Toney vs Dave Tiberi .. Please fill me in ...

He was struggling with the weight & not helping himself with his lack of discipline at the dinner table. That was certainly a contributing factor to some of his lackluster performances at the weight.

 

Here is how I had it when sitting down to score it a year or so ago:

James Toney v Dave Tiberi

Round 1: 10-9 Toney
Round 2: 10-9 Tiberi
Round 3: 10-9 Tiberi
Round 4: 10-10 Even
Round 5: 10-9 Tiberi
Round 6: 10-8 Toney (Tiberi penalized 1 point for a low blow)
Round 7: 10-9 Tiberi
Round 8: 10-9 Tiberi
Round 9: 10-10 Even
Round 10: 10-9 Toney
Round 11: 10-9 Toney
Round 12: 10-9 Toney

Total: 115-114 Toney (actual scores: 117-111 Tiberi, 115-111 Toney and a 115-112 for Toney for a split decision win).

Nothing I say can be better than how @salsanchezfan phrased it when he said, "but acknowledged there is a question to be answered about aggression vs. sharper punching that only the individual watching it can answer for themselves." I thought that was so apt and right on the money. Tiberi was a workhorse, but the exhausted Toney kept getting off the cleaner, more meaningful punches, just not as many, which puts the onus on the judge. I have seen so many diverse opinions on this fight. Who's to say who is right or wrong?

 

I watched it live and thought Tiberi clearly won, not a blow-out but a clear victory. I don't give style points. I rate effective aggression over three minutes.

Toney had flaws, and a bunch of excuses, too, but here his flaws were on display. He was fighting very often at this point (McCallum I was two months before, Glen Wolf was two months later) and got beat on an off night. The thinking was that Tiberi knew he couldn't replicate that effort and the Sunday School teacher retired and kept quacking that the decision should have been reversed or some nonsense.

 

Yeah you definitely are wrong. I'll say it for you.

Tiberi clearly beat Toney.

Toney himself admitted defeat to Tiberi.

 

Yeah, well, thanks for saying it for me, but I can speak for myself. And I think I explained my card very clearly and I stand by my score.

 

The afternoon I watched it, was outraged by the decision and thought it was a robbery. Watching it years later, not quite the robbery I thought it was.
James having one of his usual weight problems and not in his best shape. Tiberi survived an early shaky moment, then got his groove on and started to outhustle Toney. Although when I watched it later, thought Tiberi landed a lot of junk punches, (I don't recall my verdict, I think Tiberi very close, but not a ridiculous robbery as I originally thought).

Tiberi refused a rematch for more money, and went on to write a book saying he was the rightful champion. Should have fought the rematch for the money, but I guess wanted to go out on top and write his book. I also think he knew he caught James at the perfect moment, wanted no part of a rematch because Toney would have been out to get him the next time.

 

Toney was out of gas in this fight by the 3rd round, it was clear that he was not properly conditioned for the fight. I thought it was a close fight and not the robbery it was out to be.

 

lack of training 100%.

credit to tiberi though, he fought the fight of his life in the biggest fight of his life and i thought he won by many rounds.

 

Tiberi beat him like a drum ...

 

Whatever one thinks of the decision, I admire Tiberi for taking a stand against what he believed was an outright robbery and a crooked system that would give him no chance.

It was like, from his perspective, ‘sorry you got screwed but if you beat him again them maybe, just maybe, we’ll let you be champ — if we don’t screw you again.’

Instead he said ‘boxing it’s corrupt, boxing isn’t fair and to give your life and do the work it takes to succeed is not worth it if you’re not going to get fruits of your labor so I’ll go find another way to make a living.’

Everybody gets one life and should live it the way they want (within the law and whatever their moral compass). I can see how that decision would sicken someone enough to say ‘screw this, I’m getting out of this cesspool.’

I think Tiberi can look himself in the mirror and say ‘I gave it my best and walked away on my terms.’ That’s what really matters.

 

Scar it's a close fight not the robbery that it's made out to be i agree with @McGrain

James Toney vs Dave Tiberi

1 Toney
2 Tiberi
3 Tiberi
4 Tiberi
5 Tiberi
6 Toney 10-8 point deduction
7 Toney
8 Tiberi
9 Tiberi
10 Toney
11 Toney
12 Tiberi

114-113 Tiberi

 

At the time I thought Tiberi won a close fight, still do.

 

Watched the fight and had Tiberi , and thought Toney looked lethargic.
Not lights out best fight for sure.