Why was James Toney so active in his early career?

[abadger]

I've been watching some old James Toney fights and it made me realise something I never picked up on before, he used to fight LOADS, at the time he fought Barkley he had had eight title fights in 21 months and before that he'd been fighting once every two months or something! Larry Merchant said you would have to go back fifty years to find as active a champion!

Why? Did he and his management just want to make money fast? Did they know he could be the man and wanted to make the most of it before RJJ came along? Or was it just a means of stopping his weight getting out of control, was the problem so bad that he just HAD to keep fighting to stay in shape?

Anyone know?

[ИATAS]

yeah, it's crazy seeing an active NON-MEXICAN fighter with a combined record of over 70 fights and under 40 years old.

[RichCCFC]

My guess would be the latter.

He's always had weight issues from what I gather.

[RichCCFC]

Toney has had 80 fights mate.

Well, 79 fights and 1 NC (Ruiz).

[ИATAS]

Toney has had 80 fights mate.

Well, 79 fights and 1 NC (Ruiz).

that's true, thanks.

[Hitman932]

James Toney used to fight so often i thought it was the norm. As a kid there would be a story about Toney fighting in the Ann Arbor News every couple of weeks

[oldgringo]

I'd suspect some of it has to do with the fact that he simply loves to fight. Dude is one of the only recent fighters that deserve to be called old school. James fought everyone and anyone. The second half of your guess must have a good deal to do with this as well. Fighting often was a way to keep in shape for a guy like James who always struggled with weight.

[Boogie Nights]

he didnt have a dead line. the man loved to fight. ive seen an interview where he talks about his training habits, and how he hates long lay offs. that was back in the day though, since then he obviously slowed down a bit. but james was old school, he liked to fight and didnt leave the gym too often. guys like tyson also steayed active especially when he was coming up, fighting every 2-3 weeks.

i always admired that about any fighter who keeps an active schedule. i dont understand fighting once and then coming back in 4-5 months. there's a big gap there.

[ИATAS]

James Toney used to fight so often i thought it was the norm. As a kid there would be a story about Toney fighting in the Ann Arbor News every couple of weeks

damn, i wish more fighters still did this. Instead of the "greats" blessing us with one fight a year, or if we're really, really lucky, twice.