I've read about his planned comeback in February about three times now. What I'm wondering is whether he actually lost any time due to his injury. If h stayed in shape the way he did during his last layoff, then he's only lost about eight-ten weeks. If he let himself go, he's lost it all. There's no way he'll make another comeback. But assuming he stayed in shape the way I'm pretty sure he did, how much can he still do?

I think he has a great chance to unify the division.If there were a tournament starting with the four titlists (I'm mostly counting Lamon Brewster because I want him out already), Toney, and three other contenders, I think it's very possible that Toney would end up on top. I mean, who do you pick without a shadow of a doubt to beat Toney?

Lamon Brewster would get stopped. He doesn't throw enough punches for Toney to even take a deep breath.

Chris Byrd is a great defensive boxer, but his offense pales in comparison to Toney's. Furthermore, it's pretty clear to most people that Byrd is slowing down. I love the Byrd man, but I'd go with Toney here.

John Ruiz would finally get DQ'd. Or he'd get stopped again. It's perfectly possible that Toney would frustrate him into quitting. It'd be a fight for the first half of the bout, but at some point Ruiz would find it impossible to force himself to keep getting hit so much.

Really, the only punch Vitali knows how to throw on the inside is the uppercut. Granted, it's a pretty big punch, but if Toney keeps him off balance just a little bit he can beat Klitschko. Klitschko's the most serious threat. I would say it's even money with Klitschko, and Toney would be the favorite against anyone else I named.

I think that byrd is more skilled than toney and will outbox him.
Tuiz will beat him for obvious reasons
Vitaly will break his arms if Toney will try to defend himself or break his head othewise.
Lamon Brewster will win because Don King will jump in a fight( a la Norman Stone) and hit him with a steel chair

You're a hater though. I've read some of your other posts about Toney. Well. One of your other posts.

I liked your Brewster comment though.

At the present moment yes I am a hater because I hate arrogant and ****y bastards. If he beats somebody real from top ten(like barret or rahman) and does it in a dominant manner I will be the first one to scream for a match with Vitaly or whoever of the champs you want. Until that I dont buy the hype. Seen too many guys like Tony go down in a bad way to believe in him

At the present moment yes I am a hater because I hate arrogant and ****y bastards. If he beats somebody real from top ten(like barret or rahman) and does it in a dominant manner I will be the first one to scream for a match with Vitaly or whoever of the champs you want. Until that I dont buy the hype. Seen too many guys like Tony go down in a bad way to believe in him
I love ****y bastards. That's what makes the sport go round. Still, I respect and appreciate what you're saying. You make a better point more succinctly than the average hater, and that's important to me. I disagree with you, naturally, pointing to the skills he has shown us in his first two fights at heavy, but I liked your post nonetheless.

And just so we're clear, I want em all.

I think he has a great chance to unify the division.If there were a tournament starting with the four titlists (I'm mostly counting Lamon Brewster because I want him out already), Toney, and three other contenders, I think it's very possible that Toney would end up on top. I mean, who do you pick without a shadow of a doubt to beat Toney?

Lamon Brewster would get stopped. He doesn't throw enough punches for Toney to even take a deep breath.

Chris Byrd is a great defensive boxer, but his offense pales in comparison to Toney's. Furthermore, it's pretty clear to most people that Byrd is slowing down. I love the Byrd man, but I'd go with Toney here.

John Ruiz would finally get DQ'd. Or he'd get stopped again. It's perfectly possible that Toney would frustrate him into quitting. It'd be a fight for the first half of the bout, but at some point Ruiz would find it impossible to force himself to keep getting hit so much.

Really, the only punch Vitali knows how to throw on the inside is the uppercut. Granted, it's a pretty big punch, but if Toney keeps him off balance just a little bit he can beat Klitschko. Klitschko's the most serious threat. I would say it's even money with Klitschko, and Toney would be the favorite against anyone else I named.


yeah, whdempsey, well said, i see it the same way, too!

You're a hater though. I've read some of your other posts about Toney. Well. One of your other posts.
And your a oney scrotum sailor so the inniverse evens out!

toney actually is a very proven fighter, he has much more skill than byrd or probably any other hw. the problem is that he has very little power at over 200lbs. guys like vitali klitschko would beat him because of the size and strength advantage

guys like vitali klitschko would beat him because of the size and strength advantage....

not if they can't hit him, i doubt most of their shot would land clean on Toney, it's hard to land a clean punch on him, especially when you're used to punching a much bigger target

Both of Them were Hiting Byrd at will. Just using Byrd as another "hard to hit" example.

They hit Byrd because he didn't throw many punches, Toney will throw a lot of punches, he needs to alnd a lot of leather to do the damage

Both of Them were Hiting Byrd at will. Just using Byrd as another "hard to hit" example.

Hitting Byrd and hitting Toney are two different things...they have different defensive styles. Toney rolls his shoulder and keeps his right hand high to parry, thus making it so nothing lands flush. He also slips punches very well. Byrd relies more on movement and slipping...Toney can just stand there, take a bunch of punches, and laugh while none of them affect him. He also has very tight body defense.

Hitting Byrd and hitting Toney are two different things...they have different defensive styles. Toney rolls his shoulder and keeps his right hand high to parry, thus making it so nothing lands flush. He also slips punches very well. Byrd relies more on movement and slipping...Toney can just stand there, take a bunch of punches, and laugh while none of them affect him. He also has very tight body defense.

I'll need to see it before I believe it.

I'll need to see it before I believe it.

Granted...even I need to see it. I still believe he can do it though. Back before James beat Nunn in '91, when I was a young lad getting my hair cut next to him, he told everyone in that barber shop that he would be Heavyweight champ. I still believe him.

Dempsey - You seem to have somehow lost your mind on this one.

His "great chance to unify the division" would probably start with Ruiz, who would mug him and get the decision. It's perfectly impossible that Toney would frustrate Ruiz into quitting, because Ruiz doesn't care. It's perfectly possible that Toney would get frustrated and take a big ****ing swing, not a push, and connect afger the bell. Down goes Ruiz, who lays there, gets the DQ.

Your right, he'd beat Lamon and very likely Byrd.

Vitali wouldn't need the uppercut against Toney. James wants guys to come to him, especially now that he's puffed up on juice so badly. Vitali can stand back while Toney leans on the ropes and "pops" Toney at will. Toney's short tight little juiced-up arms will be on the outside whiffing the air, all night long. Oops, did I say long? I guess Vitali by TKO within 7 isn't really a long night.

Toney talks big, but Vitali is big.

I'll need to see it before I believe it.

Exactly. Until Toney shows us something, that will be my mantra.

For now, the "big" version of Toney has built a phantom legacy by beating the old tired Evander and war-bait Jirov.

I'll need to see it before I believe it.
exactly. I guarentee if the champ nails him at will that right hand aint gonna save his bacon!

I'm with the doubters. Ruiz is a total thug, unless you can stay away from him or overpower him, you got no chance. Toney's got no chance.

Vitali is a huge man monster. Yeah, he's a robot, but a strong, powerful one. No way Toney gets inside to even land something semi-solid, let alone break the giant down.

Byrd - Toney has a chance against him, but even then, it's no cakewalk. Byrd is slick, he moves better than James and he's got better reach and handspeed. And for once, against Toney, he wouldn't be at a size or power disadvantage. Can Toney get inside and get enough solid shots on him to break him down? Like I said, it's no cakewalk.

Toney talks trash and I actually think it's funny and entertaining. But he hasn't beaten anyone at HW yet, so until then, it's all just talk...

Toney definately has a chance against Ruiz. You can't sit there and tell me Ruiz is so good he can't be beaten by Toney. Ruiz is slow and loves to hold pull and wear down but can be hurt by punches. Even Roy wobbled him a couple of times. Toney can hurt him by getting on the inside of his punches and chop him down. We all know that Ruiz doesn't put enough punches together to really be an offensive threat to Toney. I belive Toney would win by 9th round TKO.

Byrd will be tougher because he moves very quickly for a heavyweight but he still would have to move in at somepoint to land punches. But Toney putting extra pressure on Byrd and work both the body and the head he could pull this one out. Byrd can still be hurt and would try and fight Toney from the outside. Byrd would trying to get a better lead would exchange with Toney too often and start to wear down. This would be a close bout that would be decided by a split decision victory for Toney.

Yes, Vitali would be the biggest test and he should be he is champ. But this fight would still be close. I'm sorry but you guys that think Vitali is gonna just mop the floor with Toney are dead wrong. This will be a tactical fight. Toney does not have one punch knockout power but the man can hurt fighters when they are careless. I can see this one going into the late rounds. If this one goes past 8 rounds Toney's chances for victory greatly increase. Tony by SD

Toney definately has a chance against Ruiz. You can't sit there and tell me Ruiz is so good he can't be beaten by Toney. Ruiz is slow and loves to hold pull and wear down but can be hurt by punches. Even Roy wobbled him a couple of times. Toney can hurt him by getting on the inside of his punches and chop him down. We all know that Ruiz doesn't put enough punches together to really be an offensive threat to Toney. I belive Toney would win by 9th round TKO.

Byrd will be tougher because he moves very quickly for a heavyweight but he still would have to move in at somepoint to land punches. But Toney putting extra pressure on Byrd and work both the body and the head he could pull this one out. Byrd can still be hurt and would try and fight Toney from the outside. Byrd would trying to get a better lead would exchange with Toney too often and start to wear down. This would be a close bout that would be decided by a split decision victory for Toney.

Yes, Vitali would be the biggest test and he should be he is champ. But this fight would still be close. I'm sorry but you guys that think Vitali is gonna just mop the floor with Toney are dead wrong. This will be a tactical fight. Toney does not have one punch knockout power but the man can hurt fighters when they are careless. I can see this one going into the late rounds. If this one goes past 8 rounds Toney's chances for victory greatly increase. Tony by SD
well I respect your oppinion but don't agree w/it. However, you know what? The sad truth is James Toney will never ever face VK. Im telling you this now and I've said it many times before. He is too old and definetley injury prone. His next fight certainly won't be VK so think about it his camp say he's cleared for a fight in Feburary. Hes still got the cast on now? OK so the end of Feb. That means some D level fighter again. And I gaurentee if he wins he'll be injured again. Im tellin you we will not see JT fight VK or RUIZ or Byrd at all in 2005 .MARK MY WORDS!

well I respect your oppinion but don't agree w/it. However, you know what? The sad truth is James Toney will never ever face VK. Im telling you this now and I've said it many times before. He is too old and definetley injury prone. His next fight certainly won't be VK so think about it his camp say he's cleared for a fight in Feburary. Hes still got the cast on now? OK so the end of Feb. That means some D level fighter again. And I gaurentee if he wins he'll be injured again. Im tellin you we will not see JT fight VK or RUIZ or Byrd at all in 2005 .MARK MY WORDS!


Good point. Toney is getting older and the window is closing rapidly, but that just adds to the drama of boxing. You might be right but I hope not. I'm hoping for some heavyweight excitement in the next year because its been boring me to tears lately.

Toney definately has a chance against Ruiz. You can't sit there and tell me Ruiz is so good he can't be beaten by Toney. Ruiz is slow and loves to hold pull and wear down but can be hurt by punches. Even Roy wobbled him a couple of times. Toney can hurt him by getting on the inside of his punches and chop him down. We all know that Ruiz doesn't put enough punches together to really be an offensive threat to Toney. I belive Toney would win by 9th round TKO.

Byrd will be tougher because he moves very quickly for a heavyweight but he still would have to move in at somepoint to land punches. But Toney putting extra pressure on Byrd and work both the body and the head he could pull this one out. Byrd can still be hurt and would try and fight Toney from the outside. Byrd would trying to get a better lead would exchange with Toney too often and start to wear down. This would be a close bout that would be decided by a split decision victory for Toney.

Yes, Vitali would be the biggest test and he should be he is champ. But this fight would still be close. I'm sorry but you guys that think Vitali is gonna just mop the floor with Toney are dead wrong. This will be a tactical fight. Toney does not have one punch knockout power but the man can hurt fighters when they are careless. I can see this one going into the late rounds. If this one goes past 8 rounds Toney's chances for victory greatly increase. Tony by SD

That's great and all, but while you explained how you thought Toney could beat Byrd and Ruiz, you failed to say what Toney was going to do to beat Vitali. I think that you failed to say so because its not gonna happen.

i think tha boi's tryin to say Toney will outland him and score a points decision, which i can see happening

And your a oney scrotum sailor so the inniverse evens out!
Shut the **** up. This is my thread. You don't like it, go find a way to bugger yourself.

Everything else you posted on thie thread was good, by the way. But coming on here and insulting me with nonsensical laguage is unacceptable.

Dempsey - You seem to have somehow lost your mind on this one.

His "great chance to unify the division" would probably start with Ruiz, who would mug him and get the decision. It's perfectly impossible that Toney would frustrate Ruiz into quitting, because Ruiz doesn't care. It's perfectly possible that Toney would get frustrated and take a big ****ing swing, not a push, and connect afger the bell. Down goes Ruiz, who lays there, gets the DQ.

Your right, he'd beat Lamon and very likely Byrd.

Vitali wouldn't need the uppercut against Toney. James wants guys to come to him, especially now that he's puffed up on juice so badly. Vitali can stand back while Toney leans on the ropes and "pops" Toney at will. Toney's short tight little juiced-up arms will be on the outside whiffing the air, all night long. Oops, did I say long? I guess Vitali by TKO within 7 isn't really a long night.

Toney talks big, but Vitali is big.

Why the **** are you gonna insult me on my own damn thread? Tell me I lost my mind and ****. That's just disrespectful.

All it takes is one good ref for Ruiz to lose. If Jay Nady gets the assignment, Ruiz ends up punking out. If Steve Smoger gets the assignment, Ruiz gets DQ'd for being an ******* and choosing a bad corner. If Lawrence Cole gets the assignment, then I agree, Toney at some point pulls out a gun and gets DQ'd. But don't act like Toney is more suseptible to getting disqualified than "******man" Ruiz.

Toney being juiced is a sick little fantasy of yours that will never come true. Toney slips, rolls his shoulder and gets inside Klitschko's reach and avoids laying back on the ropes. Watch Toney when he's attacking Jirov or Holyfield. He has a fantastic offense. You can blow him off all you want, but the fact of the matter is he has a damn good chance to unify the division.

You disagreeable ****.

Every time Toney will try to get within a close range withVitaly he will get hurt. Besides lost couple of fights he tended to stay on ropes too much. As somebody pointed it out this will do it no good against Vitaly. Besides did Toney ever fought somebody with Vitaly's power. Holyfield never had one punch KO power and I dont know what Booker is doing in boxing, he clearly should do someting else.