Breaking news: By Lee Bates Former multi-division world champion James Toney says he has split with longtime promoter Goossen Tutor and will launch his own promotional firm, Light Out Promotions. Toneys manager/cornerman John Arthur will run the new group, which plans a kickoff in the second week of May at a venue to be named. Fittingly, Toney will headline the debut card. [SIZE=-2]March 22nd, 2009[/SIZE]
I actually saw this coming. Goossen was showing less and less interest with Toney focusing on his other fighters like Paul Williams. And in a way I can see why, as much of a fan of Toney as I am I have to admit that his days as a world class fighter are coming to an end. At this stage it would be hard for any promoter to handle Toney because you have to match him up so carfully now. Plus you never know what kind of shape he is going to come into a fight. And a loss at this stage puts him further back. So what happens is he is on the self and gets frustrated. With him promoting himself now, i really hope they find the right fights for him. Cause I can easily see him getting outpointed by an ordinary fighter like Tony Thompson etc.... As a huge fan of him I would really like to see him get into the best possible shape he can and have one last big fight, then win or lose, get out and call it a day.
Just fight 1 more time, retire and create your own promotion company james. Help Detroit get back on their feet.
Toney/Holyfield II, winner gets Ruiz in eliminator for WBA shot. ****. Having just typed that as a joke, it could happen.
I thought Oquendo beat him. Toney is such a big name and looking more vulnerable with each performance. There are many that will want to capitalize on that name so he can continue to fight for awhile if he wants to.
Let's pray that James signs with Don King and gets an immediate title shot against Valuev or Chagaev. I would love to see either one of those fights.
Fact is that Goossen wasn't able to secure a meaningful fight for Toney lately. Whether it was disinterest from his side or from of the networks is irrelevant here. Despite having several other top rated contenders under his banner, he just couldn't land a last big fight for Toney. I see this change as a step fw at this time of Toney's career. While fighting for his own company, Toney will have no excuses and will finally be able to compete more regularly just as he always wanted to. Who knows, with Goossen now finally out of the way as James' representative, Toney vs. Arreola might have better chances to materialize...