Who next for James Toney? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Strange Famous · 01-03-2004, 12:37 AM

And basically, you could just as well call this thread "Who next for Roy Jones Jr" - they both have the same problems of trying to get one or two big money fights and also create a legend for themselves.

1) Ruiz - Ruiz is a tomato can, Toney would beat him up, just like Jones did, it will have the prestige of being a heavyweight fight, and maybe help cement Toney as a true boxing legend. I just don't think Ruiz is good enough to actually. Jones has already done this also, so all Toney can do is try to knock Ruiz out when Jones couldnt. Toney is a physically bigger and stronger man, and probably more suited to fighting hevaier, but this would be the worst fight for him I think, apart from...

2) Byrd - Byrd may be an effective fighter, any fight he is in is horrible to watch. Byrd vs Toney would be an intriguing match, but hard to sell and horrible to watch.

3) Jones Jr - Bringing back the super middle rivalry... Toney is the only person (bar Jones' last fight at light heavy when he really struggled with the weight, against Tarver) to have ever tested Jones truly in the ring, a fight to settle this rivalry would be huge for both fighters, it is a good clash of styles and personalities - I think this could be the best fight for either fighter, but I have the feeling they both want to beat a heavy man.

4) Lennox Lewis - forget it. Lewis is just too big and strong, his only weakness is against a big puncher, which Toney isnt at that weight. Unless Toney gets Lewis on the night he suddenly gets old, its just going to be a frustrating and ugly defeat against a man who is just too big.

5) Tyson - Maybe the biggest money fight, but how much does Tyson have left? This will give Toney the pay cheque he wants, but if it is just a one sided blow out against a washed up boxer who isnt a shadow of his former self, then this will not help Toney build his legend in boxing, and at his age he needs to be worried about money and history now. And there is always the danger that something of the old Tyson remains and he could score a quick KO...

Anomaly_ · 01-03-2004, 03:23 PM

Before the Ruiz-Rahman fight I would have said Rahman would be his next likely opponent but now it appears to be Ruiz. I think you're right on all counts about the other fighters. Byrd and Toney would be a battle of the Michigan hard knocks but they're no-name fighters to the mainstream. According to Bert Sugar (who I don't necessarily trust), Lewis has unofficially retired. I'm guessing across the pond you've heard plenty of rumors too. As for Tyson, I don't know what to think. Apparently he's mentioned Mesi and Jones Jr. as possible opponents, but he could fight any chump and pick up 5-10 million. I would like to see Tyson and Jones as a retirement fight for both men. At this point in Jones' career he knows Toney is a big risk/little reward type of bout. Tyson is a natural heavy and there's quite possibly the biggest payday in history waiting for him, win or lose.

Kurant · 01-03-2004, 11:45 PM

First off, Toney has no legend in boxing.

Lennox is done, and if he does fight again, he's mandated to fight Klitchsko. Tyson is a head case, hopefully he doesn't fight again. Jones already beat Toney, and at a Jones' natural weight of around 190 or so, he'd kill Toney. And god, please let Byrd retire soon, or somthing.

Tyson isn't fighting Mesi, absolutley no money in it.

The only matchup in boxing even the slightest bit intriguing to me, is Hopkins/Jones - Klitchsko/Lewis, or Tarver/Jones at around 190 (Yes, Tarver can make that easily.).. So all the nay-sayers of how Jones was so "bad" can shut they're mouths when Tarver gets his ass beat by a healthy Jones.

gov135 · 01-04-2004, 06:51 AM

I don't want to see Mike Tyson embarrass boxing anymore. Let him go do that professional wrestling stuff.

I agree that Jones/Toney can't get made. Jones. Jr. has an understanding of which fights are good for him, and which fights have too much of a downside. Jones doesn't want Toney.

Chris Byrd doesn't make interesting fights. But he does take all comers, his head is screwed on right, and he has a nice track record. I think he's enough of a name for Jones, but I'd rather not see it. Yes, Byrd puts you to sleep, but cut him some slack guys, he's a smaller heavyweight who does what he needs to and has been successful. And he's one of the good guys.

I'd like to see Jones/Tarver. It's a bit of business for Jones to clean up - and I think the fight could be sold as such.

Strange Famous · 01-04-2004, 07:40 AM

At 190 lbs I don't think Tarver is a realistic threat to Jones, people might buy the fight - but Jones need to worried about his legacy as well as his purse now, he isnt going to have many more fights.

I also dont think Tyson really is, but there is always the doubt that something of the great heavyweight of the 80's could remain, tyson carries an aura of intimidation even now, I think this would be a great fight to sell, but the fear would be for Jones it could be embarassingly easy (or Tyson could land some clean shots and beat him if his mind is right)

I think maybe now is the time Jones need to stop being so selective in picking fights that suit him, and take on the people who are the biggest threat.

I dont see Jones - Hopkins ever being a reality, simply cos Jones could not healthily get to a weight at which he could fight Hopkins.

01-03-2004, 12:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Strange Famous follower of the child's crusade?	Who next for James Toney? And basically, you could just as well call this thread "Who next for Roy Jones Jr" - they both have the same problems of trying to get one or two big money fights and also create a legend for themselves. 1) Ruiz - Ruiz is a tomato can, Toney would beat him up, just like Jones did, it will have the prestige of being a heavyweight fight, and maybe help cement Toney as a true boxing legend. I just don't think Ruiz is good enough to actually. Jones has already done this also, so all Toney can do is try to knock Ruiz out when Jones couldnt. Toney is a physically bigger and stronger man, and probably more suited to fighting hevaier, but this would be the worst fight for him I think, apart from... 2) Byrd - Byrd may be an effective fighter, any fight he is in is horrible to watch. Byrd vs Toney would be an intriguing match, but hard to sell and horrible to watch. 3) Jones Jr - Bringing back the super middle rivalry... Toney is the only person (bar Jones' last fight at light heavy when he really struggled with the weight, against Tarver) to have ever tested Jones truly in the ring, a fight to settle this rivalry would be huge for both fighters, it is a good clash of styles and personalities - I think this could be the best fight for either fighter, but I have the feeling they both want to beat a heavy man. 4) Lennox Lewis - forget it. Lewis is just too big and strong, his only weakness is against a big puncher, which Toney isnt at that weight. Unless Toney gets Lewis on the night he suddenly gets old, its just going to be a frustrating and ugly defeat against a man who is just too big. 5) Tyson - Maybe the biggest money fight, but how much does Tyson have left? This will give Toney the pay cheque he wants, but if it is just a one sided blow out against a washed up boxer who isnt a shadow of his former self, then this will not help Toney build his legend in boxing, and at his age he needs to be worried about money and history now. And there is always the danger that something of the old Tyson remains and he could score a quick KO... __________________ "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered." The Gospel of Thomas

01-04-2004, 07:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
Strange Famous follower of the child's crusade?	At 190 lbs I don't think Tarver is a realistic threat to Jones, people might buy the fight - but Jones need to worried about his legacy as well as his purse now, he isnt going to have many more fights. I also dont think Tyson really is, but there is always the doubt that something of the great heavyweight of the 80's could remain, tyson carries an aura of intimidation even now, I think this would be a great fight to sell, but the fear would be for Jones it could be embarassingly easy (or Tyson could land some clean shots and beat him if his mind is right) I think maybe now is the time Jones need to stop being so selective in picking fights that suit him, and take on the people who are the biggest threat. I dont see Jones - Hopkins ever being a reality, simply cos Jones could not healthily get to a weight at which he could fight Hopkins. __________________ "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered." The Gospel of Thomas

01-03-2004, 03:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Anomaly_ Insane	Before the Ruiz-Rahman fight I would have said Rahman would be his next likely opponent but now it appears to be Ruiz. I think you're right on all counts about the other fighters. Byrd and Toney would be a battle of the Michigan hard knocks but they're no-name fighters to the mainstream. According to Bert Sugar (who I don't necessarily trust), Lewis has unofficially retired. I'm guessing across the pond you've heard plenty of rumors too. As for Tyson, I don't know what to think. Apparently he's mentioned Mesi and Jones Jr. as possible opponents, but he could fight any chump and pick up 5-10 million. I would like to see Tyson and Jones as a retirement fight for both men. At this point in Jones' career he knows Toney is a big risk/little reward type of bout. Tyson is a natural heavy and there's quite possibly the biggest payday in history waiting for him, win or lose.

01-03-2004, 11:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kurant Junkie Location: Don't worry about it.	First off, Toney has no legend in boxing. Lennox is done, and if he does fight again, he's mandated to fight Klitchsko. Tyson is a head case, hopefully he doesn't fight again. Jones already beat Toney, and at a Jones' natural weight of around 190 or so, he'd kill Toney. And god, please let Byrd retire soon, or somthing. Tyson isn't fighting Mesi, absolutley no money in it. The only matchup in boxing even the slightest bit intriguing to me, is Hopkins/Jones - Klitchsko/Lewis, or Tarver/Jones at around 190 (Yes, Tarver can make that easily.).. So all the nay-sayers of how Jones was so "bad" can shut they're mouths when Tarver gets his ass beat by a healthy Jones.

01-04-2004, 06:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
gov135 Junkie Location: Midwest	I don't want to see Mike Tyson embarrass boxing anymore. Let him go do that professional wrestling stuff. I agree that Jones/Toney can't get made. Jones. Jr. has an understanding of which fights are good for him, and which fights have too much of a downside. Jones doesn't want Toney. Chris Byrd doesn't make interesting fights. But he does take all comers, his head is screwed on right, and he has a nice track record. I think he's enough of a name for Jones, but I'd rather not see it. Yes, Byrd puts you to sleep, but cut him some slack guys, he's a smaller heavyweight who does what he needs to and has been successful. And he's one of the good guys. I'd like to see Jones/Tarver. It's a bit of business for Jones to clean up - and I think the fight could be sold as such.