi finals and was disqualified by majority vote, effectively ending the tournament.

Toney's last fight came on May 13, 2017, at the age of 48. He defeated Mike Sheppard by a sixth round stoppage and won the WBF heavyweight championship. Toney has officially retired after a career spanning 29 years and 92 professional bouts.

Mixed martial arts career

On January 2, 2010, Toney was seen at UFC 108, which culminated in discussions between him and UFC President Dana White over combating in the team. On March 3, White announced that the two had agreed and signed a multi-fight agreement with the firm at the age of 42.

Toney was coached by trainer Juanito Ibarra to assist him in his MMA transition. Trevor Sherman later assisted Toney.

Randy Couture, the former UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight champion, was defeated in his debut at UFC 118 on August 28, 2010. Couture scored a takedown against Toney early in the first round and then went on to beat Toney with an arm-triangle choke. Toney was also released from his UFC deal. The match earned notoriety, but it drew skepticism of being a bizarre show combat, many of which were unveiled by UFC President Dana White himself.

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