By Mark Vester

At the Morongo Casino in California, James Toney (71-6-3, 43KOs) won a controversial twelve round decision over Fres Oquendo (29-5, 18KOs). The scores were 115-112 for Toney, 116-111 for Oquendo and 114-113 for Toney.

The fight was sloppy. Both fighters appeared to have some problems. Both guys were sticking to their jabs with a lot of holding when they got close. The action was sluggish and Toney, 40, began to show his age down the stretch as Oquendo was beating him to the punch, throwing more than him and outlanding him. Oquendo lost a point in the eight for hitting behind the head. The point deduction was undeserving, Toney kept ducking his head to the side which led to Oquendo hitting him to the back of head.

Neither guy had the power to knock the other out, and that led to a lot of spots where neither guy did too much and that made a lot of rounds too close to call. Oquendo hurt Toney in the eleventh, but did almost nothing to try and finish him off. Oquendo began the twelfth with a huge right hand and continued land some good right hands on Toney who was very tired and couldn't put a lot of punches together.

The broadcasters and most of the viewers scoring online - had the fight scored for Oquendo.

On the undercard,

Super middleweight prospect Andre Ward (17-0, 12 KOs) stopped Esteban Camou (23-5, 19 KOs) in three rounds.

Young middleweight prospect and 2008 American Olympian, Shawn Estrada (2-0, 2 KOs), stopped Shaun Spaid (3-3, 2 KOs) in one round.

Malik Scott (32-0, 11 KOs) decisioned Raphael Butler (34-8, 27 KOs) over eight heavyweight rounds. The scores were 80-72, 80-72, and 79-73.

Heavyweight Eddie Chambers (33-1, 18 KOs) continues to stay active, winning an eight round decision over Cisse Salif (23-12-2, 21 KOs). The scores were 79-72, 79-72, and 79-73.

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com