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Toney Vs Rahman - And the New Heavyweight Champion of the World Is?
By Kenneth Henderson - March 13, 2006
On Saturday March 18th, 2006, HBO brings an eagerly anticipated heavyweight fight that in this division has to be fight of the year thus far, on paper. The fans at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey are bundles of excitement and anxious commotion when lightning flashes through the air and the lights go out in the arena. Suddenly the tune of "Another One Bites the Dust" comes blaring over the load speakers as the spotlight focuses on the aisle way that now holds the challenger for tonight's contest: James Toney. The crowd erupts as the look on Toney's face shows the determination that the former Champion is carrying on his shoulders. With the fans collapsing on the entrance way to the ring, Toney's entourage is forced to part the spectators like the Red Sea so their gladiator can enter the "Lion's Den".
The spotlight suddenly veers across the building to the opposite walkway. The opposition for tonight's encounter features not a true lion, but a rock. Not just any rock, but a hardened, chiseled piece of granite. The WBC Heavyweight Champion Hasim Rahman has emerged from the isolated tunnel to a packed house of boxing fanatics. Nodding his approval of the raucous crowd, "The Rock" begins his descent into the pugil pit. Stepping between the ropes, the two warriors lock eyes and temporarily freeze the moment; much like a bull and a matador before the final charge. Neither of the contestants has forgotten the altercation they were involved in shortly after this fight was signed.
As the two pugilists enter the center of the ring for their instructions, trash talking is already going. The referee has to silence them so he can complete his instructions on the fight. Stealing a page from Antonio Tarver, James Toney tells Rahman "ain't nobody here to stop us now". Grinning his acceptance of the defiant challenger, "The Rock" simply replies, "let's do this".
The opening bell rings and the taller Rahman rushes to the center of the ring. A little anxious to mix it up, his first punch is a big right hand that just misses the unsuspecting Toney. The chess match has begun with a series of "feeling out" jabs. Rahman throws a left-right combination that finds a home. Moving in to follow up, he is caught by a counter left hook. Toney using his boxing prowess is bobbing and weaving like he was still a middleweight. As the round is coming to an end, Toney is sticking and moving with more frequency and appears to be frustrating heavy- handed Rahman. Round One ends. 10-9 Toney.
The instructions in the corner of the Rock appear to have hit home as the wily veteran settles down to work the boxing skill that he has been forced to learn. Not expecting a knockout early, Rahman is content trying to cut off the ring and fire multiple combinations at the elusive Toney. Toney is dangerous in the pocket; deflecting the shots and scoring in close. He stays in the pocket to score some quick body blows and backs out. Round two is another Toney round, 10- 9.
Round three picks up where round two left off. Toney moving in and out gets complacent and feels untouchable. The Rock reminds him who he is in with as he scores a big right hand in close. Rahman follows Toney around firing combinations at Toney who is firing back, but not nearly as effectively. The right lands several more times for Rahman as the round ends, giving him the edge in round three: 10- 9 Rahman.
Round four begins with Toney working past the jab of Rahman and getting into the pocket. "Lights out" seems to be content on the inside working the body of the big man. Much like Paul Bunyan would chop a tree, Toney is firing effective right hands to the left side of Rahman's body. Rock scores a good uppercut in close, but it did little to phase the iron- chinned Toney. The body attack of Toney is taking effect as Rahman's hands are coming down a little more frequently. Round four goes to Toney 10- 9.
Being told in the corner to use the jab, Rahman does just that in round five. The action has slowed a little as both fighters can be seen taking some deep breaths between exchanges. Not a lot of action in this round as the fighters search for a second wind. The jab proved effective enough to win this round for Rahman, 10- 9.
Round six shows Toney working though the jab again to get back into the pocket. Not as active as before once in there, the two begin the tying up and push each other around. Rahman uses his height advantage to lean on Toney trying to tire him down. As the ten second warning is sounded while the two are entangled, Toney unloads a right to the rib cage that separates them enough for Rahman to land a huge right hand that catches Toney flush as the bell sounds. Round six goes to Rahman, 10- 9.
Awoken from his lullaby trance by the previous right hand, Toney begins round seven as the aggressor. Moving into the pocket to dodge or deflect the big punches, Toney is targeting the mid- section of the Rock. "Lights Out" is starting to put some three and four punch combinations together and is working well with his back against the ropes. As connects mount up, Toney wins this round 10- 9.
Rahman starts round eight with signs that the body attack of Toney is working. His hands are held lower than in previous rounds looking to protect the beaten mid- section. Rahman refuses to give Toney the inside and fires the jab with greater frequency. Toney is not phased by the change in strategy, adapts to the outside game well. The bobbing and weaving of Toney is causing the jab to miss more than hit. Firing back jabs and combinations of his own, Toney is connecting, but nothing of significant power. Toney heads to the corner winning this round 10- 9.
As they come off the stool for round nine, Rahman increases his work rate. Doubling up the jab followed by the right hand is having some success. Toney working to get back in the pocket and avoid the barrage, is caught on the chin as he is walking in. Temporarily stopping Toney in his tracks, Rahman senses Toney is hurt. He moves forward throwing big rights and lefts. Toney recovers quickly as he grabs Rahman and holds on. The round ends in a clinch, with Rahman getting the cards at 10-9.
Rahman comes out for round ten a little careless. He is still trying to capitalize on the damage done in the previous round. As he bulls ahead midway through the round, Toney fires a beautiful right uppercut that knocks Rahman off balance and his glove touches the canvas. The flash knockdown did not hurt Rahman as he was never fully went down, but he had to take the standing eight count. Never in a hurry, Toney goes back to the body for the remainder of the round, as Rahman misses his wild shots as he tries to even up the knockdown category. Toney takes round ten on a 10- 8 round.
Round eleven begins and Rahman seems tired. Toney goes back to the body, systematically chipping away at the Rock. Content with working with his back against the ropes, "Poetry is in Motion" as Toney is landing multiple punch combinations for every single punch Rahman can land. Rahman senses urgency and is throwing wild shots. Looping right hands are being deflected and the jab is connecting with nothing but air. Toney is showing why he has won 43 fights. Toney takes round eleven 10- 9.
At the start of twelve, the gladiators come to the center and touch gloves. Exhaustion is showing on both contestants, and they opt to stay in the center of the ring and trade exchanges. The heavy hands of Rahman seem to be winning the early exchange. Toney backs away and looks to counter punch. Rock presses forward trying to corner Toney so he can unload again. The crafty veteran uses great defense to avoid any further lengthy exchanges. As the ten second warning is sounded, the two act as if it was a well thought out plan and stand toe- to- toe for the final exchange of the evening. The crowd is on their feet roaring at the action. Rahman's success in the two exchanges pulls the score his way for the final round, 10- 9.
With all great fights, there has to be a winner and a loser. The loser of this contestant should not be viewed as a loser; but as a former Champion that put up a great fight, but was out boxed by the more skilled veteran. As Michael Buffer reads off the unanimous decision victory (115-112) and announces, "and the new WBC Heavyweight Champion of the World" the emotions break out on the face of James Toney as he has accomplished his dream of being the Heavyweight Champion of the World.
Toney Vs Rahman - And the New Heavyweight Champion of the World Is?
By Kenneth Henderson - March 13, 2006
On Saturday March 18th, 2006, HBO brings an eagerly anticipated heavyweight fight that in this division has to be fight of the year thus far, on paper. The fans at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey are bundles of excitement and anxious commotion when lightning flashes through the air and the lights go out in the arena. Suddenly the tune of "Another One Bites the Dust" comes blaring over the load speakers as the spotlight focuses on the aisle way that now holds the challenger for tonight's contest: James Toney. The crowd erupts as the look on Toney's face shows the determination that the former Champion is carrying on his shoulders. With the fans collapsing on the entrance way to the ring, Toney's entourage is forced to part the spectators like the Red Sea so their gladiator can enter the "Lion's Den".
The spotlight suddenly veers across the building to the opposite walkway. The opposition for tonight's encounter features not a true lion, but a rock. Not just any rock, but a hardened, chiseled piece of granite. The WBC Heavyweight Champion Hasim Rahman has emerged from the isolated tunnel to a packed house of boxing fanatics. Nodding his approval of the raucous crowd, "The Rock" begins his descent into the pugil pit. Stepping between the ropes, the two warriors lock eyes and temporarily freeze the moment; much like a bull and a matador before the final charge. Neither of the contestants has forgotten the altercation they were involved in shortly after this fight was signed.
As the two pugilists enter the center of the ring for their instructions, trash talking is already going. The referee has to silence them so he can complete his instructions on the fight. Stealing a page from Antonio Tarver, James Toney tells Rahman "ain't nobody here to stop us now". Grinning his acceptance of the defiant challenger, "The Rock" simply replies, "let's do this".
The opening bell rings and the taller Rahman rushes to the center of the ring. A little anxious to mix it up, his first punch is a big right hand that just misses the unsuspecting Toney. The chess match has begun with a series of "feeling out" jabs. Rahman throws a left-right combination that finds a home. Moving in to follow up, he is caught by a counter left hook. Toney using his boxing prowess is bobbing and weaving like he was still a middleweight. As the round is coming to an end, Toney is sticking and moving with more frequency and appears to be frustrating heavy- handed Rahman. Round One ends. 10-9 Toney.
The instructions in the corner of the Rock appear to have hit home as the wily veteran settles down to work the boxing skill that he has been forced to learn. Not expecting a knockout early, Rahman is content trying to cut off the ring and fire multiple combinations at the elusive Toney. Toney is dangerous in the pocket; deflecting the shots and scoring in close. He stays in the pocket to score some quick body blows and backs out. Round two is another Toney round, 10- 9.
Round three picks up where round two left off. Toney moving in and out gets complacent and feels untouchable. The Rock reminds him who he is in with as he scores a big right hand in close. Rahman follows Toney around firing combinations at Toney who is firing back, but not nearly as effectively. The right lands several more times for Rahman as the round ends, giving him the edge in round three: 10- 9 Rahman.
Round four begins with Toney working past the jab of Rahman and getting into the pocket. "Lights out" seems to be content on the inside working the body of the big man. Much like Paul Bunyan would chop a tree, Toney is firing effective right hands to the left side of Rahman's body. Rock scores a good uppercut in close, but it did little to phase the iron- chinned Toney. The body attack of Toney is taking effect as Rahman's hands are coming down a little more frequently. Round four goes to Toney 10- 9.
Being told in the corner to use the jab, Rahman does just that in round five. The action has slowed a little as both fighters can be seen taking some deep breaths between exchanges. Not a lot of action in this round as the fighters search for a second wind. The jab proved effective enough to win this round for Rahman, 10- 9.
Round six shows Toney working though the jab again to get back into the pocket. Not as active as before once in there, the two begin the tying up and push each other around. Rahman uses his height advantage to lean on Toney trying to tire him down. As the ten second warning is sounded while the two are entangled, Toney unloads a right to the rib cage that separates them enough for Rahman to land a huge right hand that catches Toney flush as the bell sounds. Round six goes to Rahman, 10- 9.
Awoken from his lullaby trance by the previous right hand, Toney begins round seven as the aggressor. Moving into the pocket to dodge or deflect the big punches, Toney is targeting the mid- section of the Rock. "Lights Out" is starting to put some three and four punch combinations together and is working well with his back against the ropes. As connects mount up, Toney wins this round 10- 9.
Rahman starts round eight with signs that the body attack of Toney is working. His hands are held lower than in previous rounds looking to protect the beaten mid- section. Rahman refuses to give Toney the inside and fires the jab with greater frequency. Toney is not phased by the change in strategy, adapts to the outside game well. The bobbing and weaving of Toney is causing the jab to miss more than hit. Firing back jabs and combinations of his own, Toney is connecting, but nothing of significant power. Toney heads to the corner winning this round 10- 9.
As they come off the stool for round nine, Rahman increases his work rate. Doubling up the jab followed by the right hand is having some success. Toney working to get back in the pocket and avoid the barrage, is caught on the chin as he is walking in. Temporarily stopping Toney in his tracks, Rahman senses Toney is hurt. He moves forward throwing big rights and lefts. Toney recovers quickly as he grabs Rahman and holds on. The round ends in a clinch, with Rahman getting the cards at 10-9.
Rahman comes out for round ten a little careless. He is still trying to capitalize on the damage done in the previous round. As he bulls ahead midway through the round, Toney fires a beautiful right uppercut that knocks Rahman off balance and his glove touches the canvas. The flash knockdown did not hurt Rahman as he was never fully went down, but he had to take the standing eight count. Never in a hurry, Toney goes back to the body for the remainder of the round, as Rahman misses his wild shots as he tries to even up the knockdown category. Toney takes round ten on a 10- 8 round.
Round eleven begins and Rahman seems tired. Toney goes back to the body, systematically chipping away at the Rock. Content with working with his back against the ropes, "Poetry is in Motion" as Toney is landing multiple punch combinations for every single punch Rahman can land. Rahman senses urgency and is throwing wild shots. Looping right hands are being deflected and the jab is connecting with nothing but air. Toney is showing why he has won 43 fights. Toney takes round eleven 10- 9.
At the start of twelve, the gladiators come to the center and touch gloves. Exhaustion is showing on both contestants, and they opt to stay in the center of the ring and trade exchanges. The heavy hands of Rahman seem to be winning the early exchange. Toney backs away and looks to counter punch. Rock presses forward trying to corner Toney so he can unload again. The crafty veteran uses great defense to avoid any further lengthy exchanges. As the ten second warning is sounded, the two act as if it was a well thought out plan and stand toe- to- toe for the final exchange of the evening. The crowd is on their feet roaring at the action. Rahman's success in the two exchanges pulls the score his way for the final round, 10- 9.
With all great fights, there has to be a winner and a loser. The loser of this contestant should not be viewed as a loser; but as a former Champion that put up a great fight, but was out boxed by the more skilled veteran. As Michael Buffer reads off the unanimous decision victory (115-112) and announces, "and the new WBC Heavyweight Champion of the World" the emotions break out on the face of James Toney as he has accomplished his dream of being the Heavyweight Champion of the World.
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