02.09.05 – Photo: Michael Zito for SHOWTIME – Three-time world champion James “Lights Out” Toney (left), promoter Dan Goossen and Dominick “The Southern Disaster” Guinn pose after Thursday’s press conference in Sherman Oaks, Calif., to formally announce their big fight on SHOWTIME Saturday, Oct. 1 (9:15 ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). Toney will defend his IBA heavyweight belt against Guinn in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. In an excellent matchup, Rafael Marquez defends his IBF bantamweight crown against Silence Mabuza in the co-feature.
JAMES TONEY (68-4-2, 43 KOs): “I am still the IBF champion, period. If I were on steroids, I would be cut. Look at me, do I look like I am on steroids? I am not thinking about anything but Guinn, October 1 on SHOWTIME. I am still the champion. The belt does not make me, I make the belt. I beat Ruiz with one hand and they stripped me. So what. I will still unify the belts. If (Vitali) Klitschko wants to keep ducking me, I will get the other belts.”
“I am glad Guinn is talking, running his mouth. Let us wait for the fight. Let us see who is still talking after the fight. I do not respect that guy. I do not respect anybody.”
“He better have his track shoes on October 1.”
DOMINICK GUINN (25-2-1, 18 KOs): “I know what I have to do. What Toney says goes in one ear and out the other. I brought my shovel to this luncheon. Toney can say what he wants, but he still has to step in the ring. He is trying to be like Mike Tyson and intimidate me before the fight. That is not going to happen. I will be ready come Oct. 1.”
“Toney will be slipping, moving and trying to stick. He is going to bring out the best in me. I am going to make Toney look older and slower than he is and beat him to the punch. I am a better athlete and more talented.”
“I will be a champion. I am working hard. I have to take advantage of this opportunity. I have not shown my best fight yet.”
“I came out here in May and met Joe Goossen. I should have made the change (in trainers) a long time ago. I need someone calm in my corner like Goossen. He is teaching me some new things in the gym like staying busy in the ring and not staying back.”