By Sammy Rozenberg
 
After many disappointments and failed chances at glory, Hasim Rahman (41-5-2, 33 KOs) and James Toney (69-4-3, 43 KOs) were able to rise to the occasion by fighting hard for the WBC heavyweight title before a sellout crowd in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The problem was the end result because it settled nothing. The three judges at ringside scored the fight a majority draw, 117-111 for Rahman, 114-114 and 114-114 for the draw. Rahman retains his title, and Toney still maintains his 9-year win streak.
 
The bout was close at times, with Toney countering most of Rahman's punches off the ropes and Rahman controlling the fight in the center of the ring. Both men appeared tired the stretch, but Toney was visibly the more tired of the two fighters. After the decision was announced, both fighters felt they won the fight.
 
In a surprise, Rahman felt Toney did not bring his best and was out of shape for the fight.
 
"I think something happened in training camp because James has looked better. I thought I won the fight by the last round," Rahman said.
 
Toney felt that Rahman was unwilling to push the fight and caused the outcome that happened.
 
"What can you do if a man doesn't want to fight? I knew he would be scared. I thought I won," said Toney.

Where Rahman and Toney go from here is up in the air. The heavyweight landscape is not any clearer and the big money/future opponent layout will be likely planned out by the results of the next couple of heavyweight battles, two of the more important bouts are scheduled in the month of April.
 
The first bout scheduled for April 1, pits WBO heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster (33-2, 29KO) against contender Serguei Lyakhovich (28-1, 14KO). Brewster, once considered the bottom of heavyweight barrel, has risen in popularity by staging exciting come from behind victories, showcasing deadly punching power and the ability to take punishment.
 
A bout with Brewster, should he win against Lyakhovich, would be a clash that would surely satisfy the hardcore boxing fans, whther it was against Toney or Rahman. The problem for either fighter, is by facing Brewster they would not be making the highest possible payday among the possible other viable opponents in the weight class. When taking that into account with the fact that Brewster is one of the deadliest punchers in the weight class is enough to scrap the bout until it makes more sense, or should I say cents.
 
Wladimir Klitschko (45-3, 40KO), should he beat IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd (39-2-1, 20KO) on April 22, would certainly be worthwhile in terms of interest and money. Whether the fight was held in the United States or Germany, Klitschko has a loyal fan following which transforms into a lot of money no matter where he fights.
 
There could be an angle with either man getting a shot against Klitschko, but more so for Rahman. After so much slack given to brother Vitali for never facing Rahman and eventually retiring, Wladimir would clear the family name with a win.  There would be more a circus factor if the 5’9 Toney would face Wladimir, who is almost a foot taller.
 
At the moment, Oleg Maskaev is the mandatory challenger to Rahman’s WBC title and was promised by the WBC for the next shot at the title, regardless of who would of won the fight. The likely scenario appears to be a Rahman-Maskaev clash, and Toney targeting the winner of Klitshko-Byrd.
 
In what turned out to be a very good heavyweight fight, the division is still a mess as nothing has been solved. In the last two years, there have been several setbacks for the heavyweights and this decision adds another one to the list.
 
On the undercard:
 
Undefeated junior welterweight Dmitriy Salita (24-0-1, 14 KOs) almost saw his undefeated record go up in smoke. He was unexpectedly sent down to canvas twice in the first round by unheralded Ramon Montano (9-2-2), but was still able to squeak out an eight round draw down the stretch. The scores were 75-74 for Salita, 76-74 Montano and 75-75 for the draw.
 
Heavyweight Tony Thompson (27-1, 17 KOs) stopped Maurice Wheeler (10-5-1, 1 KOs) in the fourth round.
 
Heavyweight prospect Travis Kauffman (3-0, 3 KOs) knocked out Robert Bell (2-2) in the first round by way of vicious right hook.
 
Junior welterweight Vincent Arroyo (4-0, 3KOs) stopped Jose Caraballo (4-2, 1KO) in the fourth round.
 
Super Bantamweight Suzannah Warner (3-3, 2KOs) won a majority four-round decision over previously unbeaten Noriko Kariya (3-1, OKOs). The scores were 39-37, 39-37 and 38-38.