By Ryan Songalia
"Now or Never." Very rarely is it when a fight is billed so accurately, so appropriately. Initially, the main event for Goossen-Tutor's Saturday, December 13 Versus-televised card was supposed to match James "Lights Out" Toney and Tony "The Tiger" Thompson in an elimination bout of sorts.
One man's career would stagnate at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, CA. The other would find himself in (perhaps) his last world title fight.
Within the last week, Thompson fell out of the fight citing bronchitis, leaving Dan Goossen scrambling for a suitable opponent for Toney. Luckily, Fres Oquendo had been training for another fight that failed to materialize and answered the call to arms.
Oquendo also fits the fight's billing. At 35 years old with a record of 29-4 (18 KOs), time is also be running out on him to fulfill the expectations that had materialized with knockout wins over Clifford Etienne and Maurice Harris. With two unsuccessful world title attempts in his rear-view mirror, it may be now or never for him as well.
Typically, it is the substitute who is facing the uphill battle, yet Toney acknowledges that he is in a tougher fight than he originally had been scheduled for.
"Oquendo is a much tougher opponent for me," Toney, 70-6-3 (43 KOs), tells BoxingScene.com. "Tony Thompson has no heart, he didn't want to fight me. He said he had a case of bronchitis, but he had a case of bitch-itis.
"It's not a big adjustment because they're both some roadrunners. I'm going to do the same thing, only difference is that Tony Thompson is a southpaw and Fres Oquendo is a conventional fighter."
No spring chicken himself at 40 years old, Toney is in the twilight of a Hall-of-Fame career that has spanned three decades and earned him world titles in the middleweight, super-middleweight and cruiserweight divisions.
Injuries have himdered him in recent years, and two positive steroids tests have all but halted the momentum he had accrued following a dominant ninth round TKO win over Evander Holyfield in 2003. Still, Toney maintains that he is in a positive mind state heading into Saturday's fight.
"I feel like I'm 20 years old, age ain't nothing but a number. I forgot more about the sport than any of these other fighters ever knew. I'm not worried about it at all. I'm happy, I'm in great shape, I'm ready to go."
Toney's last fight, a rematch of a 2006 draw with Hasim Rahman, was changed from a third round TKO win to a no decision upon review. Still, Toney looked sharp and punched with accuracy, convincing Rahman to bow out of the contest.
Fres Oquendo has fallen just short of the ultimate heavyweight glory. The four losses of his career, against Chris Byrd, John Ruiz, David Tua and Evander Holyfield represent the four best opponents he has faced. There is no shortage of ringside experts who felt the decision could have gone the other way in the Byrd and Holyfield clashes.
"I've had a lot of controversial fights in my career," Oquendo, of Chicago, Illinois, says. "I'm in my prime and I've never taken a lot of punishment. James Toney has been through a lot of wars, two hard fights with Sam Peter, getting caught with steroids. I live a healthy life, I don't drink or smoke. James is 40 so he's the one up in years, not me."
Oquendo has garnered a reputation for being a respectful, reserved fighter, an "I do my talking in the ring" kind of guy. Almost to a detriment. Quietly, Oquendo has run off three consecutive since his 2006 stumble against Holyfield. He says that the short notice is not an issue for him.
"I've been ready for everyone since day one," Oquendo says. "I'm a veteran of the game, 11 years in the sport and I want to take on the best heavyweights in the world.
"He talks the talk but he can't walk the walk. When me and him get in the ring, we're going to find out who is better. This is a very hard fight for me but I'm going to make the most of it.
"He's pretty experienced. He doesn't move too much but he moves his waist around. People that keep him on the outside always give him problems. His style is to trap you on the inside. My ability will overcome that, so it won't matter."
Toney, never shy about professing his confidence, was outspoken about his chances in this fight.
"I'm the best fighter [Oquendo has] ever fought," Toney says. "Who else has he fought? John Ruiz is a bum. Chris Byrd is a bum. Who has he fought that was better? No one.
"I hope the guy doesn't bring his track shoes and comes to fight. Either way, he's going to get knocked out."
For a boxer who has defied the odds as many times as he has, who has accumulated numerous accolades and two Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year awards, what keeps him motivated to continue?
"I want to knock both Klitschkos out. Everybody knows Sam Peter didn't beat me in the first fight, it was highway robbery. And if Lennox Lewis comes out of retirement like he says he's going to do, I'ma knock his ass out, too.
"The only person who has beaten me my whole career has been myself."
Tales From the Cutting Room Floor
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When asked who would win the upcoming heavyweight title clash between Wladimir Klitschko and Hasim Rahman, James Toney answered in classic "Lights Out" fashion.
"They're both bums, may the best bum win. To me, that fight is a toss-up."
Odd man out Tony Thompson laughed off claims that he was faking an injury in order to avoid fighting Toney.
"I wish I wasn't sick, Thompson, 31-2 (19 KO), said. "I have seven kids to feed, I need all the money I can get coming in. I've never turned down a fight in my career. This fight would get me back in with Wladimir Klitschko, why would I duck James Toney? It makes no sense.
"I got a little sick. I couldn't train properly so I couldn't get in real good shape for this fight."
Asked about the fight on Saturday, Thompson replied, "Toney should win it on experience."
Thompson says he's hoping to start training again soon and return in January or early February.
Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at songaliaboxing@aol.com .
