05.02.04 – Question: James Toney, can you briefly recap how you hurt yourself, the extent of the injury and what you are going to be doing from here on out.
Toney: What happened the last week of training was that I was sparring with one of my sparring partners. I was going at him pretty good, getting ready to go for the finishing blow. I stuck in for a left hook and the ankle just snapped. I thought it was a sprain or something like that, but then we got to the doctor and he said it was a torn Achilles tendon. You know, things happen. Jameel McCline got a blessing; he got a break; but I will be back. There is going to be another one.
Question: Have you ever suffered any type of injury before in your career that sidelined you for more than a few days?
Toney: No, this is the first time I have ever had to pull out of a fight. Even when I should have, I did not. I am disappointed for the fans because they were looking forward to this fight and giving SHOWTIME a great show. But it might turn out to be a blessing. Like I said, it was a blessing for him because he was about to get embarrassed and get knocked out by a small man. McCline is doing all the talking now, but why wasn’t he talking when I was healthy? But I am going to get him. Not now, but a little longer down the line. Dan Goossen is my promoter. He knows what he is doing, so when I come back I want the biggest and best thing out there and I do not care who it is.
Question: What do the doctors say as far as you having to stay off your foot or stay out of the ring? When do you think you can be back?
Toney: Well, I want to be back tomorrow, but the doctor said I have to be in a hard cast right now for six weeks, and then after that I go to a boot for four. The doctor says I can resume some boxing movements by the end of April.
Question: James, what was it like to have some media in the gym watching when you got hurt?
Toney: I am not embarrassed if that is what you are asking.
Comment: No, it is just a little unusual that it happened that way.
Toney: Yeah, I know it was a freak accident. The only thing I am glad about is that Dan was not there. Other than that, it was good to have the fans and media out there to watch me work out and see what I was going to do to the guy.
Question: James, will you be staying at heavyweight when you come back?
Toney: Yes. When my leg heals, Dan will turn me loose on the next big guy. I will be ready to fight anybody, anywhere, any time. All Dan has to do is sign them up and I knock them down.
Question: James, do you think that you will get the chance eventually to fight McCline again?
Toney: Let me tell you something: Jameel might get knocked out on the next fight. I am not worried about him. If he wants to step up and get in line again when I get back, that is fine. I will give him a retirement party.
Question: Do you think you will be able to fight by the end of the year?
Toney: I am going to fight by the end of the year, I guarantee that. And I will be heavyweight champ by the end of the year, too.
Question: James, what was your true, initial reaction once you realized you were hurt?
Toney: When the doctor came and told me that my Achilles was snapped, right then I cried. I am not going to lie to you. I am going to be a man, I am going to admit it. I cried on the table because I was mad because the fight was postponed. Like I said, I have never had an injury before in my life. I have never had to postpone a fight. I fought when I was sick. As you know, there were times I should have pulled out but I never did. For something like this to happen to me, especially an Achilles injury, it kills me. Everybody was pumped for this fight. And then I got hurt. But you know, things happen for a reason. It is better it happened in the gym than in the fight.
Question: Was that the first time you had ever cried for anything involving any kind of sporting activity with you?
Toney: Yeah, because you know, my heart was into it. I had been training for three months. I was ready to go. If it would have been a sprained ankle, I would have had it taped up in a splint and still went in and fought and still knocked him out. That is the kind of fighter I am.
Question: What do you think the result will be if you met up with Roy Jones again?
Toney: What do you mean what I think the result would be? I’d knock him up.
Comment: Do you have any closing comments, James?
Toney: Yes, I will be back. Bigger, better and stronger. I cannot wait.