James Toney’s crazy 6-fight run that made him the Fighter of the Year 1991

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Flo_Raiden, Aug 11, 2026.


  1. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    1991 was quite a big year for Lights Out when he fought for a total of 6 fights against the likes of Merqui Sosa, Alberto Gonzalez, Michael Nunn, Reggie Johnson, Francesco Dell'Aquila and Mike McCallum. Even crazier that right after Toney won the IBF title from Nunn in a very tough battle he fights another hard fight against Reggie Johnson a month later. And then ending the year off with one of the greatest technical fights against an ATG Mike McCallum in a fight that some believe he did enough to win it against the veteran.

    A well deserved award for Fighter of the Year at that time. Truly the definition of an “old school” fearless warrior.

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    Flo_Raiden, Aug 11, 2026
    Flo_Raiden, Aug 11, 2026
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  2. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    He who faces Jamesmith J. Toney agrees to ride the pink horse down nightmare alley without a saddle.
     
    Boxed Ears, Aug 11, 2026
    Boxed Ears, Aug 11, 2026
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  3. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    There is a great bocing book called Dark trade lost in boxing that covers a lot of this time period. I remember that Jackie Kallen and Bill Miller had Toney fight a lot so he wouldn't get out of shape. It was really hard for him to stay at 160 let alone 168. There are lots of details in that book about what drive Toney as a younger fighter.
     
    AwardedSteak863, Aug 12, 2026
    AwardedSteak863, Aug 12, 2026
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  4. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    I highly recommend this book.
     
    robert ungurean, Aug 12, 2026
    robert ungurean, Aug 12, 2026
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  5. Thread Stealer

    Thread Stealer Loyal Member Full Member

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    That was a great book.

    And a nice story on how McRae initially viewed Toney when he first met him…then by the end of the book, he cared more about Toney athan any other boxer.
     
    Thread Stealer, Aug 12, 2026
    Thread Stealer, Aug 12, 2026
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  6. Noel857

    Noel857 I Am Duran

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    His latest and final book
    THE LAST BELL
    Life,death and Boxing
    is a great read and comes highly recommended by me
     
    Noel857, Aug 13, 2026 at 3:31 AM
    Noel857, Aug 13, 2026 at 3:31 AM
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  7. THE BLADE 2

    THE BLADE 2 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    just imagine if James had the discipline of a Bernard Hopkins. How great he would have been
     
    THE BLADE 2, Aug 13, 2026 at 9:57 AM
    THE BLADE 2, Aug 13, 2026 at 9:57 AM
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  8. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    For the lack of discipline that James Toney had which hindered him it's honestly astonishing how much he was still able to achieve despite having some setbacks. Just shows how talented and skilled of a fighter Toney is.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Aug 13, 2026 at 10:27 AM
    Flo_Raiden, Aug 13, 2026 at 10:27 AM
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  9. META5

    META5 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    If James had managed to beat RJJ, I genuinely believe that he had the talent and ability to catapult himself into respectable discussions about whether he was of Duran level. The way that he went about the business of seeking the best fighter is exactly what people were hoping for IMO when they critique Floyd or SRL for intentional match-making that shifted the odds in their favour, despite holding many physical (combinations of reach, height and speed) or reputational advantages already.

    I truly think that JT could have challenged the top 20, but alas, the stars didn't align even if his fork did.
     
    META5, Aug 13, 2026 at 2:23 PM
    META5, Aug 13, 2026 at 2:23 PM
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