James Toney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Toney
Toney in 2011
Born	James Nathaniel Toney (1968-08-24) August 24, 1968 (age 56) Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
Other names	Lights Out The Dark Emperor
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Division	Middleweight Super middleweight Light heavyweight Cruiserweight Heavyweight
Reach	74 in (188 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Years active	1988–2017, 2023 (boxing) 2010 (MMA)
Professional boxing record
Total	92
Wins	77
By knockout	47
Losses	10
Draws	3
No contests	2
Mixed martial arts record
Total	1
Wins	0
Losses	1
By submission	1
last updated on: June 5, 2017

James Nathaniel Toney (born August 24, 1968) is an American former professional boxer. He competed in boxing from 1988 to 2017. He won many world titles in three different weight classes.

These titles included the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and lineal middleweight titles from 1991 to 1993. He also held the IBF super middleweight title from 1993 to 1994. In 2003, he won the IBF cruiserweight title.

Toney also fought for a world heavyweight title twice. He won the first time in 2005, but the win was later changed due to an issue with a post-fight test. In total, he competed in fifteen world title fights across four weight classes.

James Toney was known for his defensive boxing style. He used a special technique called the shoulder roll. This was taught to him by his trainer, Bill Miller. Toney was also very good at hitting back after his opponent threw a punch. He liked to fight close to his opponents, even when he was near the ropes.

He had quick hands and strong punches throughout his career. He was also very tough and was never knocked out in any of his 92 professional fights.

In 1991 and 2003, The Ring magazine named Toney the "Fighter of the Year." The Boxing Writers Association of America also gave him this award. In 2011, The Ring magazine listed him as one of the "10 best middleweight title holders of the last 50 years."

Toney also tried mixed martial arts once. He lost to Randy Couture at UFC 118. In 2001, Toney played the role of Joe Frazier in the movie Ali. He acted alongside Will Smith.

Early Life and Beginnings

James Toney was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. He first went to a boxing gym when he was about 11 years old. However, he did not seriously start boxing until after he finished high school.

Growing up, Toney lived near the families of famous boxers like Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Buster Mathis Jr.. His own father was also a boxer. Before becoming a boxer, Toney was a talented football player.

He received scholarship offers to play football in college. But Toney decided to go into boxing instead. He said, "I wasn't a team player and wasn't good at taking orders." Toney also lost a lot of weight to start his boxing career. He used to weigh 205 pounds.

Amateur and Early Professional Career

Toney had a short but successful amateur career. He won 33 fights, with 32 of them by knockout, and only lost 2. His first professional fight was on October 26, 1988. He won by technical knockout in the second round against Stephen Lee.

As a teenager, Gregory Owens trained Toney. Owens also gave Toney his nickname, "Lights Out." After his manager passed away, Jackie Kallen took over. Toney also worked with the famous Detroit trainer Bill Miller. Miller helped Toney develop his unique "old school" boxing style.

Professional Boxing Highlights

Middleweight Champion

Toney became the IBF and lineal middleweight champion in May 1991. He won by knocking out Michael Nunn in the eleventh round. Many people thought Toney would lose this fight. He was behind on all the judges' scores, but he landed a powerful left hook that knocked Nunn down. This win also earned Toney the Ring Magazine Fighter Of The Year award.

Toney defended his middleweight title several times. One of his most talked-about wins was against Dave Tiberi. Many experts felt Toney actually lost that fight. The decision was very controversial. Toney also defended his title against Reggie Johnson in June 1991. He kept his title with a draw against former WBA champion Mike McCallum in December 1991. He beat McCallum again by a majority decision in December 1992. This was Toney's last fight as a middleweight.

Super Middleweight Champion

On February 13, 1993, Toney moved up in weight to challenge Iran Barkley for the IBF super middleweight title. Toney dominated the fight, and Barkley's trainer stopped the match after 9 rounds. Barkley had severe swelling around both of his eyes.

Toney won five fights in 1993. He then defended his title against Tony "The Punching Postman" Thornton in October. He won easily by points. In his next defense, Toney knocked out the undefeated Tim Littles in the 4th round. His next defense was against former IBF Light Heavyweight champion Prince Charles Williams. Toney knocked Williams out in the 12th and final round. This win set up a big fight with Roy Jones Jr..

Toney vs. Jones Jr.

The fight between Toney and Roy Jones Jr. happened on November 18, 1994. Jones won the fight by a clear decision. He even knocked Toney down briefly in the 3rd round. This was the first time Toney had ever been knocked down. After the fight, Toney said that struggling to make weight for the fight affected his performance. This was his last fight at super middleweight.

Cruiserweight Champion

After taking some time off, Toney returned to boxing in 1999. He seemed determined to become a top fighter again. He defeated several former champions and contenders. In August 2002, Toney beat Jason Robinson. This set up a fight for the IBF Cruiserweight title against the champion, Vassiliy Jirov.

The fight with Jirov took place on April 26, 2003. It was a very close fight. Going into the last round, the scores were even. Toney knocked the undefeated Jirov down in the 12th round. Jirov got up, but Toney won the fight by decision. This made James Toney a three-weight world champion!

For his amazing performance, Toney was named "Comeback of the Year" and "Fighter of the Year." The fight itself was named "Fight Of The Year" by The Ring magazine. After this, Toney immediately moved up to the heavyweight division.

Heavyweight Division

Toney had always said he would become the heavyweight champion. On October 4, 2003, he entered the heavyweight division by beating former champion Evander Holyfield. After a tough first round, Toney started to land many punches. He stopped Holyfield in the 9th round.

On April 30, 2005, Toney defeated John Ruiz by a unanimous decision to win the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight Championship. However, this win was later changed to a "no-contest" due to an issue with a post-fight test. Toney's next fight was a win against Dominic Guinn.

Toney then fought Hasim Rahman on March 18, 2006, for the WBC Heavyweight title. The fight ended in a draw. Toney then lost two fights to Samuel Peter. Both fights were important matches to decide who would fight for the WBC belt.

Toney's last professional boxing match was on May 13, 2017, when he was 48 years old. He defeated Mike Sheppard and won the WBF heavyweight title. After a career that lasted 29 years and included 92 professional fights, Toney announced his retirement.

Exhibition Bout

Toney made a return to the ring at age 55 on November 11, 2023. He fought 59-year-old Donovan Ruddock in Kingston, Jamaica. The fight lasted all six rounds and was scored a draw. Both boxers were older, but they still went the distance.

Fighting Style

James Toney is famous for his "old school" boxing style. He moved his head a lot and used the shoulder roll to avoid punches. He was also very good at fighting when his back was against the ropes. He used clever body movements and fought well up close. Because of this, people say he had a very high "ring IQ."

Even though he was a defensive fighter, Toney often put pressure on his opponents. He usually made them fight his way. He was very experienced, had great defensive skills, and a very strong chin. He was never stopped by a knockout or technical knockout in his 29-year career. He was also rarely knocked down.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

James Toney was seen at a UFC event in January 2010. This led to talks with UFC President Dana White about fighting in the organization. On March 3, it was confirmed that Toney, at 42 years old, had signed a deal to fight in the UFC.

To help him get ready for MMA, Toney was coached by Juanito Ibarra and later by Trevor Sherman.

Toney vs. Couture, UFC 118

Toney's first and only MMA fight was against UFC Hall of Famer and former champion Randy Couture. The fight happened at UFC 118 on August 28, 2010. Couture quickly took Toney to the ground in the first round. He then won the fight by using a submission move called an arm-triangle choke.

After this loss, Toney was released from his contract with the UFC. The fight became well-known, but some people called it a "freak show fight." Even UFC President Dana White had some criticisms. Toney earned about $500,000 for the fight, while Couture earned $250,000. Toney said he would fight in MMA again, but his fight against Ken Shamrock was cancelled. UFC 118 remains Toney's only appearance in mixed martial arts.

Professional Boxing Record

Exhibition Boxing Record

Mixed Martial Arts Record

Images for kids

• 

  Toney in 2011

See also

In Spanish: James Toney para niños

• List of boxing triple champions
• List of middleweight boxing champions
• List of super middleweight boxing champions
• List of cruiserweight boxing champions
• List of IBF world champions