Connect with us

Articles of 2010

Journey Of James Toney Pt. 3 ? Only Randy Couture Steps Up

Published

on

Boxing promoter Dan Goossen, who has worked with James “Lights Out Toney for a decade, thinks it’s only fair that no matter the outcome with Randy “The Natural Couture, a rematch in a boxing ring is not much to ask.

Silence is mostly what he Goossen is getting in return.

Nonetheless, 10-time boxing world champion Toney (72-6-3, 44 KOs) will put on the four-ounce gloves and step inside the Octagon against grappler extraordinaire Couture (18-10) on Saturday in Boson. The boxer versus mixed martial arts fighter match UFC 118 will be shown on pay-per-view television.

Ultimate Fighting Championship boss Dana White hedged his bet by putting on Frankie Edgar defending the UFC lightweight title in a rematch with former champ BJ Penn. And of course there will be other good match ups too.

But Toney’s irascible personality and stone cold confidence has not only turned heads in the last few days but boosted interest with sports handicappers. A lot of late money has been showing up in the casinos for the boxer.

“I’m cocky, I’m brashful, I’m braggadocious, ain’t nobody like me so they boo me. But you know what, you can’t beat me, this ain’t nothing new to me, says Toney.

Maybe it’s the boxing fans suddenly rushing the betting windows or maybe the realization that Couture is 47 has changed outlooks. The once 7 -1 odds against Toney are slimming down.

For those old enough to remember when Muhammad Ali stepped into the ring with former Japanese wrestling star Antonio Inoki it became a war that nobody expected. Today, the world is aware that grapplers have a distinct advantage but they can still be hit.

Ali and Inoki ended in a draw but the boxer suffered serious leg injuries from 15 rounds of kicks. Toney does not move around the ring like Ali did, but he also knows how to fight inside. Will it help against Couture?

“Let’s see James do what he do best and that’s hit, said Toney, who is known in the boxing circles for his pinpoint accuracy. “You know like I said, I’m not worried about whatever Randy going to do. Randy’s going to be Randy, James will be James, you know what I’m saying?

Couture does not fare well against strong punchers who favor the stand up game. Chuck Liddell proved that in their last two fights winning by knockout. The second loss shoved Couture into retirement but he returned and captured the heavyweight title.

Still, once the chin goes it’s difficult to get it back. Couture may not be able to sustain a punch from Toney who is more accurate and quicker than Liddell. One thing Liddell did pack is serious firepower. Toney’s firepower is still a question mark with the four-ounce gloves.

One more thing, Toney has never been knocked out.

“The question is what other skill sets and what other things is James going to be able to learn and try to execute in this fight, said Couture with his ever present analytical mindset. “And that’s going to determine how much it’s just boxing versus MMA…so you know it will be interesting to see what other things James develops specifically for this fight.

Since the beginning of the decade Toney’s fought much bigger foes in the boxing ring where his lack of size always kept fans from gathering behind him. But time after time he would show how a little man can beat a bigger man and often with shocking results.

In boxing both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko refused to fight him. Both have opted to fight relative neophytes of the boxing game than tangle with Toney.

Last year, when Vitali Klitschko beat Chris Arreola in Los Angeles, there was Toney looking at the current WBC titleholder. Klitschko told Toney that he heard he was supposed to be afraid of him according to rumors.

“What are you going to do about it? shot back Toney.

Both Klitschko brothers walked away.

“I was supposed to fight them back in 2002. We were going to meet in Las Vegas but they didn’t show up, said Toney. “I’m going to get those Klitschko sisters after I knock out Randy Couture.

It’s with this in mind that Toney enters the Octagon on Saturday. He knows that more than winning a fight is at stake against Couture who he respects immensely for giving him the opportunity to show his skills on the national scene.

“I can’t wait, says Toney who’s excited as a kid in Disneyland for the first time. “Four-ounce gloves.

Couture said he recognizes that he and Toney have spent most of their life in their respective sports. Now it’s time to see who can dictate to whom.

“I have no illusions that I’m a world class boxer or that I’m going to stand and trade with James. That would be pretty stupid, said Couture while on the telephone conference call. “Given the rules of engagement of mixed martial arts I can tie him up, I can take him down and put him on the ground and do a lot of other things to kind of neutralize his strength which is his striking, most definitely.

Boxer or wrestler, it’s going to be an intriguing night on Saturday.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

David-Allen-Bursts-Johnny-Fisher's-Bubble-at-the-Copper-Box
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles1 week ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles4 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles7 hours ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 day ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles4 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles1 week ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending