Vassiliy Jirov vs. James Toney 15 year anniversary

Last great performance from Lights Out!

 

If JAMES Tony wasnt roiding Jirov would have won.

 

That was a great fight.

 

Toney had no business being a HW. So that's a good point. I think skill wise, Jirov runs circles around the Quiet man, and was in his prime as a champion. Ruiz, regardless of personal opinion, was always a difficult fight for HW's.

 

He passed his tests. He only failed later on.

 

Great fight for sure. Thanks.

 

Hard fighter to beat really. Tough man

 

He really was. As horrible as his style was to watch, I give him props for willing his fight to go his way, taking the more talented HW's out of theirs.

 

Yep. A real classic.

 

Yep, i'll say it again as it warrants it, a very tough man physically and mentally Ruiz. I remember a press conference where the media were basically rubbishing him and taking the **** before a fight and he went out and won. I was so happy for him, the satisfaction he must've felt time and time again I bet was good. Some will power right there !

 

Against great opposition, I'd agree. He put on a few pretty good HW performances in Holyfield, Booker, Ruiz & Peter I - but this was his last real brush with p4p greatness against somebody prime & relevant and themselves a serious player in the pound for pound sense.

Makes it all the sadder that he missed the chance to exit on this high note to cap off a then-15-year career with only a small handful of losses in the mid-90's (three of them close, one to prime RJJ, no shame there) and has seen action within the last year and still not officially retired.

 

Great fight I was on my feet jumping up-and-down in the 11th round