James Toney Camp Notes: News, Notes & Plenty of Quotes

09.09 - TRAINING UPDATE: James Toney is ending his fifth week of training as he continues to prepare for the biggest fight of his career. Toney’s thrice daily workouts consist of cardio, strength training and the usual boxing drills.

“Lights Out” is looking buff, gruff and ready to shock the world when he takes on legendary four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield in an important 12-round fight on SHOWTIME PPV Oct. 4 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

TAKING IT TO THE BLANK: Other than his sparring at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Calif., all of Toney’s cardio and strength training have been held at the world famous Billy Blanks Gym in Van Nuys, Calif.

Blanks’ trainer for the past 15 years, John Arthur, has been working with Toney since 1999. Although the TaeBo workout is the norm at Blanks’ gym, James has brought a bit of the boxing world to members and visitors of the facility.

A typical verbal exchange between Blanks and Toney:

“Billy, I am coming for you next after I KO Holyfield,” Toney said.

“James, I do not run from anybody,” Blanks fired back.’’

WORKING WITH COACH ROACH: Toney's trainer, the respected Freddie Roach, who returned the other day from Germany where he worked the corner of former World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, has been playing the role of the lion tamer during recent sparring sessions.

“Freddie, you should have brought me back those German Frankenstein's to feed on because I am going to run everyone out of the gym today,’’ said Toney, referring to Wladimir and his older brother, Vitali, said. “Line ’em up.’’

The classy Roach, always the calming influence in James' corner, rolls his eyes, smiles his usual smile, whispers instructions, and sets his man back on the loose for another round, much to the dismay of sparring partner, undefeated heavyweight Terry Smith.

“Freddie, please, make some calls, I am breaking this man,” Toney says. “Bring me some new meat!’’

HEAVYWEIGHT CLEANUP (CONT.): It was not long ago the Wild Card gym was filled with heavyweights working out daily. What happened?

“This is my house and they cannot take the heat,” Toney explained. “When I was fighting at 160 pounds, I sparred with heavyweights. This is not anything new for me. I have been running heavyweights out of gyms as long as I have been running my mouth, and you all know how long that has been.’’

THE LION ROARS …. AND ROARS … AND ROARS: “The War on Oct. 4! I cannot imagine a better title for this event,’’ Toney, still warming up, says. “Holyfield and I are warriors that will bring respect back to the heavyweight division.

“Lennox (Lewis) wants to retire and play chess. Roy (Jones) wants out as soon as he got in. Corrie Sanders? I think he is the guy who started KFC. I do not know how he became champion of the world? In the commercials, he looked old with that beard and white hair, but I guess he was young enough to beat Frankenstein Klitschko.’’

James howls out to Roach: “Freddie, please tell me you taught that boy how to fight? Freddie, I know you are good, but you ain't no miracle worker!’’

PROF’S HEAVYWEIGHT TRASH TALK (PART II): “(David) Tua vs. (Hasim) Rahman? It is shameful to think they may fight for the heavyweight championship again,” Toney says. “Those two guys should do the right thing and request that Holyfield and I fight for the title. Who would want to see those two bums fight again? They should do the boxing public a favor and step aside for two legends of the sport.

“In return, I will make sure (promoter) Dan (Goossen) gets them front row seats -- in the bleachers, they do not deserve up close -- on Oct. 4, so they can watch and learn how to fight like real fighters. Come on boys? You guys do not like training anyway. Come to the classroom and watch Professor Toney!’’

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: A brave bystander blurts out, “James, have you left anyone out?’’

“"Yeah, you!” James barked back.

It should be noted that not only did Toney spare the sarcastic, yet respectful reporter, he left him with plenty to write about.