BoxRec

Just checked out Nat Gottlieb's fight prediction (he used to write for the legendary boxingranks, now writes for the quality site tigerboxing.com). He talked to Roach, who said he only saw Toney 2-3 times a week, because Toney would cancel going to see Roach at the last minute, being that he was too busy building up his health club physique. Roach normally raves about his fighters with outright hyperbole, but when quizzed he only said that James "looks good."


I'm not sure what to make of it. I remember that Roach wasn't happy at Toney being in the 220s for Holyfield, yet he looked superb that night. IMO Toney does what he wants, but if he's in shape it doesn't seem to matter too much.

Its a long time since Toney was really 'in shape' I think this time he's going to take a hammering I'm afraid, he shouldnt even be at heavyweight imo...

Toney's shape is woeful, but his skills are very good even now when he is past his prime.

On the other hand his opponents shape is fair to good whilst Their skills are woeful.

Toney weighs 234? and he is 5'10"? He looks like a budda at that weight. If he was 40 lbs lighter his skills AND power really would make an impact, he could be beating Haye, Macerinelli, Mormeck, and Kelvin Davis. They would be better fights than against the likes of Ruiz, Rahman and Peter, but the money is at Heayweight and Toney doesn have to train as hard, so Heavyweight it is.

Just look at Tyson, who is 5'10. At 234 he would be in reasonable shape. Wheras Toney looks like he's swimming through syrup. No way is Toney a legitimate HW, its just the guys he is fighting have a very low skill level.

The division is a pile of shit.

KO Artist wrote:Toney's shape is woeful, but his skills are very good even now when he is past his prime.

On the other hand his opponents shape is fair to good whilst Their skills are woeful.

Toney weighs 234? and he is 5'10"? He looks like a budda at that weight. If he was 40 lbs lighter his skills AND power really would make an impact, he could be beating Haye, Macerinelli, Mormeck, and Kelvin Davis. They would be better fights than against the likes of Ruiz, Rahman and Peter, but the money is at Heayweight and Toney doesn have to train as hard, so Heavyweight it is.

Just look at Tyson, who is 5'10. At 234 he would be in reasonable shape. Wheras Toney looks like he's swimming through syrup. No way is Toney a legitimate HW, its just the guys he is fighting have a very low skill level.

The division is a pile of shit.

Can't disagree with that assessment.

sure but what I'm getting at is that it was much vaunted that James Toney was going to be in terrific shape, and yet he's been skipping training sessions and pissing off Roach.

viciousmaussa wrote:sure but what I'm getting at is that it was much vaunted that James Toney was going to be in terrific shape, and yet he's been skipping training sessions and pissing off Roach.

Yeah but apart from getting Toney in shape and sharpening him up in sparring and on the pads, what else can Roach do? He cant teach him anything.

All I know is, Toney hasnt ben in shape for a good few years, he dnot need to be cause the division is crap.

True, but I cant help worrying that Toney is heading for trouble fighting these big guys when he's basically not in the shape to take punishment... I've noticed in recent interviews that his voice sounds like its coming through a bad telephone connection, if you watch some of his early interviews at say Middleweight, the difference in his speech is quite shocking...