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The Klitschko sisters part cracked me up, lol. Sexist but still funny that he's ripping them like that. James Toney doesn't mind talking, that's for sure. -WB
Boxer James Toney Talks Newfound Motivation & His Plans For The Heavyweight Division
James Toney has 20-plus years as a professional boxer and has fought in several weight divisions throughout. He began his career at Super Middleweight (where he became champion) and eventually moved all the way up the ladder to Heavyweight. While he's always displayed a sharp skill set and potential for greatness, Toney hasn't always showed the determination a great fighter should.
Numerous times throughout his career, the media has criticized his training ethics, due to the shape he's been in for fights. This, coupled with recent less-than-spectacular performances and testing dirty for illegal drugs, has hindered Toney's career. It's never too late to turn things around, and even at 41, Toney agrees.
During his most recent bout against journeyman Matthew Greer earlier this month, Toney showed up a new man. Not only did he look sharp in the ring, but he weighed in at 211 pounds, a number he hasn't seen in a very long time.
With his eye on heavyweight greatness and earning more gold to wrap around his waist, BallerStatus.com met up with met up with James Toney after a recent morning workout at the 360 Health Club, his gym in Reseda, California, where he talked about how he plans to turn his career around, who he has his sights set on, and what's wrong with the heavyweight division today.
BallerStatus.com: I understand you're back in the gym training hard on a daily basis. Where did that spark come from?
James Toney: My fight in September 2007, it was alright. I won the fight, but it wasn't spectacular. Since then, I had to go back to the drawing board, get myself in great shape. It's been nine months of straight up hell, I'm ready to go to work. Can't wait, that weight division is missing me, the fans are missing me. It's time for me to go out there and put that work in.
BallerStatus.com: Have you changed up anything or has something changed with you?
James Toney: I went back to old school James, who was a Super Middleweight. That's who I went back to. Everybody fighting these big guys. These big guys can't take pressure. You know how you put pressure on pipes? Pipes bust. That's what I'mma do to this guy. I'm gonna put the pressure to him, and then, he gonna bust.
BallerStatus.com: Over the past few years, you've been through some controversy -- the losses to Samuel Peters and the suspensions. Do those kinds of things discourage you at all? Does it change your outlook?
James Toney: The two fights with Samuel Peters were bullsh**. Everybody knew the first time I beat him. I destroyed him. Somehow, the judges were drunk. They gave him the decision. Second time, we fought again. I thought I beat him again, but hey ... he ran, he ran, he ran, and he got the decision.
www.ballerstatus.com/2009/09/23/james-toney-talks-newfound-motivation-his-plans-for-the-heavyweight-division/
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