Boxing News: Toney outworks Lubwama

BROCKTON, Mass. (Campanelli Stadium) – Rodney Toney, 28-4-4 (17 KOs), 176¾, Boston, easily decisioned James Lubwama, 16-3-2 (9 KOs), 176, Uganda, over 10 rounds on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights.

Toney, 37, patiently stalked the very awkward southpaw Lubwama throughout. While he landed only sporadically, Toney clearly outworked Lubwama whose style is geared toward survival.

Lubwama was unable to sustain any attack with most engagements ending with Toney landing the harder, cleaner punches. Although Toney faded in the last two rounds, he continued to maintain overall control of the bout and was the clear winner.

Ringside judges, though all scoring for Toney, saw the bout very differently with scores of 97-93, 96-95, 100-91. The Sweet Science scored the bout 98-92.

Televised Undercard:

In a rare battle of between two southpaws, Mike Oliver, 9-0 (4 KOs), 122, Hartford, Conn., stopped Darby Smart, 7-2 (2 KOs), 123, Chisolm, Minn., in round seven of a scheduled eight due to severe cuts. The bout was marred by repeated fouling by Smart, who was docked a point in round 6 for excessive roughness. Oliver clearly won all rounds leading up to the seventh.

Anthony Russell, 9-1-1 (1 KO), 179½, Brockton, scored an eight round split decision over tough Anterio Vines, 4-6-1 (1 KO), 183, Columbus, Oh., in another oddly scored fight. Vines appeared to drop the first round but worked his way into a lead in the middle rounds, landing crisp right hands and left hooks. Russell made a strong run in the final two rounds as Vines tired. Scoring was 59-55 Russell, 58-56 Russell, and 59-57 Vines.The Sweet Science saw the bout at 57-57.