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"Jirov-Toney rematch appears to be in works
Norm Frauenheim
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 1, 2005 12:00 AM
Their careers went in different directions after the 2003 Fight of the Year, but the paths of Vassiliy Jirov and James Toney might intersect again in a rematch, offering another chance for the winner and only a dead end for the loser.
A sequel to Toney's decision over Jirov for the International Boxing Federation's cruiserweight title 28 months ago emerged as a possibility last week.
Jirov said he has yet to sign for a bout that would happen Oct. 1. advertisement
"It looks like it is very possible," Jirov said Sunday from his home in Fountain Hills.
Jirov has long sought a rematch of a bout - a brawl - that he thought he won.
Meanwhile, Toney's management is casting about for options that would restore credibility eroded by a positive test for steroids after a victory over John Ruiz on April 30 for the World Boxing Association's heavyweight title.
Other possibilities are said to be Kirk Johnson, Matt Skelton and Dominic Guinn, journeymen whose journeys have never included a marketable Fight of the Year.
The bout would be Toney's first since the end of a 90-day suspension.
Toney, who was stripped of the WBA title, said the steroids were part of the prescription in treatment for injuries to his left arm.
Even before the positive test, there were questions about whether Toney, a former middleweight champion, could campaign as a real heavyweight. The steroids only managed to heighten the skepticism.
For a different reason, the same issue confronts Jirov. His credentials as a legitimate heavyweight are doubtful.
After losing his 190-pound title to Toney, he won two more bouts at the weight before moving up the scale. Since then, however, results have been mixed, with a 2-2-1 record, including most recently a draw with Orlin Norris.
There are suggestions that Jirov just isn't big enough, that he would be better off at his old weight, but cruiser money is at the snoozer scale. If he fights Toney, he said, it would be as a heavyweight.
"Of course," said Jirov, who said he is at about 227 pounds. "I feel better, stronger. In a rematch, I would just box more. I won the first one, but I'd be better in the second one. For me, it would be a big fight."
Maybe his biggest."-azcentral.com
Norm Frauenheim
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 1, 2005 12:00 AM
Their careers went in different directions after the 2003 Fight of the Year, but the paths of Vassiliy Jirov and James Toney might intersect again in a rematch, offering another chance for the winner and only a dead end for the loser.
A sequel to Toney's decision over Jirov for the International Boxing Federation's cruiserweight title 28 months ago emerged as a possibility last week.
Jirov said he has yet to sign for a bout that would happen Oct. 1. advertisement
"It looks like it is very possible," Jirov said Sunday from his home in Fountain Hills.
Jirov has long sought a rematch of a bout - a brawl - that he thought he won.
Meanwhile, Toney's management is casting about for options that would restore credibility eroded by a positive test for steroids after a victory over John Ruiz on April 30 for the World Boxing Association's heavyweight title.
Other possibilities are said to be Kirk Johnson, Matt Skelton and Dominic Guinn, journeymen whose journeys have never included a marketable Fight of the Year.
The bout would be Toney's first since the end of a 90-day suspension.
Toney, who was stripped of the WBA title, said the steroids were part of the prescription in treatment for injuries to his left arm.
Even before the positive test, there were questions about whether Toney, a former middleweight champion, could campaign as a real heavyweight. The steroids only managed to heighten the skepticism.
For a different reason, the same issue confronts Jirov. His credentials as a legitimate heavyweight are doubtful.
After losing his 190-pound title to Toney, he won two more bouts at the weight before moving up the scale. Since then, however, results have been mixed, with a 2-2-1 record, including most recently a draw with Orlin Norris.
There are suggestions that Jirov just isn't big enough, that he would be better off at his old weight, but cruiser money is at the snoozer scale. If he fights Toney, he said, it would be as a heavyweight.
"Of course," said Jirov, who said he is at about 227 pounds. "I feel better, stronger. In a rematch, I would just box more. I won the first one, but I'd be better in the second one. For me, it would be a big fight."
Maybe his biggest."-azcentral.com
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