Remember that band that you used to love? You never missed a chance to see them perform and bought all their new stuff the first day it was available. But then they put out a string of clunkers and started to get by on who they WERE and you wished they would just hang it up, so as to not further tarnish your fond memories of them.
That's how I feel about James Toney. He fights Hasim Rahman tomorrow night on Fox Sports Net for a pair of alphabet titles recognized by no one. Fresh off a split win over the feared and often ducked Danny Batchelder, Lights Out got back on the winning track after a pair of losses to Sam Peter, bouts in which Toney looked like he was on the Marlon Brando Training System. But his breathtaking win over the great Batchelder came at a steep price. He was found guilty of using horse and bull growth hormones, and who can blame him: he was facing a stern test in the mighty Batchelder.
Add to that the fact that Toney talks shit constantly (or "cuts up", as the kids call it) , and it's clear his act got old a while ago.
I'll watch him slip, roll and counter tomorrow night with tears in my eyes, remembering the night in 2003 when I watched JT beat Vassiliy Jirov in dramatic fashion. When JT put Jirov down in the 12th, my then-girlfriend and I leapt off the sofa and jumped up and down. But that was during the best days of that former relationship, and the joy of watching Toney continues to creep in the same direction....

I just saluted my copmputer monitor Cutman.

It's funny. It seems like not so long ago, I was cheering for Rahman after he turded Lewis in Africa (beginning my infatuation with the big Brit - whole 'nother story)
Rahman never was a good boxer, just a tough kid with a big right hand - which seems to have retired about the same time Rahman should have.

Toney can at least box a little still - even for a guy who looks like a bald version of Shirley Hemphill with bigger tits.

I would bet that Rahman will be the one who is forced into retirement...though I don't think that it will actually happen - he still has about 10 more losses ahead of him...allowing him to stand and shake with greats like Leon Spinks, Jerry Quarrey and Meldrick Taylor (Oh yeah, Quarrey RIP).

Are they having the fight at a nudist colony or biker rally?

FIGHTNEWS:


When James “Lights Out” Toney and Hasim “The Rock” Rahman fought in 2006, the circumstances were much different. Rahman was the WBC titleholder, while Toney was viewed as a legit heavyweight contender, maybe the best heavyweight in the world. Although the fight ended in a majority draw, many felt that Toney did enough to merit the victory. Since that meeting, however, both fighters have been on a downslide. Toney has won just once in three fights, and that victory has been marred due to a positive steroid test. Rahman was knocked out in his next fight by Oleg Maskaev, and even though he’s won four straight, they’ve come against nondescript opposition.

On Wednesday night at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California and broadcast as part of Fox Sports Net’s “Best Damn Fight Night Period,” Toney (70-6-3, 43 KO’s) and Rahman (45-6-2, 36 KO’s) will meet in a fight appropriately titled “Last Chance” for the NABO heavyweight title.

Wednesday will be the first fight in over a year for Toney, who had to serve a year-long suspension after testing positive for steroids a second time. The layoff was not an easy one for the future Hall of Famer. “It was hard. I’m the type of person who likes to fight. I would fight once a month if I could,” Toney explained.

The time off also, however, allowed Toney to realize some things he hadn’t otherwise realized and get closer to those around him. “I bought my time and got closer with my family and my friends. And I found out who my real friends were and I found out who wasn’t. Everything happens for a reason, God makes everything happen for a reason, and it was a positive outcome for me. I’m ready to go ahead, restart my career, and be heavyweight champion of the world again before the end of the year,” stated Toney.

In order to get by Rahman and get a title shot, Toney knows what he has to do different from their initial meeting. “I’m in much better shape than I was the first time when I fought. Even though I was out of shape the first time, I still put hands on him. I’m ready to go I can’t wait. The hardest part right now just waiting to get there,” Toney said.

For the rematch with Rahman on Wednesday night, Toney will have a new trainer in his corner. “I got a great trainer right now who nobody’s ever heard of. People be sleeping on him, but after this fight he’s going to come out a little bit more. His name is Shadeed Saluki. He was the architect behind Lamon Brewster knocking out Wladimir Klitschko four years ago. We get along great and our chemistry is perfect. He’s been busting my behind every day and he’s not taking no shortcuts. This is the best camp I’ve had in a long time,” claimed Toney.

With the fight being on Fox Sports Net, Toney will get a chance to showcase his skills again on national television. Toney knows the importance of being able to showcase himself to the masses. “I love fighting in front of the media and on Fox because they have so many vehicles. I’m going to be seen whether it’s here in the United States, or overseas. It’s a great opportunity for me to get back in the spotlight. The Best Damn Sports Show Period, and I’m the best damn heavyweight period,” Toney said.

Wladimir Klitschko may be the best heavyweight in the world right now to most, but not according to Toney. “I don’t think much of (Wladimir) Klitschko. He’s first class garbage. Him and his brother, or sister (Vitali).”

Taking himself out of the equation, Toney feels the best heavyweight in the division is Samuel Peter. “Everybody thinks he’s the monster and all that, but I proved everybody wrong twice by not only taking his best shots, but beating him. I beat the brakes off of Sam Peter he first time in L.A and they (the judges) robbed me. The second time he put his track shoes on and ran the last two rounds. Everybody knows the best fighter in the world, and the best heavyweight in the world is me. The next time he sees me, he’s going to be knocked out on his ass I promise you,” Toney explained.

At 39 years of age Wednesday being his 80th fight as a professional, Toney’s time left as a boxer is limited. Toney, however, isn’t even thinking about that. “I can be competitive as long as my mind and my spirit is right. I’m not giving no time (for retirement). I want to be the heavyweight champ of the world again, which I will be. It’s just a matter of time. I want to get rid of the Klitschkos, Sam Peter, and whoever else. Then I’ll sit back and talk with my wife and my family, and we’ll go over every situation we have in front of us,” explained Toney.

Toney and Rahman may not be the first two heavyweights that come to mind when the division is talked about, but it’s likely that the two will put on a show Wednesday night during the “Best Damn Fight Night Period” because of where each stands in the division. Rahman is ranked in the top ten by a couple of the sanctioning organizations, and must win to keep those rankings, while Toney is looking to rejoin the top ten and get another crack at a world title.

James "Lights Out" Toney (70-6-3, 43 KOs) looked to be in good shape for Wednesday night's "Last Chance" showdown against Hasim "The Rock" Rahman (45-6-2, 36 KOs) at the Pechanga Resort in Temecula, California. Toney weighed 226, his lowest weight since 2003. Rahman weighed 244.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Toney 226 vs. Hasim Rahman 244
NABO Heavyweight Championship
Francisco Santana 151.5 vs. Alejandro Bogarin 153.5
Rico Ramos 121 vs. Jonathan Velardez 120
Mike Dallas Jr. 144 vs. Artemio Reyes Jr. 142.5
Juan Angel Zavala 130 vs. Carlos Herrera 131.5
Marcus Dickerson 207 vs. Helaman Olguin 234
Venue: Pechanga Resort, Temecula, Calif.
Promoter: Goossen Tutor
TV: FSN

Not really...but here is the scoop:

Fightnews:

Thursday, July 17 2008

By Francisco Salazar at ringside / Photo: Big Joe Miranda


Heavyweight James "Lights Out" Toney (71-6-3, 44 KOs) scored a controversial third round TKO over Hasim "Rock" Rahman (45-7-3, 36 KOs) in their "Last Chance" clash on Wednesday night at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA. An accidental head butt in round three cut Rahman over the left eye and in the corner after the round, Rahman said he couldn't see. The bout was then stopped by referee Ray Corona on the advice of ring doctor Paul Wallace. It was originally thought the result would be a no decision, but officials ruled that Rahman had indicated he couldn't see before the cut was even examined, so a TKO was ruled. "This is the worst damn decision period," said Rahman after the fight. The Rahman camp plans to appeal.

"This is the worst damn decision period," said Rahman after the fight.

No dude, the worst damn decision (period) was trying to get out of the fight so bad that you didn't let the doc stop it before saying, in effect, "Get me the hell out of here." Hey, my eye wasn't the one cut, but I've seen Gatti continue while he was peering through coin slots . It looked like the bleeding was being controlled and his (Rahman's) vision was fine. The most annoying thing was the idiots on the Fox crew apologizing for Rahman instead of questioning why he was in such a hurry to get the hell out of the ring. God how I wish it was on HBO- I would have loved to hear Merchant's take on the situation. Congratulations NABO, there is your new heavyweight title holder. And Goosen, you're still a chump.

And by "new NABO heavyweight title holder" , I mean a further fading James Toney. But there's still hope a new face and name will eventually save the heavy division. Who can blame big gifted athletes for playing other pro sports where the money and long-term benefits are better?