James Toney Media
Teleconference Quotes February 4, 2011
A media teleconference was held on
Wednesday, February 2, 2011, to discuss the return to boxing of former
middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and cruiserweight
champion James "Lights Out" Toney.
On Thursday, February 24, at the San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino in San
Bernardino, California, The Empire Sports and Entertainment will proudly
present the next installment of their "Fight Night in America" series,
this time featuring Toney (72-6-3, 44 KOs) defending his IBA Heavyweight
Championship against Topeka, Kansas, veteran "Dangerous" Damon Reed
(45-14, 32 KOs) in the Fox Sports televised 12-round main event.
James Toney
My name, James Toney, speaks for itself. I want to thank Damon Reed for
stepping up to fight me. Everybody is scared to fight me. The media puts
the emphasis on the Bitschko Sisters and David Haye, but I'm the top dog
in the heavyweight division, no doubt about it.
At this stage in your life, why continue in boxing? What is left to do?
All the so-called boxing experts haven't given me my respect yet. When I
first turned pro at 157 lbs, I told everybody I would be heavyweight
champion of the world one day. I've done that twice. I'm a heavyweight
champion now, but I want to unify the division. I want the Klitschko
sisters. I want David Haye. I want to be the man and then I'll bow out
gracefully. Until then I'll keep doing what I'm doing. My skills keep
getting better.
Everybody talks about the Klitschkos are great. People who know boxing
for real know they're garbage. David Haye is garbage. I've got the best
skills in the game. Nobody can touch me. You know why the heavyweight
division is so terrible? Because all these supposed world champions are
cowards. They let these Klitschkos fight nobody over there. I've been
chasing them for seven years. Even now they won't fight me. I'm just
going to keep defending my belt and knocking out everybody they put in
front of me. Until these clowns fight someone like me they have no
credibility.
What kind of fight are you expecting from Damon Reed?
I expect Damon to bring the fight to me and do what he does best. I
don't expect him to run or do anything different. Anybody fights James
Toney is coming to win. I commend him for taking the fight and God bless
him. Everybody come up to the San Manuel on February 24, have a good
time, drink and gamble and watch somebody get knocked out... and it
won't be me.
You've spent a lot of time training in MMA. Is it hard to get back into
boxing?
I'm still doing both. My mind hasn't changed. I'm a warrior. What
happened last August was a fluke. It'll never happen again. Everybody
knows I'm the best heavyweight in the world. I'm not worried about
fighting the Klitschko sisters or David Haye. They know what I can do.
Everybody knows I'm the purest, best fighter in the game.
Do you expect to fight a few more times this year?
I would like to fight like I used to six or seven times a year, but I
hope I get can four fights in this year, realistically.
How along are you willing to wait for the Klitschkos or David Haye?
I'm not worried about it. I'm already heavyweight champion. When they
retire from boxing, they will just be the first brothers to be world
champions. James Toney will be known as a legend. I'm the first guy to
go from middleweight to heavyweight and compete. I've fought the best
fighters in the world. Look at my record. Nobody in the last twenty
years has done with I've done.
Damon Reed
Thank you Greg and James for giving me this opportunity. James is a
future hall of famer, no doubt about it. It's an honor and a privilege
to be able to fight him. After all the big names I have fought, I feel
like this one is my opportunity. James Toney is a guy I think I can
beat. I'm looking at this as a golden opportunity and I'm going to give
it my best.
You say you can beat James Toney. What are your keys to victory?
I see myself being a lot busier. James, as a middleweight, was the best
there was, but as a heavyweight he doesn't throw enough punches. I will
just be busier than him and outbox him. Not to take anything away from
him but I've improved to the point that I can box for 12 rounds and
outpoint the guy.
What do you think of the claims that the Klitschkos are ducking James?
I don't doubt anything in this sport. James is a great fighter who is
dangerous for anyone to fight. This is what boxing is about, giving
people what they want. There is a world title at stake in this fight.
Boxing isn't getting the publicity that MMA is getting anymore, so
fights like these are what keep the sport alive.
Greg Cohen
We're thrilled to be working with the San Manuel Indian Bingo and
Casino. They really could not be a classier organization. Together,
we're going to put on a tremendous event February 24 as part of our
monthly Fight Night in America series on Fox Sports Net. The main event
features the return of living legend and future hall of famer James
Toney. James will be defending his IBA Heavyweight title against one of
my favorite guys in the sport, the always dangerous Damon Reed.
What do you feel this fight will do for the heavyweight division?
Any time you have a living legend like James stepping into the ring,
it's terrific for the fans. I think James still has some things to prove
and a lot left in the tank. I think he has some things he still wants to
do in this sport. Anytime the fans get a chance to watch a fighter like
James Toney in action, it's great. The heavyweight division is very
boring right now, especially in this country. James is a colorful
personality inside and outside the ring. He's one of the best to ever
lace up the gloves and it's going to be a treat for everyone.
You said the heavyweight division is boring in this country. Is it
boring or are the fighters over here not getting the exposure because of
everything moving overseas?
I think it's a little bit of both. The bigger fights have been overseas
of late, but all it takes is one exciting performance to turn that
around, whether from a fighter who's been around a long time like James
or a young stud coming up. It's not hard to captivate the public; you
just have to put on a terrific performance. And in boxing we all know
you're only as good as your last fight.
What is Damon bringing to the fight that gives him a chance to win?
Damon is very durable a veteran. He knows how to fight. He's coming to
win. He really does think he can beat James Toney and this is the
opportunity of a lifetime for him. He's coming in shape, not going to be
intimidated. He'll give it his all. He's looking to be the Cinderella
story. He's going in with the right attitude and it'll be great for the
fans.
Why San Manuel?
San Manuel is the prefect venue for this fight. James is local so he's
basically fighting in his backyard. It's a great place to host a fight,
a top-notch casino in California.
