By Rick Reeno

Can a man who won his first title in 1991, at the middleweight limit of 160 pounds, beat a man regarded as the hardest puncher in the heavyweight division? On paper it doesnt seem likely, but 38-year-old James Toney (69-4-2, 43 KOs) defies the odds every single time he enters the ring for a heavyweight bout. 

When he enters the ring at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, 25-year-old Samuel Peter(26-1, 22 KOs) will be standing across the ring. Unlike Toney's prior heavyweight opponents, Peter is a young fighter with limited boxing skills, but possesses an abundance of punching power.

Toney is not getting any younger, and we are not sure if Peter has corrected any of the cracks in his armor that were evident in his 2005 meeting with Wladimir Klitschko in Atlantic City. Both fighters have experienced conditioning problems in recent fights. It would not be out of the ordinary to see both of them punched out at various points in the fight.

The staff of BoxingScene comes together to voice their strategies, opinions and predictions for the big fight.

Tim Smith - If the referee doesn't allow Sam Peter to hit Toney in the back of the head like he did against Wladimir Klitschko and Jeremy Williams, then Toney will win. If not, then Toney will get KO'ed. I still like Toney by decision. Don't think he has enough power to KO Peter, but has enough ring smarts to outbox him.

Charles Jay - James Toney by unanimous decision.

Ron Borges - Peter is so raw and unrefined that he would not actually be a difficult opponent for as well-schooled a boxer as Toney, were it not for that frying pan. Jumping into it is not the problem; throwing some chicken wings into it is the problem.

If Toney is in any shape other than round, he should easily outbox Peter, who dropped Klitschko three times when they met but probably didn't win another three seconds of the fight the entire night, which is how he managed to lose the decision. That he failed to win then, while also being unable to finish Klitschko when he had him hurt, points to his biggest problem: He doesn't know how to fight.

Hank Kaplan - I think Toney's time has come, his body appears to be falling apart from age and weight gain. Samuel Peter by knockout.

Alphonso Costello - James Toney should out-box Samuel Peter with his defensive and counter-punching skills. Those skills should lead him to victory, but Toney's conditioning may determine the outcome of this fight. Whether it's fat or muscle, a heavier Toney will find it difficult to box at an effective pace.

Conversely, Peter is the fresher, younger and stronger fighter. However, a one-dimensional arsenal and the lack of pure boxing skills is Peter's greatest weakness. Peter needs to execute a basic gameplan to defeat a tough and skillful boxer like Toney. This fight is too close to call. So, I had to flip a coin.

 

James Toney (tails) defeats Samuel Peter by unanimous decision.

Keith Terceira - Samuel Peter has been concentrating on throwing straighter punches in the gym, while James Toney, well who knows if he has yet made it to the gym. Problem is that Toney is so freakishly experienced that even at those times that he fails to train he brings a big heart and a bigger bag of tricks.

Standing in the center of the ring trading bombs with the Nigerian is not the smart thing to do for the entire fight, so I am expecting Toney to sharpshoot some from the outside then slide in and go to work.

We may see Toney to get inside of Peter's looping punches and work the body when he can, throwing uppercuts, and hooking in the clinches. Some rope-a-dope when Peter is to aggressive for him. While this will work in the early rounds I feel that if Peter keeps on punching those arms and shoulders it will sap Toney's strength and bring Sam the victory;  Peter has the power to stop but Toney has the experience to drag this battle to the end.

Mike Casey -  Samuel Peter can certainly blow 'em away, but can he do any more against opponents of the toughest caliber? James Toney has never been knocked out and I don't expect this to be the first time. It is equally difficult to see 'Lights Out' being outpointed, unless lugging all that beef around makes him go to sleep. Peter, for my money, has greater worries in that department, and I wonder how exasperated and tired he will become if he fails to nail down a throwback boxing master who will be rolling, slipping, feinting and countering all the time.

 

Toney by unanimous decision if he is still as ambitious as he claims.

Ron Gallegos - Classic battle between the young, raw, hard-hitting puncher in the division and the crafty veteran who has eluded KO punches from some of the best fighters in the sport - past and present. 

 

It's difficult to go against James.  He's always come through in the past; he rolls and dodges punches away and has a very good chin. But a punch from Samuel Peter, he's never felt the ferocity of that one.  Samuel is raw and argueably has the hardest punch in all of boxing.  But, he has to catch James with that punch.

Toney is not getting any younger, but he still possesses the cockiness that encompasses his persona.  Does he have one last hurrah within him to take the young Goliath? I saw James at the last fight at the Pechanga, and he looked to have trimmed down.  He's definitely taking this one seriously.  Whether that will be enough to overcome Peter’s power is the question. 

My Bet and prediction: Never count James out.  His craftiness and his veteran's knowledge of the game will carry him through to a decision.

James "Lights Out" Toney by unanimous decision. 

Tom Donelson - It is hard to bet against James Toney. He is one of the master boxers of our generation and has been able to hold his own against the big boys as well.  Samuel Peter is one of the big punchers of the division. His weakness was exposed against Wladimir Klitschko, namely the lack of basic technical skills. He failed to cut off the ring and consistently used his head to block Klitschko's jab. The only thing that kept the fight competitive was his power as he sent Wladimir down three times. Without those three knockdowns, this fight would have been an easy shutout.

As it was, Wladimir won an easy decision despite hitting the canvas three times. This fight will show if he learned his lesson from that fight. If he had, he will win. If not, he will lose a decision. I am betting that Peter has learned his lesson and will take a major step toward a championship bout.

Bradley Yeh - Straight up, I should announce that I am biased towards James Toney as a fighter, as I genuinely believe the guy is a throwback old-school operator. Toney runs from no one, and he says what he thinks. I know it’s not always pretty, but James is ready to fight anyone that wants to shut him up, and that’s a lot more than most.

This is an interesting fight to consider, as Peter has good size and great power, he also believes in himself and he comes to fight. Perhaps more of a factor is that Peters doesn’t seem to allow himself to be intimidated by Toney. In Toney’s world if you don’t fear him you disrespect him. Anyone who disrespects him, or even imagines it, (or anyone that breathes), must be both, publicly punished and publicly humiliated. That’s just Toney. Like it or hate it, Toney really is one bad dude. If ever there was a guy that loves to fight and inflict pain surely it’s James Toney. Who would have predicted and then executed a KO win over Holyfield as Toney did, particularly when it’s your first heavyweight fight? Well, Toney did.

I have always found it difficult to go against Toney with a prediction because he is so damn good and very experienced and extremely confident. So much so that these factors offset what is usually a prerequisite in boxing – “ultimate conditioning”. I actually think Peter has the power to drop Toney. But can he land the shot flush when required? If Toney were 3 years younger I would say no definitely. Can Peter capitalize on a KD and then KO Toney if it happens? No, I believe Toney is way too skilful to let that happen. Right now the intrigue for me is how well Toney at this stage of his career responds to a youthful mix of disrespect, enthusiasm and power, such as that which the nightmare represents. Peters is young and very hungry, and he will be dangerous for 5 rounds maximum.

However, I believe that Peter is no more of a threat than Rahman or Holyfield was. Peter appears to have more holes in his offence than Rahman, and there's little defense there to offer resistance. That’s not good if you're fighting a guy like Toney with his footwork and punch repertoire. I think if Toney’s conditioning is better than his last fight, (it should be based on Toney’s reasoning), then Peter will be in all kinds of trouble after round 5. After that it’s all Toney’s skill and speed, and centre-ring trash talking. Samuel’s chance is not much more than a puncher’s chance, but what will happen if he can't keep up to James technically? And there is nothing to suggest that he can. In the latter rounds of the fight Toney will announce a new employment contract to redefine the nature of their association. Toney will be there close, right on him, counterpunching, and talking to him as Peter’s pimp-master - as only Toney does.

Toney seems to genuinely dislike Peter, and considering that Toney creates enough trouble and damage with most outings when not motivated; a motivated Toney is not someone I am prepared to bet against, particularly with a guy as inexperienced in the big league as Peters is. Toney knows the importance of winning this fight after all the talk and after the Rahman draw – he can no longer claim to be the best if Peter wins. This will push James in the right direction.

Worst-case scenario; Toney goes down early from a Peter power shot, he gets up adjusts the defence offence ratio suitably, and then makes it into the middle rounds. From there Peters learns a stern lesson in counterpunching as the fight goes into the late rounds and produces a points decision in favour for James lights out Toney. I see Toney winning this fight convincingly and enjoying the level of exposure that Peter’s jaw has as he throws punches. I don’t think it’s out of the question for Toney to KO Peters.

JE Grant - Samuel Peter will step forward as the world’s top heavyweight without a “world” title on Saturday night. He will also turn the “Lights Out” on the illusion of heavyweight greatness that the skilled multi-weight James Toney has created. No one can deny Toney’s place as a top all-time fighter – and sure bet hall of fame career – but his weight class and time has passed.

It shouldn’t go unnoticed that he holds no victories in the division against legitimate top 10 fighters. His draw against Hasim Rahman was a gift – to Toney. Young Sam won’t be denied and his power will reign supreme as Toney yields space in order to attempt to fight off the ropes. As Toney fades, the big man will continue to pound and inasmuch as Peter is nowhere near as skilled as Toney he won’t even pretend to try to outbox or outfox the veteran. Nor should he. Youth will be served.

Peter by KO in 7.

Joe Harrison - This should be an interesting fight. Although Samuel Peter is a very strong puncher, Toney is a better boxer with a lot of experience. I don't think age has caught up with him yet.

 

Toney by decision

Jim Cawkwell - When you speak of James Toney, you speak of a man once considered pound-for-pound the best fighter in boxing. Toney is seemingly a man with few idols, but Sugar Ray Robinson would be one of them, and the pound-for-pound championship was invented for Robinson; therefore, having held such a prestigious moniker, a special aura accompanies Toney to the ring even now.

 

Twelve years of Burger King patronage have added to Toney's waist, but to this very day, he has continued to add to his legacy in the ring. Woeful in comparison to his own high standards against Rahman, Toney was still judged on even terms with the then heavyweight champion of the world. At his best, he has more talent, defensive ability and the punch resistance to better any heavyweight in the world.

 

Money motivates fighters, but so do great challenges. In Samuel Peter, Toney has a real challenge to overcome en route to what he says is his goal of unifying the heavyweight division.

 

Peter's plan will not include finesse and technique, but rather to make Toney feel the wrath of the younger, far stronger fighter. Underrated speed is another weapon Peter holds, and one that, if he is diligent throughout, may serve him very well.

 

Toney will come in around 230-pounds - lighter than for Rahman - knowing that he will need to be sometimes evasive and sometimes authoritative to deal with Peter's aggressive 260-pound powerhouse.

 

Irresistible as Peter's power seems, I have to draw on the historical evidence that proves that Toney should be able to bewitch the less experienced pugilist into fighting his way. Toney will tame the beast and entertain the crowd before taking the hard-earned unanimous decision.

Rusty Rubin - Boxer Toney vs. Puncher Peter. Your can predict the type of fight it will be by their styles. I'll take Toney to win a close decision.

Brent Matteo Alderson - I think Samuel Peter wins the fight convincingly and possibly by knockout.  And yes, I realize that Toney has never been knocked out.  Hell, I think he's only been dropped twice and those two knock downs were against Reggie Johnson and Roy Jones in 91 and 94, but this is 2006 and Toney is a 38-year-old former middleweight champion fighting against argueably the hardest puncher in the heavyweight division.  Plus Toney has come in at a new career high for each of his last four fights and two of those were for major organizational titles so I'm not sure what type of shape he's going to get into for this scrap. 

It's just a hunch, but I feel like Toney's lack of genuine size is really going to hurt him against Peter and that there is a good chance that Samuel will end Toney's career as a world class heavyweight.  Toney might be able to outslick him for a few rounds and land his counter right, but eventually the experience that Peter gained from fighting Wlad will come out and he'll realize he can't hit Toney flush on the chin and eventually start going to his body.

TK Stewart - Styles make fights and this is a close fight not so much because of Sam Peter's ability, but because of James Toney's self imposed inability - namely his physical condition.

I see Sam Peter as a green, overanxious, lummox.  Big Sam demonstrated to the world his shortcomings when he fought Wladimir Klitschko and won three rounds of a twelve round fight.  Sam showed us that he is one dimensional and short on stamina.  Against Klitschko he threw only 440 punches and landed a scant 100 and Wladimir has never been considered hard to hit.

Say what you will about James Toney being old and fat - he still threw and landed more punches in his fights against Ruiz and Rahman than Sam Peter did against Wladimir Klitschko.  Toney is quite active even in his obese condition.  Obese you say?  Using the Body Mass Index chart Toney rates a 34.7 based on his height and weight and any score above 30 is obese. Having said that he is still crafty and tricky enough to counterpunch and roll with Sam Peter's punches.  I think Peter will throw big bombs and most will miss their target.  Toney will respond with his quick-handed counters and land more shots.

I look for Toney to take close a 12 round decision.

“JC” Jerry Casarez - This is one of the easiest predictions I’ve made in quite some time. Easy I say because on paper you have two fighters that couldn’t be anymore opposite from each other. James Toney is brash, flashy and lacks no confidence when the cameras are rolling. Samuel Peter is quiet, humble and a guy who says few words when he speaks. In the ring this pattern continues. Toney is known as being an old school fighter who loves to counter on his opponent’s mistakes.

I was shocked to see how many various writers and experts were writing off Toney and being sold on the idea that Peter would somehow stop or hurt James. Look I know that in boxing all it takes is one punch to get a man out of there. On that note you would have to realize that Toney is one of the best when it comes to avoiding big shots. He uses movement at the waist and shoulder rolls to make the big men miss fight after fight. Another thing you have to ask yourself is when have you ever seen James get stopped or even hurt? Never! I mean no disrespect to Samuel Peter who serves his purpose as an exciting addition to the Heavyweight division. He’s a strong, heavy handed puncher who tries to end each fight with every shot. Those strengths will also be his weakness when he meets Lights Out Sat night in Los Angeles.

Look for Peter to come out swinging with his typical wide looping punches in search of catching Toney cold or flush. James being one of the most relaxed fighters ever will avoid the early storm and will look to pick Peter apart with straight right hand counters and well placed body shots. I expect to see Samuel tire about the mid rounds as he has looked as heavy as he’s ever been while Toney seems to be in his best shape since the Evander Holyfield fight. James takes him into the deep waters of the late rounds where the punching volume will be too much for the bigger Peter. I like James “Lights Out” Toney with a UD or even a late stoppage when Peter hits the wall physically.

Don Colgan - Toney will be exposed, and dominated.  He only contends because of the lack of strength in the heavyweight class. This will be Peter's "breakout" victory and elevate him to high contender status.

Peter will score repeatedly.  Toney will battle hard and stay close

because of his heart and still formidable desire. Yet the youth and power of Peter will hurt Toney time and again.  Look for one or two late knockdowns and a very battered James Toney by round seven.

Peter by 10th round TKO. 

Richard McManus - Peter stands a chance if he can impose his size and power on Toney.  However, I think he has enough holes in his attack to keep Toney busy countering and moving long enough to at least win a majority of rounds.

Predicition: Toney by close decision

Dave Wilcox - I want to say so badly that the younger and stronger Samuel Peter will walk right through the sometimes weight-challenged James Toney. I just can't do it. Even though Peter's power is intriguing, I just can't see him being able to land it enough to get to James. Toney will be too slick for Peter. I see Peter going all out early, looking for the knockout but failing. Toney will out slick him and Peter will punch himself out. James will once again be the man to fear in the Heavyweight division after his stunning TKO victory over Peter.

 

Toney by TKO in 10

Eric Rineer - These are two great warriors who will give us everything they've got on Saturday night. I've got James "Lights Out" Toney as a slight favorite in the bout with his speed and past history in big fights. Sam Peter is naturally the bigger fighter and I don't see him getting knocked out. I think James, actually, may survive a knockdown and win this fight in a heated contest. Sam Peter continually gets better and will pose a lot of problems for James.

It won't be easy but I'm picking James to eke out a tough decision victory by perhaps a single point.

James Blears - This is a fascinating match up, because it matches a powerful big guy with a punch, but who still needs to burnish his skills, against an extremely talented, paunchy  little guy who’s lacking a Sunday punch in a division too far.

IF Toney has FINALLY got into some sort of shape, we’re in for a long yet entertaining night. However, I have a feeling his condition will not be tip top, and that Peter will be pound for pound the more powerful. Toney is cute and he’ll need to be because if he’s under par physically he’ll only be able to chip at the edges of a rough hewn unfinished article, while risking some ham fisted power blasts.

I fancy Peter for a lop sided unanimous points win, with pride holding Toney up for the full twelve.

Kevin Kincade - September 2nd the James Toney heavyweight express will come to a screeching halt as he meets his Waterloo in the form of the “Nigerian Nightmare”, Samuel Peter.  While it is true that James is, by far, the most skilled and defensively adept man north of 200 Lbs, it’s also true that he’s traveled too far north of 200 Lbs in his last three fights.  While the excess poundage didn’t hurt him against John Ruiz or Dominick Guinn, surely it cost him the WBC championship against Rahman; and should he come into the ring in similar shape against the 25 year old Peter, it’s going to cost him the distinction of never having been stopped in his professional career.

To be honest, I’m not even sure the weight is going to be an issue for the 38 year old former Middleweight.  I’m sure he thinks he’ll slip and slide, juke and jive, and counter the ponderous Nigerian to death over the course of this fight; but I fail to see how being a stationary, if not elusive, target for the big punching Peter can be a healthy game plan for a man who can not hurt him.  At last report, James weighed close to 230; and two-thirty or anywhere near it is too-much for James because he will not be able to use the same tactic against Peter that has worked so well against lighter punching opposition.  Peter does not care where he hits Toney; whether its arms, ribs, head, gloves, or elbows, it doesn’t matter so long as he makes contact.  And, for one, I can’t see how James can last twelve rounds with this young, hungry, powerful 25 year old who would love nothing more that to turn him into a 230 Lb greasy spot on the canvas.

Toney could turn in another counter-punching masterpiece on September 2nd ; but I don’t think so.  I think this is one too many trips to the well.  Toney’s journey through the land of Odd ends Saturday night, for skill without conditioning will only get you so far.  If Toney comes in close to 220, then a decision is not out of the question, provided he still knows how to move; but if he employs the same game plan against Peter he’s been using since invading the heavyweight division, it will be lights out for “Lights-Out”.

Peter by 8th Round TKO.

John Hively - This is a semi-tough call because Toney doesn’t always come into fights in the best of condition. Peter is naturally bigger and stronger, and a far more powerful puncher than his opponent. His only problem is that his skill level is very low for a heavyweight contender. James Toney is far more skillful. There’s simply no comparison between the two in this regard. But Toney has problems getting into shape, and he is unlikely to be able to hurt his opponent at all. I can see Peter going to Toney’s flabby body and punching out a win, maybe by kayo, but Samuel isn’t a big fan of body punching, at least not when I’ve seen him.

I wish I knew what Toney’s fighting weight is before making this prediction, but I don’t have any such luxury. The heavier Toney comes into the fight though, the more likely Peter will chop him down and take him out if he goes to the body consistently. Assuming that he comes in weighing less than say 232 pounds, my best guess is that James will win a fairly wide decision, but expect Peter to have his moments.

David P. Greisman - James Toney by decision, but with a caveat. Although Toney insists that, as a heavyweight, the poundage he brings into the ring matters less than the pounding he dishes out, against the chin and power of Samuel Peter he will need all the deftness a slimmed-down body provides. Should Toney arrive in shape, he can roll, duck and weave away from Peter's wide power punches, countering and avoiding Peter's tendency to throw rabbit punches on the inside. Otherwise, if Toney shows up out of shape, he will be too slow and too stationary a target against Peter's clobbering punches, which come from a fighter who is never too discouraged to unleash offense.

Terence Dooley - I go for Toney on points, a wide UD, due to the fact Peter is a very average heavyweight that is hyped beyond belief for KO-ing the rock-chinned (since when!) Jeremy Williams with a slow left hook. Peter is small and compact, but swings his punches so widely Toney should be able to block them with ease and counter Peter into a bloody mess.

To beat Toney up, Peter will need to step across James and open-up with fast, accurate punches, I don't see Sam being able to do this at all. The only fear for Toney is that his chin is finally cracked but if this is the case it would be against a fast, crisp puncher who can catch him with a follow-up shot.

For me, Peter hits solidly, but not as spectacularly as many think. Holyfield hit Toney with crisper shots than we can expect Peter to land. If Toney is unfit he could get pounded into a defeat but that is unlikely. Toney will thrive on this fight and produce his best heavyweight performance.

Expect Toney to be crying out: "Next!" After this fight.

Sammy Rozenberg - Toney by a disputed split decision, after Peter appears to have won at least 7 rounds of the fight. Peter winning the early to middle rounds, and Toney stealing the final few from a tired Peter.

Glenn Wilson - Toney showed in the Rahman fight that he believes he can beat anyone even when he is not in shape, and I really believe that Toney thinks that Peter  is a strong , but raw Heavyweight who is not in his class. Big mistake, I believe Peter eventually lands a big punch and stops Toney in 8.

Mike Indri - The only real question is what type of "fighting shape" James Toney will enter the ring in, not that it will change the outcome of the fight; only it's course.

James Toney is a fighter, and a great one at that, while Samuel Peter is not; and does not appear committed to make the necessary sacrifices to learn his craft. 

Peter is a big guy with a big punch and in today's heavyweight division that makes him a "contender", years ago that would have relegated the limited Nigerian puncher to the more appropriate role of "sparring partner".

Toney has only himself to blame for his not receiving the accolades that he truly deserves.  His abrupt and gruff outward appearence towards the media (actually, he is a good guy) coupled with his reluctance towards training and getting himself into proper fighting condition enables detractors to overlook his greatness, and his remarkable career achievements.

Toney will prove that Sam Peter has no business being in the same ring with him Saturday night, and I don't think Toney will let the judges have a say in the matter.

 

James Toney over Samuel Peter via late round TKO.

Dr. Peter Edwards - Samuel Peter by decision after Toney, and not Peter, gets tired late in the fight. I think Peter has no choice, but to win this fight. Toney can claim he was too small and people will buy it. Peter can't make any excuses for losing to a fighter that won his first title at 160 pounds.

George Phillips - Samuel Peter will prevail over James Toney.   Toney is a skilled fighter and deserves all the credit in the world, but everyone's reign must come to an end and Sam Peter is the man to dethrone Toney.  If Peter can stick to his game plan, he will win a decision over Toney.  Toney must keep a sharp eye on every move Peter makes as Toney can find himself staring at the lights just as Jeremy Williams did.

 

Peter by split decision.

Mike Dunn - This is a tough one to call. I like Toney's savvy but it's hard to go against Peter's punching power.

I really suspect that youth will be served in this one. James hasn't knocked anyone out in three years and it seems almost certain he will have to go the distance vs. Peter to win. That means standing firm against a lot of hard leather for a long time.

Toney has had a remarkable career and is still a remarkable fighter, but everyone has to bow to Father Time. Toney is 38 and, unfortunately, this could be his night to yield to the combined forces of nature and the force of his opponent's fists.

Toney will hold his own through four or five rounds, making Peter miss and also making him pay. Toney will tire after that, though, as the accumulation of Peter's shots and the pressure applied take a toll. I like Peter by TKO in the eighth or ninth round.

Paul Gallegos - Both men come into this contest with their boxing

lives on the line.  James is trying to keep the last remnants of a career going, while Samuel is trying to justify his top 10 ranking.  It is a question of the slick, experienced boxer in James Toney verses the young one-punch KO power (ask Jeremy Williams) of Samuel Peter.  Conditioning is going to play a part in this one.  Is James going to come into the match in shape--(James, round is not a shape) or will Samuel simply apply heavyweight pressure to a blown up middleweight?

In terms of power vs the boxer, it is usually the slick boxer who can win these types of matches.  Everyone knows that Toney's chin is granite and no one in the division is more masterful of the art of boxing than James, but at some point, age does catch up to everyone.  If Peter can get Toney pinned on the ropes early, I don't expect Toney to weather the onlsaught.  If James turns it into a boxing match, then a tactical hard-fought decision could be his.  I am going with age and experience to overcome the youth and power.  Toney will win a very close 115-113 decision on all three cards.

Rick Reeno - For some reason, this fight reminds me of Chris Byrd vs. David Tua. The slick boxer with almost no power in his punches, Chris Byrd, took on a monster puncher in David Tua, who at the time was only beaten by Ike Ibeabuchi and Lennox Lewis. On paper most experts had Byrd a heavy underdog. I remember watching the fight and expecting Tua to knock Byrd out in every round.

Byrd proved against Tua that it takes a lot more than size and power to win a fight. Byrd allowed Tua to trap him against the ropes and pound away with punches, while blocking almost all of Tua's shots with his arms and countering with scoring blows.

By the fifth round of the fight, Tua was exhuasted from beating on Byrd against the ropes. At one point Tua even dropped his hands because he was so tired and allowed Byrd to land head shots, and Byrd's lack of power in his punches caused nothing more than a smile to appear on Tua's face. After it was all said and done, Byrd won an easy unanimous decision.

There are similar aspects in Toney-Peter, and some differences. Peter is not a harder puncher than Tua, and is more one-dimensional than Tua. On the other hand, Toney is a better defensive wizard than Byrd, punches harder than Byrd and had decent hand speed.

Unless Toney gets old overnight, I expect him to win a decision by a 7-5 margin.