James 'Lights Out' Toney

James 'Lights Out' Toney is a fighter who conjures up extreme viewpoints when attempting to analytically break down just how good the man is. Honestly speaking, I' am an avid James Toney Fan, as a middleweight in the early to mid 90's, he was one of the fighters who got me interested in the sport of boxing. Even then, i believed the man's skills were unrivalled. For me, he is possibly the most natural fighter i have ever seen.

Incredably gifted athletically, blessed with fighting instincts, he is defensive wizard (Even as a 230lbs heavyweight he stands infront of oponents and is STILL very hard to hit flush), he possesses a granite chin, is genuiely two fisted, a supreme ring general who can fight going forward, backwards, to the side, just about anywhere in the ring and anyhow. 'Lights Out' is old school in every sense. Conversely, his total lack of discipline (which ironically also highlights his imense talent and ability), his total disregard for anyone or anything and recent lacklustre displays have somewhat distorted the image and greatness of 'Lights Out'.

Now, even as a Toney 'Nuthugger' as some of you label obsessed people on this site would put it and as a boxing fan: I would not even attempt to argue Toney's resume is any where close to what it should be. Instead, i would argue he has a very solid resume with big wins over Michael Nunn (contrary to popular belief this was in reality a close fight before the stoppage) Reggie Johnson (close fight) Mike McCallum (Who Roy Jones fought AFTER Toney had fought him twice), Iran Barkley (scoff as you may he was a HEAVY underdog for this fight), Tim Littles (Very impressive due to the manner in which he disposed of his foe), Vassilily Jirov (one of the best fights i have seen) and a faded but game Evander Holyfield. James Toney is case of a fighter who requires a deeper analysis of just how great he is.

These days Boxing fans don't tend to think outside the box and use a fighters resume as a be all and end all as a means to discover how good a fighter was. James 'Lights out' Toney is a great fighter period. And i for one would have ABSOLUTELY no qualms about putting him up there as one of the greats of our era on talent and talent alone. Thanks for reading.

 

Happy?

 

What a surprise someone mentioned this.

 

Damn i did't put in his smack talk ability!!!

 

You not rate him? and why?

 

This is a very good analysis, it is not a secret he wasted a majority of his talent but saying he is not willing to fight the best/take dangerous fights is a little naive. James toney is a 5'9 middleweight who had aspirations of being the heavyweight champion of the world, admittingly he went the wrong way about it in doing so, however you can not say he did seek out the best. Names like Hasim Rahman, Samual Peter, may not shake up the world but they must be put into context......seriously how many fighter 175lbs below would be able to hang with these guys having every physical advantage taken away from them but TALENT.

 

Again, i can't argue with this analysis. All geniuses have flaws...........

I say lets focus on his career instead of speculating on what may have beens...........

 

Thats would have been great, shame the superfight at cruiser weight did't come off in 2003.