James Toney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids James Toney |
|
|---|---|
Toney in 2011
|
|
| Born | James Nathaniel Toney August 24, 1968 Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. |
| Other names |
|
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Division |
|
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Years active |
|
| 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 a famous American former professional boxer. He competed in boxing from 1988 to 2017. James Toney won many world championships in three different weight classes. These included the International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight title 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. In one of these fights, his victory was later changed to a "no contest" due to a rule violation. Throughout his career, he competed in fifteen world title fights. These fights spanned four different 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 excellent at counterpunching. He often liked to fight close to his opponents. He had quick hands and strong punches. Toney was also very tough. He never lost any of his 92 professional fights by stoppage.
In 1991 and 2003, Toney was named "Fighter of the Year." This award came from The Ring magazine. He also received the award from the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 2011, The Ring magazine listed him as one of the "10 best middleweight title holders of the last 50 years." Many people consider him one of the greatest defensive boxers ever.
He also made one appearance in mixed martial arts (MMA). 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. James Toney is also a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and Start in Boxing
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 focus on boxing until after he finished high school. Growing up, Toney lived near the families of other famous boxers. These included Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Buster Mathis Jr..
Before becoming a boxer, Toney was a talented football player. After high school, he received scholarship offers from colleges. But Toney decided to go into boxing. He said he was not a "team player" and did not like taking orders. Toney also lost a lot of weight to start his boxing career.
Amateur and Early Professional Career
Toney had a short but successful amateur career. He won 33 fights and lost only 2. His first professional fight was on October 26, 1988. He won by a technical knockout in the second round. As a teenager, Gregory Owens scouted and trained Toney. Owens also trained him through the mid-1990s. Toney's nickname, "Lights Out," was given to him by Gregory or his son.
Later, Jackie Kallen became his manager. Toney also worked with the legendary Detroit trainer Bill Miller. Miller helped Toney develop his famous "old school" fighting style. This style made Toney unique in the boxing world.
Professional Boxing Highlights
Middleweight Champion
Toney won the IBF middleweight title in May 1991. He knocked out Michael Nunn in the eleventh round. Toney was not expected to win this fight. He was behind on the judges' scorecards. But he landed a powerful left hook that knocked Nunn down. This win also earned Toney the Ring Magazine Fighter Of The Year award.
He defended his middleweight title several times. One notable fight was his win over Dave Tiberi. Many experts felt Toney lost this fight. The decision was so controversial that it led to an investigation into boxing. Toney also fought Mike McCallum twice. He drew with McCallum in December 1991 and won by a majority decision in December 1992. The second McCallum fight was Toney's last as a middleweight.
Super Middleweight Champion
On February 13, 1993, Toney moved up in weight. He challenged Iran Barkley for the IBF super middleweight title. Toney dominated the fight. Barkley's trainer stopped the match after 9 rounds. Barkley had severe swelling around both eyes.
Toney won five fights in 1993. He then defended his title against Tony "The Punching Postman" Thornton. Toney won easily by points. In his next defense, he knocked out Tim Littles in the 4th round. His final defense was against Prince Charles Williams. Toney knocked Williams out in the 12th round. This victory set up a big fight with Roy Jones Jr..
Toney vs. Jones Jr.
In November 1994, Toney faced Roy Jones Jr.. 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 been knocked down. After the fight, Toney said that making weight for the fight affected his performance. This was his last fight at super middleweight.
Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight
After losing to Jones Jr., Toney moved to light heavyweight. He lost to Montell Griffin in February 1995. After winning several fights in different weight classes, he faced Montell Griffin again in December 1996. He lost another close decision.
After taking some time off, Toney returned to boxing in 1999. He was determined to become a top fighter again. He defeated several former champions and contenders. In August 2002, Toney won a fight that set him up for a title shot. This led to a fight against the undefeated cruiserweight champion, Vassiliy Jirov.
On April 26, 2003, Toney fought Jirov. The fight was very close going into the final round. Toney knocked Jirov down in the 12th round. Jirov got up, but Toney won the fight by decision. He became a world champion in three different weight classes. For this amazing comeback, Toney was named "Fighter of the Year." The fight itself was called "Fight Of The Year" by The Ring magazine.
Heavyweight Division
After winning the cruiserweight title, Toney moved up to the heavyweight division. He had always said he would one day be the heavyweight champion. On October 4, 2003, he defeated former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. Toney stopped Holyfield in the 9th round.
On April 30, 2005, Toney defeated John Ruiz for the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight Championship. However, the New York Athletic Commission later changed the fight's result to a "no-contest" due to a rule violation. Toney was also banned from boxing for 90 days. The WBA reinstated Ruiz as champion.
Toney continued to fight in the heavyweight division. He had two close losses to Samuel Peter in 2006 and 2007. His final professional boxing match was on May 13, 2017. At 48 years old, he defeated Mike Sheppard. He won the WBF heavyweight title. After a career of 29 years and 92 professional fights, Toney officially retired.
Exhibition Bout
James 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 six rounds and was scored a draw. Both boxers were older, but they completed the fight.
Fighting Style
Toney is famous for his "old school" boxing style. This style is sometimes called the "crab style." It involved a lot of head movement and shoulder rolls to avoid punches. He was also skilled at fighting close to his opponents. Toney was known for his high "ring IQ," meaning he was very smart in the ring.
Even though he was a defensive fighter, he often put pressure on his opponents. He was very tough and had an extremely durable chin. Because of this, he was never stopped in his 29-year professional career. He was also rarely knocked down.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
In 2010, James Toney signed a deal to fight in the UFC. He was 42 years old at the time. To help him prepare for MMA, Toney was coached by Juanito Ibarra and later Trevor Sherman.
Toney vs. Couture, UFC 118
His first and only MMA fight was against UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture. This fight took place at UFC 118 on August 28, 2010. Couture quickly took Toney to the ground in the first round. Couture then won the fight by using a submission hold called an arm-triangle choke. After this fight, Toney was released from his UFC contract.
Titles in Boxing
Major World Titles
- IBF middleweight champion
- IBF super middleweight champion
- IBF cruiserweight champion
Minor World Titles
- IBC middleweight champion
- WBU light heavyweight champion (2 times)
- WBU cruiserweight champion
- IBO cruiserweight champion
- IBA super cruiserweight champion
- IBA heavyweight champion (2 times)
- IBU heavyweight champion
- WBF (Foundation) heavyweight champion
Regional and International Titles
- Michigan middleweight champion
- USBA light heavyweight champion
- WBU Continental cruiserweight champion
- WBC Continental Americas heavyweight champion
- NABO heavyweight champion
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
