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Thanks to Tae Bo guru, Toney trimmer for Peter rematch
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (AP) -- James Toney removed his nylon running suit, walked by the row of cameras and strode confidently to the scale.
"234," Don King yelled out
And that represented the first of what Toney hopes is a pair of victories this weekend.
When Toney lost a split decision to Nigeria's Samuel Peter in September, he was nine pounds heavier, considerably flabbier and hardly in the shape befitting a heavyweight contender. But after enlisting the help of Tae Bo guru Billy Blanks, Toney believes he's more than ready for Saturday night's rematch against Peter.
"I'm in 150 percent better shape now," Toney said. "And I will show everyone that on Saturday night."
Peter (27-1, 22 knockouts) also trimmed down for the rematch; he was 257 when he got the controversial win over Toney (69-5-3, 43 KOs), and weighed in Thursday afternoon at 249.
"Doesn't matter if he's working with that trainer and his shake-booty," Peter said. "I train with a real trainer. You're going to see what's going to happen."
The winner of this elimination fight gets a mandatory shot at the WBC title against champion Oleg Maskaev, who claimed that belt with a surprising knockout of Hasim Rahman in August and defended it last month with a unanimous decision over Peter Okhello.
"I don't think the Russian will be able to beat either one of these guys," said King, even though Maskaev -- who was born in Kazakhstan -- is an American who only recently received dual citizenship from Russia.
After the first fight, Toney's camp got an offer of help from Blanks, a former martial arts and Golden Gloves champion who's become a fitness icon selling his "Tae Bo" tapes.
Blanks completely changed Toney's workout and eating regimen, putting him on a 1,500-calorie diet and hiring someone to prepare him five small meals a day.
So long, fried foods, carbs, cigars and trips to Toney's favorite, Jerry's Famous Deli.
Hello, boiled lima beans, gallons of water, fish fillets and a mysterious green gunk to cleanse his system.
"I would challenge any boxer to come do what James Toney has done to prepare for this fight," Blanks said. "Not just from a boxing standpoint, because who can train James Toney how to box better? James Toney knows how to box. The thing I've done is bring his athletic ability in line with his boxing."
Naturally, the Peter camp wasn't impressed with Blanks' assessment and since this is boxing, expressed those sentiments loudly during the pre-fight news conference that lasted more than two hours.
"I watched a lot of films on Billy. I watched Billy work on television with those pink gloves on and kicking his legs all up in the air and throwing legs over here and legs over there," said Stacy McKinley, one of Peter's trainers. "I admire your work, but this isn't boxaerobics."
Countered Blanks, rising from his seat on the dais: "Billy Blanks ain't no chump. Billy Blanks has been training for almost 40 years. So when it comes down to it, if Stacy wants to go into the ring with me, I'll go into the ring with him."
And the shouting match went on for a few more minutes, while King stood at center stage waving American flags and both fighters seemed mostly unamused by the proceedings. "Saturday night, James will be ready," Blanks said.
"234," Don King yelled out
And that represented the first of what Toney hopes is a pair of victories this weekend.
When Toney lost a split decision to Nigeria's Samuel Peter in September, he was nine pounds heavier, considerably flabbier and hardly in the shape befitting a heavyweight contender. But after enlisting the help of Tae Bo guru Billy Blanks, Toney believes he's more than ready for Saturday night's rematch against Peter.
"I'm in 150 percent better shape now," Toney said. "And I will show everyone that on Saturday night."
Peter (27-1, 22 knockouts) also trimmed down for the rematch; he was 257 when he got the controversial win over Toney (69-5-3, 43 KOs), and weighed in Thursday afternoon at 249.
"Doesn't matter if he's working with that trainer and his shake-booty," Peter said. "I train with a real trainer. You're going to see what's going to happen."
The winner of this elimination fight gets a mandatory shot at the WBC title against champion Oleg Maskaev, who claimed that belt with a surprising knockout of Hasim Rahman in August and defended it last month with a unanimous decision over Peter Okhello.
"I don't think the Russian will be able to beat either one of these guys," said King, even though Maskaev -- who was born in Kazakhstan -- is an American who only recently received dual citizenship from Russia.
After the first fight, Toney's camp got an offer of help from Blanks, a former martial arts and Golden Gloves champion who's become a fitness icon selling his "Tae Bo" tapes.
Blanks completely changed Toney's workout and eating regimen, putting him on a 1,500-calorie diet and hiring someone to prepare him five small meals a day.
So long, fried foods, carbs, cigars and trips to Toney's favorite, Jerry's Famous Deli.
Hello, boiled lima beans, gallons of water, fish fillets and a mysterious green gunk to cleanse his system.
"I would challenge any boxer to come do what James Toney has done to prepare for this fight," Blanks said. "Not just from a boxing standpoint, because who can train James Toney how to box better? James Toney knows how to box. The thing I've done is bring his athletic ability in line with his boxing."
Naturally, the Peter camp wasn't impressed with Blanks' assessment and since this is boxing, expressed those sentiments loudly during the pre-fight news conference that lasted more than two hours.
"I watched a lot of films on Billy. I watched Billy work on television with those pink gloves on and kicking his legs all up in the air and throwing legs over here and legs over there," said Stacy McKinley, one of Peter's trainers. "I admire your work, but this isn't boxaerobics."
Countered Blanks, rising from his seat on the dais: "Billy Blanks ain't no chump. Billy Blanks has been training for almost 40 years. So when it comes down to it, if Stacy wants to go into the ring with me, I'll go into the ring with him."
And the shouting match went on for a few more minutes, while King stood at center stage waving American flags and both fighters seemed mostly unamused by the proceedings. "Saturday night, James will be ready," Blanks said.
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