No regrets from Wendy Toussaint’s promoter after ‘Ammo’ Williams loss

Wendy Toussaint was never going to be at his best against Austin “Ammo” Williams, but that didn’t stop the junior middleweight from taking a last-second fight with Austin “Ammo” Williams.

Williams was supposed to challenge middleweight titleholder Carlos Adames this past Saturday on the pay-per-view undercard of Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson. Adames dropped out the day before due to dehydration. 

Toussaint stepped in – and stepped up in weight and level of difficulty – to face Williams instead. Toussaint weighed in at more than 167lbs but otherwise resembled a fighter who had been in training – he had a bout scheduled for February 28. Alas, Toussaint lost a wide unanimous decision, dropping to 17-4 (7 KOs).

Toussaint’s promoter, Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing, is looking on the bright side of defeat.

“This was a calculated decision made with Wendy’s long-term career and financial gain all in mind,” DeGuardia said in a press release. “He took a rare opportunity on a day’s notice, moved up two divisions and helped save an important bout on an even more significant boxing extravaganza, while enhancing his profile. Although he didn’t walk away with the victory, he nevertheless deserves respect for stepping up under those circumstances on one day's notice, and will see even more opportunities in the future.”

Toussaint’s previous three losses came against Charles Conwell (a ninth-round knockout in 2020); Ardreal Holmes Jnr (a technical decision in 2023); and Shervantaigh Koopman (a unanimous decision in 2024). He had won two in a row since, including a split decision over the 12-0 Joseph Hicks last June that earned Toussaint a regional belt from the IBF.

DeGuardia said they contacted the IBF before accepting the bout in order to ensure that he wouldn’t lose that regional belt. They plan for Toussaint to return to 154lbs at an event that will be announced “very soon.”

David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2. David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.