Why did James Toney get so lazy?

[SlySlickSmooth]

I haven't been around boxing for even a year, but have taken the time to watch many fights. I enjoy watching Toney, and looking at his resume he was a very active fighter back when he was a MW/SMW, then all the sudden it seems he just got lazy and fought less and gained a lot of weight by the time 2000 came around.

Anyone got info on Toney they could share?

[hectari]

Talent, that's what happened to him, he got complacent because he knew he was that good and never bothered staying in shape.

This happens with people who are very talented, example Randy Moss he had god given speed and reflexes but he played half assed, Jerry Rice was one of the slowest wide receivers I believe he had like a 4. 7 or 4.8, 40 yard time which is very slow some big tacklers have faster times than that, but he made up for it with his desire, ambition, drive and hardwork ethic.

[Doctor_Tenma]

[SlySlickSmooth]

Talent, that's what happened to him, he got complacent because he knew he was that good and never bothered staying in shape.

This happens with people who are very talented, example Randy Moss he had god given speed and reflexes but he played half assed, Jerry Rice was one of the slowest wide receivers I believe he had like a 4. 7 or 4.8, 40 yard time which is very slow some big tacklers have faster times than that, but he made up for it with his desire, ambition, drive and hardwork ethic.

That's what I was thinking, watching him as a SMW was really "beautiful." Great displays of boxing.

[SlySlickSmooth]

Lmao, damn I wish I was around to see that **** on tv.

[Jcsuper]

Toney claims that he has weight problem since medication he took back in the time. Is it true or just excuses, i don't really know.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/639274-james-toney-claims-weight-gain-due-to-thyroid-and-low-testosterone-problems

[hectari]

That's what I was thinking, watching him as a SMW was really "beautiful." Great displays of boxing.

yes, he was really skilled, he said he trained himself by watching and copying old school boxers on video and shadow boxing in the mirror, he basically trained himself like that till he went to an actual gym.

He was a very patient boxer, he was slick but not boring, he stayed in the pocket a lot and rarely moved on his feet most of his stuff was upper body defense and counters very fun to watch.

He started having a problem with his weight when he started eating a lot and than he gave up jogging and he never used to hit the speed or heavybags or do jump rope because he felt they were useless, all his training consisted of sparring, its why he is punch drunk.

[Mato o Muero]

Toney is one of my favorites, I always wished he woulda stayed in shape. Woulda loved to see Toney vs Hopkins even at like 175.

[hectari]

Imagine if Toney had great work ethic and ate healthy year round? he would have probably been the greatest boxer of all times. No joke.

he was a waste of talent.

[SlySlickSmooth]

Imagine if Toney had great work ethic and ate healthy year round? he would have probably been the greatest boxer of all times. No joke.

he was a waste of talent.

Yep, it sucks he wasn't even able to get a ton of matches back then too. Primarily I would of loved to see him vs Hopkins.