James Toney boxer

James Toney boxer
bouts
92
won
77
lost
10
draw
3
Status
inactive
Division
middleweight
Debut
1988-10-26
Height
5′ 10″/178cm
Reach
72″/183cm
Age
-
Born
1968-08-24
Death
-
Nationality
USA

James Nathaniel Toney (born August 24, 1968) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2017. He held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the IBF and lineal middleweight titles from 1991 to 1993, the IBF super middleweight title from 1993 to 1994, and the IBF cruiserweight title in 2003. Toney also challenged twice for a world heavyweight title in 2005 and 2006, and was victorious the first time but was later stripped due to a failed drug test. Overall, he competed in fifteen world title fights across four weight classes.Stylistically a defensive boxer, Toney utilized the shoulder roll technique taught to him by veteran trainer Bill Miller, who had once trained heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles. Toney was an exceptional counterpuncher and inside fighter, who often preferred to fight off the ropes. He possessed fast hand speed and respectable punching power throughout his career and is also noted for his toughness, having never lost any of his 92 professional bouts via stoppage.In 1991 and 2003, Toney was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 2011, The Ring magazine ranked him as tenth on their list of the "10 best middleweight title holders of the last 50 years." He has also made a one-time appearance in mixed martial arts, losing to Randy Couture at UFC 118. In 2001, Toney played the role of Joe Frazier in the movie Ali alongside Will Smith.Toney was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. At around age 11, Toney first entered a boxing gym, but did not seriously pursue the sport until graduating high school. Growing up, Toney lived alongside the families of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Buster Mathis Jr., and Toney's father himself (who was absent for Toney's upbringing) was a boxer. As a teen, Toney was often involved in street fighting and sold crack cocaine. Prior to his career in boxing, Toney was also a star football player; after high school he received scholarship offers from Western Michigan to play quarterback and from Michigan to play as a defensive back. But Toney said, "I wasn't a team player and wasn't good at taking orders. So I went into boxing." Toney also lost a significant amount of weight to begin his boxing career, having weighed 205 lbs. Toney was supposedly involved in an altercation with future Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders while at a Michigan training camp.Toney had a brief but relatively successful amateur career, compiling a record of 33 wins (32 KOs) and 2 losses.citation needed Toney had his first professional fight on October 26, 1988, beating Stephen Lee by a technical knockout in the second round. As a teenager, Toney was scouted and trained by Gregory Owens, who also was his trainer through the mid-nineties. His moniker of "Lights Out" was also given by either Gregory or his son. In his 7th pro fight, Toney's manager, Johnny "Ace" Smith, was killed. Afterwards, Jackie Kallen was hired as his manager. Toney also employed the services of legendary Detroit-based trainer Bill Miller. Miller, a former boxer himself who worked in Detroit's famed Kronk Gym and assisted hall-of-fame trainer Emanuel Steward at times, is credited with developing Toney's famed "old school" or "throwback" style of fighting.Toney won the IBF and lineal middleweight titles by knocking out Michael Nunn in eleven rounds in May 1991. Toney, who entered as a 20-to-1 underdog, was down on all three judges' scorecards, but landed a left hook that put Nunn on the canvas in the eleventh round, and eventually scored a stoppage victory. The win also earned Toney the Ring Magazine Fighter Of The Year award. Toney continued a regular fight program over the next 18 months at middleweight, before outgrowing the division, where he made several successful yet disputed defenses. The most noteworthy was Toney's split decision win over Dave Tiberi in a fight that many experts feel Toney lost. The decision was so controversial that it prompted United States Senator William Roth of Delaware to call for an investigation into possible corruption in the sport. Toney also won a split decision title defense against Reggie Johnson in June 1991, retained his title with a draw against former WBA champ Mike McCallum in December 1991, and again against McCallum, this time by a majority decision, in December 1992. The McCallum fight would be Toney's last as a middleweight.

Date Opponent Last Opponents' Results Place Result
2017-05-13 Mike Sheppard LWWLDL Eastern Michigan Convocation Center, Ypsilanti WIN
KO
2015-08-08 Charles Ellis LWWWLL Chase Hotel, Saint Louis LOST
Unanimous decision
2013-11-14 Matt Legg WWLWWW York Hall, Bethnal Green WIN
Technical knockout
2013-06-28 Kenny Lemos LWLWDW Sky Ute Casino, Ignacio WIN
Unanimous decision
2013-04-28 Lucas Browne WWWWWW Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne LOST
Unanimous decision
2012-04-07 Bobby Gunn WDWWWL Landers Center, Southaven WIN
Corner retirement
2011-11-04 Denis Lebedev WWWWLW Khodynka Ice Palace, Moscow LOST
Unanimous decision
2011-02-24 Damon Reed WLLWWL San Manuel Indian Casino, Highland WIN
Unanimous decision
2009-09-12 Matthew Greer WWWWLL Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula WIN
KO
2008-12-13 Fres Oquendo WWLWWW Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon WIN
Split-decision
2008-07-16 Hasim Rahman DLWWWW Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula NC
No Contest
2007-05-24 Danny Batchelder WWLLWL HP Pavilion, San Jose WIN
Split-decision
2007-01-06 Samuel Peter WWLWWW Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood LOST
Unanimous decision
2006-09-02 Samuel Peter WWWLWW Staples Center, Los Angeles LOST
Split-decision
2006-03-18 Hasim Rahman WWWWWW Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City DRAW
Majority decision
2005-10-01 Dominick Guinn WWLWLD Reno Events Center, Reno WIN
Unanimous decision
2005-04-30 John Ruiz DWLWWW Madison Square Garden, New York NC
2004-09-23 Rydell Booker WWWWWW Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula WIN
Unanimous decision
2003-10-04 Evander Holyfield LWLDWL Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas WIN
Technical knockout
2003-04-26 Vassiliy Jirov WWWWWW Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket WIN
Unanimous decision
2002-08-18 Jason Robinson WWLWWW Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula WIN
KO
2002-05-31 Michael Rush WWLWWW Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City WIN
Technical knockout
2002-03-22 Sione Asipeli WWLLWW Celebrity Theater, Phoenix WIN
Unanimous decision
2001-07-20 Wesley Martin WWLLLL Crystal Park Casino, Compton WIN
Technical knockout
2001-03-29 Saul Montana WWLLWL Cobo Hall, Detroit WIN
Technical knockout
2000-11-03 Courtney Butler LWWLDW Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona WIN
Technical knockout
2000-01-21 Terry McGroom LWWWWW DePaul Alumni Hall, Chicago WIN
Majority decision
1999-10-08 Ramon Garbey WWWWWL Roseland Ballroom, Taunton WIN
Unanimous decision
1999-07-30 Adolpho Washington WLLLWL Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket WIN
Technical knockout
1999-03-07 Terry Porter WWWLDW Celebrity Theater, Phoenix WIN
Technical knockout
1997-06-14 Steve Little WWWLWW Grand Casino, Biloxi WIN
Unanimous decision
1997-05-14 Drake Thadzi WWWWLW Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket LOST
Majority decision
1997-02-22 Mike McCallum WWWLWL Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville WIN
Unanimous decision
1996-12-06 Montell Griffin WWWWWW Lawlor Events Center, Reno LOST
Unanimous decision
1996-08-09 Duran Williams WWWDWL Casino Magic, Bay Saint Louis WIN
Technical knockout
1996-07-03 Charles Oliver LLLWLW Station Casino, Saint Charles WIN
Unanimous decision
1996-05-14 Earl Butler DDLLWW Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket WIN
Technical knockout
1996-03-01 Richard Mason WWWLWL Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio WIN
Unanimous decision
1995-12-08 Greg Everett WWWWWW Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket WIN
KO
1995-09-09 Ernest Mateen LLWWLL Caesars Palace, Las Vegas WIN
1995-06-18 Freddie Delgado WWLLWW Performing Arts Theater, New Orleans WIN
Technical knockout
1995-04-30 Anthony Hembrick WLLWLW Rio Casino, Las Vegas WIN
Corner retirement
1995-03-20 Karl Willis WWLDL The Palace, Auburn Hills WIN
Technical knockout
1995-02-18 Montell Griffin WWWWWW MGM Grand, Las Vegas LOST
Majority decision
1994-11-18 Roy Jones Jr WWWWWW MGM Grand, Las Vegas LOST
Unanimous decision
1994-07-29 Charles Williams WWLWWW MGM Grand, Las Vegas WIN
KO
1994-05-18 Vinson Durham LLLWWW Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Rosemont WIN
Unanimous decision
1994-03-05 Tim Littles WWWWWW Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles WIN
Technical knockout
1994-01-16 Anthony Hembrick LWWWWL Fernwood Resort, Bushkill WIN
Technical knockout
1993-10-29 Tony Thornton WLWWWW Civic Center, Tulsa WIN
Unanimous decision
1993-08-24 Larry Prather WLLLLL The Palace, Auburn Hills WIN
Unanimous decision
1993-07-29 Danny Garcia WWWWLL Fernwood Resort, Bushkill WIN
Corner retirement
1993-06-06 Glenn Thomas WWWWWL Aladdin Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas WIN
Unanimous decision
1993-04-17 Ricky Thomas WWLLLL Fernwood Resort, Bushkill WIN
Technical knockout
1993-03-23 Govoner Chavers WWWLLL The Palace, Auburn Hills WIN
Technical knockout
1993-02-13 Iran Barkley LWWWWW Caesars Palace, Las Vegas WIN
Corner retirement
1992-12-05 Doug DeWitt LWWLDW Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City WIN
Corner retirement
1992-08-29 Mike McCallum WWWWDW Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno WIN
Majority decision
1992-05-26 Ricky Stackhouse WWWWLW The Palace, Auburn Hills WIN
Technical knockout
1992-04-11 Glenn Wolfe WWWWWL Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas WIN
Unanimous decision
1992-02-08 Dave Tiberi WLWWWW Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City WIN
Split-decision
1991-12-13 Mike McCallum WWWWWW Convention Hall, Atlantic City DRAW
Split-decision
1991-10-12 Francesco Dell'Aquila WWWWWW Stade Louis II, Fontvieille WIN
Technical knockout
1991-06-29 Reggie Johnson WWWWWW Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas WIN
Split-decision
1991-05-10 Michael Nunn WWWWWW John O'Donnell Stadium, Davenport WIN
Technical knockout
1991-03-31 Alberto Gonzalez WLWWWW Sands Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas WIN
Technical knockout
1991-01-13 Merqui Sosa WWWWWW Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City WIN
Split-decision
1990-12-10 Carlos Silva debut Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dearborn WIN
Technical knockout
1990-10-16 Sanderline Williams WLLLDL Hyatt Regency, Tampa WIN
Unanimous decision
1990-08-24 Kevin Brazier LLWLLL Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dearborn WIN
Technical knockout
1990-07-26 Sanderline Williams LLWLLL Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dearborn DRAW
Majority decision
1990-06-27 Ricardo Bryant WLWWLL Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Dearborn WIN
Technical knockout
1990-05-23 Horacio Rene Brandan LWWWWW The Palace, Auburn Hills WIN
KO
1990-04-27 Jose Luis Esteven W Trump Castle, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
1990-04-05 Toby Tyler WLLLLL The Palace, Auburn Hills WIN
Technical knockout
1990-03-01 Philip Morefield WLWLLL The Palace, Auburn Hills WIN
KO
1990-01-20 Danny Thomas LLWLLL The Palace, Auburn Hills WIN
Unanimous decision
1989-11-29 Joe Johnson WWLLWL The Palace, Auburn Hills WIN
Technical knockout
1989-11-13 Ron Amundsen DLWWWL Central Park Athletic Club, Milwaukee WIN
Unanimous decision
1989-10-26 Robert Clinton L International Hotel & Resorts, Atlantic City WIN
KO
1989-10-12 Ricardo Simpson LLLLLL The Palace, Auburn Hills WIN
Technical knockout
1989-09-21 Joe Summers WLLLWD Resorts International, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
1989-09-07 Lemark Davis LWWLWW The Palace, Auburn Hills WIN
Unanimous decision
1989-07-20 Mark Stephens WLLLLL Detroit Boat Club, Detroit WIN
Technical knockout
1989-06-06 Steve Chaney LLLL Memphis WIN
KO
1989-05-02 Arthur Willis W Memphis WIN
Split-decision
1989-02-16 James Fernandez WWLW Premier Center, Sterling Heights WIN
Unanimous decision
1989-01-17 Sammy Jenkins debut Premier Center, Sterling Heights WIN
Technical knockout
1989-01-10 Carl Penn LLLLLL Memphis WIN
KO
1988-12-06 Ronnie Yoe LLLLLL Omni New Daisy Theater, Memphis WIN
KO
1988-10-26 Stephen Lee LWLWLL Thomas Crystal Gardens, Mount Clemens WIN
Technical knockout