11.05.05 – By Izyaslav “Slava” Koza: Not two days ago, I sat down in front of my computer to write about wanting to see Toney vs. Byrd on the July 23rd, and now that seems like a distant memory. It has been reported that James Toney has tested positive for an Anabolic steroid, and will possibly be stripped of his newly won title. This is probably the worst news that could have possibly happened.. It’s ironic, isn’t it, that in my article about their potential fight on July 23rd, I was talking about the best boxing news, and sadly, I’m now discussing this utter 180 degree nightmare that will potentially give boxing not one, but two black eyes and a low blow to boot.
First off, let’s get something straight, I don’t buy the whole “Toney didn’t know thing.” It has become too convenient for fighters these days to pass the blame on to somebody else. Too many people are blaming their physician for prescribing them some magic drug that they innocently take unaware of the consequences. Honestly, this is utter bullsh*t and here is why:
Either the fighter was completely aware of what he had done and tried to cover it up, or he completely doesn’t give a flying fu—about his career. How can any fighter who claims to be taking boxing seriously, not check to see what exactly he is taking? Even if this story is true, and Toney was accidentally given something, without knowledge of it, doesn’t that still make him responsible to find out whether or not this will have any side effects, and more importantly whether it will affect ANY drug screenings (because, hey, boxers go through those almost ALL the time).
If he finds out, he still has options in either: one, not taking the drug and dealing with pain, or healing or whatever the drug is for, or taking it but making sure to notify team Ruiz and the boxing commissions that this is what he took and what it might do to any drug tests. Then you either have Ruiz’s team sign off on it, or postpone the fight. That is how its done. If James Toney or his team tried to cover this up no matter what the truth was, they are guilty. If James Toney or his team were incompetent enough to not quadruple check on what kind of medication he was taking, then, hey, guess what? They’re still guilty of being incompetent.
Look, I am not hating on James Toney, I am just being honest. I don’t think that any drug helped him beat Ruiz because he wasn’t in shape anyway, and nothing he did really suggested he was on drugs. I am a fan of James Toney through and through now, but I cannot lie and say that this is forgivable, because it’s not. We the fans have been potentially cheated, of a morally satisfying victory if Toney is stripped.
The worst part of this is that Ruiz will get the title back again, and can call himself the three-time Heavyweight champ, even though he never beat anybody to win it the second and third time. To John Ruiz: please understand that your attempts at sounding like an oppressed victim don’t mean anything to me. Not once have you proven yourself, or conducted yourself, like a true champion. The victories you have are some of the worst wins in boxing history if you can even call them that. Beat a single decent fighter impressively, before talking about returning, and all that other crap I have read recently.
To James Toney: If these steroid allegations ring true, I hope you admit to your mistake, whether it be that you actually took the drugs, or that you were incompetent in not making sure about the consequences.
I am convinced boxing has to be cursed.