All-time-great boxing champion James “Lights Out” Toney is turning a negative into a positive… As in he’s positive he’s going to Russia to kick Denis Ledbedev’s ass.
After training extremely hard in preparation, Toney was informed not long ago that his unified rules bout with MMA hall-of-famer Ken Shamrock would be delayed until the early part of 2012. Already in terrific shape and weighing near the cruiserweight limit of 200 lbs. Toney has decided to instead re-focus on his boxing career and target the #1 cruiserweight contender Denis Ledbedev, who recently knocked out one of his old-time rivals, Roy Jones Jr.
“November 5, I’m going to invade Russia and show this punk what happens when he messes with the USA,” said the always quotable Toney. “I’m calling it ‘Lights Out in Russia’ because he’s just the first one I’m going to whip. After I beat up this Ledbedev, I’m going back to Heavyweight after the one too afraid to fight the Klitchko sisters. Povetkin, I’m kicking his ass too!”
Toney was last seen in the ring in February when he pitched a 10-round shutout over veteran Damon Reed. He is the current IBA Heavyweight Champion.
“If they think the Roy Jones fight was big over there, wait till I get there and tell them all what I think about European fighters bringing great American fighters over there once they’re showing signs of age and acting like beating them means anything. The Roy Jones that this Ledbedev beat was finished. I’m ready and I’m as good as I’ve ever been. Watch what I do to him. And now I hear Povetkin wants to beat up Evander Holyfield, he’s been done since I knocked his ass out in 2003. If Povetkin isn’t scared he can jump in the ring after I put his teammate away on November 5th”
Toney says he was offered to face Ledbedev at a catchweight, but has been training so hard for his Shamrock showdown that he won’t need any allowances.
“I’m going to beat his ass right at his weight class, so he can’t make any excuses”. The last time James Toney fought at this weight he beat the than undefeated IBF Cruiserweight Champion Vasiliy Jirov in what became 2003 fight of the year. “I’m going to do it again in November.” James ” Lights out” Toney proclaimed.
Please check out the following links to learn more about James Toney:
http://www.jamestoney.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/jameslightsouttoneyfanpage
Paul Nave: Relishing Return to Underdog Role
On Friday, September 16th, former World Boxing Federation (WBF) Welterweight Champion Paul Nave continues his improbable comeback against an undefeated fighter less than half his age in former accomplished amateur Brandon Hoskins, outdoors at Albert Field Park in San Rafael, California. For Nave, a fighter that beat long odds to decision Greg Haugen for his title back in 1998, the fight marks a return to the familiar role of underdog.
Nave (19-8-2, 8 KOs) of San Rafael has gone 4-0 since ending a nine-and-one-half year retirement and felt the time had come to step up the level competition. “The plan was to come back, fight a little more consistently and get in that top shape, get my timing down and then go for it,” says Nave, who will be just days shy of his 51st birthday on fight night. “I’ve had four fights and won all four against average fighters, but the problem is I haven’t been able to keep consistent because of some minor injuries at times.”
Despite being out of the ring since last June, Nave moved ahead and lined up a tough opponent in Hoskins in order to take his comeback to the next level. “The time is running,” admits Nave. “I am not getting any younger and it is kind of now or never for me with the window of opportunity. The idea is I am definitely challenging myself, fighting a kid 15-0 that is less than half my age. I have a daughter his age.”
Hoskins (15-0-1, 8 KOs) of Hannibal, Missouri may be somewhat of an unknown commodity to the average boxing fan, but he comes equipped with credentials that need to be respected. “This guy was a three-time Golden Gloves champion, 50-7 as an amateur,” says Nave of the 24-year-old Hoskins. “I believe his dad owns a gym, so he probably grew up in the gym. He’s is probably going to be in real good shape. My thought is that he is probably a very good boxer, and I am going to have to get him out of his game plan.”
Nave, who is trained by Homer Hall, is preparing for a tough eight-round fight. “We’re sparring well and getting the rounds in,” reports Nave. “I’ve just got to get in the best shape that I can. He’s not coming out to lose, and he’s fighting an older guy, so I am basically the underdog. Even though I have a lot of experience, he’s never lost. But I love the challenge, and that’s what I came back for.”
Nave, who is also the promoter of the fight, worked tirelessly to bring the event to Albert Park Field, something he has wanted to do for roughly a decade. “I’ve played 32-years of fast pitch softball there,” says Nave. “I always thought it would be so cool to have an event there. I am down to my last few fights now, I figured it was now or never to realize my dream have putting on an event there.”
Nave came back to the ring with hopes of landing one more big fight, but he understands he cannot look ahead past the 16th. “Everything hinges on this fight,” says Nave. “If I am to win this fight, it would open up a huge opportunity. But everything is contingent on this fight.”
Even if the result is in doubt heading in, one thing that is not is the effort. “I’ve always said that whether I’ve trained one month or three months, whatever I got it is all going out there,” says Nave. “So I am going to leave everything in the ring, that is for sure, and I am going to do my very best to win.
At my age, I am jumping in deep water, and we will see if I can swim to the top.”
Supporting card:
Surging cruiserweight Lamont Williams (4-1-1, 1 KO) of Fairfield, California will take on Brent Urban (7-4-1, 5 KOs) of Burlingame, California in a six-round bout.
In a women’s attraction, Marquita Lee of Novato, California will make her professional debut against Laura Deanovic (0-2) of San Francisco, California in a four-rounder.
In a four-round pairing of pro debuters, Jesus Partida of Redwood City, California will take on former amateur adversary Denis Madriz of San Francisco in a four-round super featherweight bout.
Rounding out the card, two guys known for giving top fighters tough fights will square off against one another, as Luis Alfredo Lugo (11-16-1, 5 KOs) of Richmond, California will square off against Hector Alatorre (16-16, 5 KOs) of Tulare, California in a four-round welterweight bout.
*All Bouts Subject To Change
Tickets:
$200, $150, $100, $75, $50, $40 and $30 Standing Room Upon Seating Sellout
Liberty Boxing Enterprises (415) 454-1113 – Call Now to Reserve Priority Seating
San Rafael Joe’s – San Rafael (415) 456-2425 T&B Sports – San Rafael (415) 453-2433
Perry’s Delicatessen – Fairfax (415) 456-3580 Nave’s Bar & Grill – Fairfax (415) 457-3220
Perry’s Delicatessen – Novato (415) 892-3240 Marin Coffee Roasters – San Anselmo (415) 258-9549
Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com
Munroe’s Japanese test
RENDALL MUNROE will face Japanese star Ryuta Miyagi at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena on Saturday 24th September.
The ten round non-title battle is chief support when Dewsbury’s Gary Sykes risks his British super-featherweight crown against Cardiff’s Gary Buckland.
Munroe is no stranger to fighting boxers from the Land of the Rising Sun, having challenged WBC champion Toshiaki Nishioka in Tokyo last October when he bravely lost on points.
Osaka’s Miyagi boasts a record of 21 wins (16 inside the distance), five losses and four draws.
He comes into the Munroe test having outpointed countryman Shota Hayashi in July over ten rounds.
Miyagi, 36, scored his best win back in April 2007 when he defeated recent WBA super-bantamweight champion, Ryol Li Lee.
Southpaw Munroe is mandatory contender for his old European crown and currently ranked tenth in the world by the WBA and WBC.
His promoter Ricky Hatton said: “A win over Miyagi and Rendall’s world ranking should improve.
“The main thing is to keep Rendall active so when he does get another world title chance he is primed and ready.
“There is the European title and Rendall’s chance at that is almost due, but we both want a world championship challenge.
“Rendall proved against Nishioka that he belongs at the highest level and I expect him to show that against Miyagi.”
Impressive prospects Adam Etches, Scott Jenkins, Richard Towers and Jezz Wilson are among the local hopefuls boxing on the bill.
Heavyweight Towers and light-middleweight Etches face Belarussian’s Yuri Bihoutseu and Yauheni Abdurazakau, respectively.
Jenkins who has sold 300 tickets bids for his second professional win boxes a selected opponent.
Wilson faces Deeside’s exciting light-middleweight Tom Doran in a battle of Hatton promoted hopefuls.
And the Steel city’s former Commonwealth light-heavyweight challenger Billy Boyle faces Welsh banger Justyn Hugh.
Manchester’s former amateur star Tommy Stubbs makes his pro debut when he faces, tricky Kuwaiti Anwar Alfadi, who boxes out of Brendan Ingle’s stable.
There are some tickets left priced £35, £55 and £75 VIP from 01925 755222. Be quick, this show WILL sell-out.
The card will be screened live by Sky Sports.