A two-time fighter of the year and a three-weight world champion, James Toney was without question one of the best pound for pound fighters in boxing in the 1990s.
In a 90 fight professional career that remarkably went on until 2017, Toney shared the ring with the likes of Roy Jones Jr and Evander Holyfield, and was described by legendary trainer Freddie Roach as the most naturally talented fighter he had ever seen.
And, in a feature with RingTV, ‘Lights Out’ has revealed who was the best fighter of the many he shared a ring with, and seemed fairly certain.
“Mike McCallum — That’s an easy choice, right off the top of my head it’s the Body Snatcher. He was the best fighter I fought at middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight.”
“Out of all the fighters I fought, I respect him the most because he made me think about everything I tried to do. Before McCallum I was just runnin’ in on everyone, but he made me slow down and think for the first time.”
Toney and McCallum locked horns in 1992 and 1997, with Toney emerging with close fought decision wins on both occasions.
Remarkably, despite being 55 years of age, it appears Toney is going to return to the ring once again.
It was announced this week that he will be taking on former Mike Tyson opponent Donovan ‘Razor’ Ruddock, 59, in Kingston Jamaica on November 11th.
The bout has been branded grotesque by some, with many of the opinion that Toney already appears to be showing signs of cognitive decline.