Toney has always talked the talk, but against Ruiz, will he walk the walk?
 Review by Peter Chhim (April 29, 2005)
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No one doubts that James Toney is an excellent fighter. The 36 year old has an outstanding record of 68-4-2 (43), and has held titles in 3 different weight classes. And as of late, the surly heavyweight has been on a tear. Coming off an impressive win over then undefeated Olympic Gold Medalist Vassily Jirov, Tony invaded the Heavyweight division and promptly stopped Once Great, Evander Holyfield. Afterwards, he went about removing the ‘O’ from young, and undefeated, Rydell Booker last summer. His latest ambition is to annex the WBA crown from John Ruiz, 41-5-1 (28), whose style while ugly has been highly effective. When considering Ruiz’s success, this latest conquest becomes something much easier said, than done.
Toney claims that however difficult the style of John Ruiz, he intends to succeed where others has failed. He’ll fight inside, he’ll fight outside, he’ll stand in the pocket and trade, and ultimately he’ll better anything Ruiz has to offer. Which you’re almost compelled to believe considering the amount of experience Toney has in the game of boxing. In fact, he could probably be awarded a Pugilistic PhD, if they gave those out of course.
“I do not care about styles. Styles do not mean anything. I have seen every style in the world. I have been in this game for 18 years. I have been a world champ for 12. Ruiz cannot even touch that.”
Although Toney has claim to a larger body of boxing knowledge than Ruiz, the same could be said for most of Ruiz’s past victims. Golota was supposed to stop him, so where Johnson, Rahman and Oquendo, but Ruiz turned them all away. Actually, he’s made quite a nice living proving others wrong with his box and maul style. So, whose to say James Toney won’t be next? Well, James, of course.
“I am going to be the WBA heavyweight champ of the world. I am ready to go no matter what. I do not care; you want to play rough, I will play rough.”
When you hear James speak you get the feeling he’s absolutely serious about tearing your head off, and if we are to believe what he says, Ruiz will be a former Champion come Sunday morning. However, as is the case with boxing, all the talking in the world won’t do you a lick of good if you can’t back it up in the ring with your hands and your wit. The game of boxing has always been played that way. Well, maybe not for James.
“Boy, you have no idea. I tell you, I will hurt you. We can get it on right now. I do not play boxing. I do this for real.”
Personally, I don’t know how many more teleconferences I will ever sit in on with James Toney holding the mic. You get the feeling that he’s more than talk, and that if you ever were to ever push him, he’d walk the walk right over your pertified ass. Ruiz though, the ‘Quietman’, hasn’t been too forthcoming with venomous spew, and actually he’s been almost respectfuly at times. But damn, I’d sure hate to have to be in his shoes this Saturday.
“I take my hat off to Toney for stepping up to fight the real man in the heavyweight division. He says he is going to bring it, and I hope he is there. I hope he does not sneak out the back door. It is going to be on.”
For Ruiz’s sake, I sure hope he’s not playing, because I highly, highly doubt, James will be.
Ruiz vs. Toney MASSIVE News DoghouseBoxing
Also See by Peter Chhim The Contender: The Abridged Version.
Also See Recent Movie Review by Peter Chhim: Movie Review: Million Dollar Baby.
Also See Recent Book Review by Peter Chhim: The Sweet Science, by A.J. Liebling.
AND: Peter Chhim: Book Review: Bummy Davis vs. Murder Inc. by Ron Ross |
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