Toney - Rahman Decision Reversed

James Toney TKO stoppage over Hasim Rahman has been changed to a no contest by the California State Athletic Commission (see what happened).  At least this give us all a little reassurance that boxing isn't as crooked as everyone makes it out to be.  They reviewed the call and overturned it.

James Toney vs. Hasim Rahman Results: Another Disappointment

Yes they are. Don't know whatever possessed us think that this match-up wouldn't somehow end in raging disappointment.

After three rounds of fairly decent action, James Toney and Hasim Rahman's very large heads collided, opening a gash above Hasim's eye and leaving both a little disoriented (see video 1). Toney (who despite claiming he worked harder than ever in training, still looked like an alien pod was incubating in his stomach) quickly capatilized on the occasion, landing quite a few big right hands before the round ended. And then it got weird.

BDSSP Fight Night: Round 3 Highlights

In between rounds, the ringside physician came over to Rahman's corner to check the cut that was caused from the unintentional head-butt. Somewhere in the conversation, Hasim said that he was having trouble seeing out of his eye (the one that was affected by the butt). The ringside physician did exactly what he was supposed to do and stopped the bout when a fighter's vision is severely affected.

At the sound of the bell we saw James Toney fall to the floor in excitement for what he thought was a victory.  After some deliberation before the announcer let us in on the ruling, Toney's camp realized the decision was not cut and dry and decided to sit down to wait anxiously in their corner.  

Now what normally happens when an unintentional head-butt causes a cut that is bad enough to stop the fight within the first four rounds, the bout is ruled a no-contest.  However, after the fourth round the decision will go to the score cards. Pretty simple right? Not quite.

Since the doctor ruled that the cut was okay to contiue, the fight was stopped on Rahman's exclamation of blurred vision in his left eye. Although the head-butt may have aided in his ailment, it is possible that it was caused from punches as well. So Rahman was, by his own admission, not able continue and James Toney was awarded the NABO heavyweight title (see video).

BDSSP Fight Night: Final Decision

In his post interview, Toney mumbled something about how he is the best heavyweight in the division and slung some derogatory comments towards the number one heavyweight champion Wlad Klitschko (seems to be the "it" thing to do these days; see video above). And this is coming after a horrible and unconvincing technical victory.

Although Klitschko has not astounded us as of recently, there is no way James Toney should even get the chance to be mentioned in the same breath as Wlad. He is still out of condition and at age 40 has no chance of lasting 12 rounds with a man who is 7 inches taller, a ripped 241 lbs, and currently just a better fighter. 

Toney get in the long line of Wald contenders, your at the end buddy. 

Weigh-in results: James Tony vs. Hasim Rahman

When we first heard that these two "veterans" (we're being nice) singed up for a heavyweight bout, we were very skeptical (see favorite article; Toney and Rahman Are Still Fighting?). And not to say that we have changed our minds, but after hearing some buzz about the training camps and seeing the weigh in results, the fight just became a little bit more interesting (a little bit...).

The last couple of times we saw James Toney (70-6 -3, 43 Ko's) in the ring he was looking (how do we put this lightly..) not healthy. He tipped the scales at over 250 lbs, was grossly out of shape and resembled Grimace, Ronald McDonald's obese purple buddy or the pleasantly plump alien Earl, from Sega's Toe Jam and Earl (the one eating the hotdog; whichever, he was a big boy). 

However, there have been rumors floating around that Toney has been taking this fight as seriously as he did back when he was the middleweight champion of the world (16 years and 100 lbs ago).  And it would seem that the rumors are true.

James Toney stepped up to the scale looking fit and ready, weighing in at 226 lbs.  His opponent Hasim Raham (45-6-2, Ko's 36), tipped in at 244 lbs. 

The fact that Toney looks like he is taking the fight more seriously is what makes it instantly more interesting.  Although the winner of this match-up doesn't deserve a title shot (as previously stated by the promoters), there is a very slight chance we could be in for a good fight.

We are still talking about two of the better fighters in the past 15 years. Toney has won a title in every division on his journey up from middlweight to heavyweight and was named 2003 "Fighter of Year". Standing across from him will be one of the few men who can say they took down the last outstanding heavyweight champ, Lennox Lewis.  And they both will be fighting as if it were their last fight (because it probably is).

If these guys are as serious as they claim, this fight has the chance to be a diamond in the rough in the heavyweight division.  In the same breath, it could be as boring as (if not worse) than the Klitschko fight. We have to keep in mind that we are still watching heavyweights, both past the age of 35 and both semi-washed up with one foot out the door (and into a Coldstone Creamery for Toney).

The fight will be broadcast live from Temecula, CA on FSN tomorrow night (wed.) at 11:00 pm EST  

Wait a Minute, James Toney and Hasim Rahman Are Still Boxing?

Yes, James Toney is still alive. 

It was announced this past week that James Toney (70-6-3, 43 KOs) will face Hasim Rahman (45-6-2, 36 KOs) in a heavyweight bout set for July 16th. I could have sworn I was reading a headline from five years ago, but no there it was, right in front of me. The headline for a candidate for worst fight of the year. I think we point to instances such as these to explain why no one cares what is going on in the once great heavyweight division.

Last time I saw Toney in the ring (see above) it looked like he just finished snacking on one of the card girls and was quite possibly the first time he had moved in months.  I am sure now that he has had an entire year layoff that he is going to be in prime condition for this fight being taken on a month and half notice. Lets not forget the two recent instances of positive steroid tests as well (could have fooled me though, I was under the impression they had a bit of a different effect).  

Rahman (see left with the alien spawn pulsating from his brain) 

doesn't have too much to offer either.  He is two years younger than Toney (Toney  40 yrs and Rahman 38 yrs so I don't know if I should be throwing around the word young so carelessly) and has been trying to stage a comeback this past year. 

Both fighters have probably seen there day in side the ropes. But that's not how Todd duBoef, President of Top Rank sees it - "I think they're both marquee names, but they are at a crossroads in their careers" (maybe a little bit of an understatement there buddy) "... The winner of this fight should be given an opportunity to fight for one of the titles." Titles? This guy has got to be joking if he thinks that winning this fight should propel anyone to a title shot. The only thing the winner of this fight should get is a piece of cake at his retirement party (or 3 cakes for Toney).