All-time-great boxing champion James "Lights Out" Toney is turning a negative into a positive… As in he’s positive he’s going to Russia to kick Denis Ledbedev’s ass.

 

After training extremely hard in preparation, Toney was informed not long ago that his next unified rules MMA bout with Ken Shamrock would be delayed until yearly part of 2012. Already in terrific shape and weighing near the cruiserweight limit of 200 lbs, Toney has decided to instead re-focus on his boxing career and target the #1 cruiserweight contender Denis Ledbedev, who recently knocked out one of his old-time rivals, Roy Jones Jr.

 

“November 5th, I’m going to invade Russia and show this pretender what happens when he messes with a real fighter,” said the always quotable Toney. “I’m calling it ‘Lights Out Russia’ because he’s just the first one I’m going to whip. After I beat up Ledbedev, I’m going back to Heavyweight and I'm knocking Povetkin out”

 

Toney was last seen in the ring in February when he pitched a 10-round shutout over veteran Damon Reed. He is the current IBA Heavyweight Champion.

 

“If they think the Roy Jones fight was big over there, wait till I get there and see what I do to this European fighters. The Roy Jones that Ledbedev beat was finished. I’m ready and I’m as good as I’ve ever been, watch what I do to him. And now I hear Povetkin wants to beat up Holyfield, Evander has been done since I knocked his ass out in 2003. If Povetkin isn't scared he can jump in the ring after I put his teammate away on November 5th”

 

Toney says he was offered to face Ledbedev at a catchweight, but has been training so hard for that he won’t need any allowances.

 

“I’m going to beat his ass at his weight class, so he can’t make any excuses". The last time James Toney fought at this weight he beat the than undefeated IBF Cruiserweight Champion Vasiliy Jirov in what became 2003 fight of the year, he then proceeded to stop Evander Holyfield in his next fight.

"I’m going to do it again in November.” James "Lights Out" Toney proclaimed.