Boy, I’ve had enough with these damn heavyweights. But wait, there’s one more.
All this talk of Russians, Russians and Russians; finally, we have two black heavyweights risking it all for the #1 spot for the WBC title, currently held by Oleg Maskaev.
Perhaps Rahman should be credited for clearing up the heavyweight landscape. After all, wasn’t he the last line of defense? Well, the clarity has surfaced finally – four white guys from the former Soviet Union are now the rulers of the heavyweight division.
While you let that sink in, let’s think about next week’s eliminator showdown between James Toney and Samuel Peter.
Amazingly enough, Toney’s is undefeated at heavyweight, having gone 3-0-1-1 in his last five outings. The term potential is never allowed to be used in the same sentence with Toney, but nonetheless, it really doesn’t matter now, does it?
Toney defies an ideal prospect of being an athlete. Sporting a massive gut, with flappy jello’esque bicepts, this guy defines a true meaning of a throwback. Progressively increasing in weight since his dominant stoppage win over Evander Holyfield, at heavyweight, Toney proudly exemplifies the cliché ‘skills pay the bills’.
In his second attempt at the world heavyweight title, Toney showed up at a bludgeoning 238 pounds (a career high), appeared grotesquely out of shape.
Disappointingly enough, yet the Ann-Arbor native, still managed to pull out a draw against a naturally bigger foe in Hasim Rahman.
Reflecting on the fight, which had its share of moments, the better technician in the ring was obviously apparent. Despite the controversial outcome, it was Toney who appeared to be the much superior fighter in in every way except for physical appearance.
There lies the difference between a powerful one-hit wonder heavyweight and a blown-up but a great fighter in James Toney.
But be that as it may, Toney’s facing a much more dangerous opponent this Saturday, against much younger and stronger foe in Sam Peter of Nigeria. Peter, who posses nitro in both hands, is without a doubt, the hardest puncher, Toney has faced throughout his career. Despite his recent success at heavyweight, Toney’s chin is a bit of suspect against a hard puncher such as Peter himself.
Comparing the punching power of a John Ruiz and a Sam Peter is like comparing a Toyota Tacoma and Ford Lightening. You get the picture.
Provided Toney wins this Saturday, it’s another testament to his already great legacy, but at the same time, we rhetorically ask ourselves – are today’s heavyweights that bad?
WEIGH-IN, PREDICTIONS, AND MY TOP 10
To a surprise by many, Toney weighed in four pounds lighter than his previous fight, at 233 pounds, on Thursday after noon. His opponent Peter, weighed in heavier than usual, at 255 pounds.
Had it been 260 pounds as Toney earlier claimed to be, it would’ve been an easy choice to go with the Nigerian powerhouse. However, this is one of those fights, that you can’t really pick until you see the weigh-in.
At age 38, nearing 40, how much does ‘Lights Out’ have left in the tank? It’s been a long and illustrious career, but I think Toney just might have a fight or two left in him in the world class stage.
In the end, I still favor the ‘fat man”s superior skills and defense over the younger yet often times lethargic Peter. Expect a 115-113ish twelve-rounder dictated by Toney’s slick defense and counter punching.
As of now, my top ten heavyweight ranking stands as followed (in order) – Wladimir Klitschko, James Toney, Chris Byrd, Sergei Liakahovich, Lamon Brewster, Oleg Maskaev, Hasim Rahman, Nicolai Valuev, Sam Peter, John Ruiz, and Calvin Brock.
Just missing the cut – Monte Barrett, Ray Austin, Sultan Ibragimov, Luan Krasniqi, Larry Donald, Ruslan Chagaev
FINAL TILT
Finally, consensus pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. has found a dance partner for his November 4th PPV date, challenging a welterweight champion. The badnews? That welterweight champion isn’t named Antonio Margarito.
But it’s okay, I’d settle for Carlos Baldomir. After-all, he’s the linear welterweight king, who beat the man, who beat the man….and so on. But do you really expect the PPV sales to reach at a significant number between a great fighter against a good solid champion with 11 losses on his ledger?
Considering the nationalities of these two men, this fight somewhat reminds me of 1997′s jr. middleweight title clash between Pernell Whitaker and Julio Cesar Vasquez, won by the great ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker.
Only difference? Vasquez only had one loss, was a very good and strong 154lb. champion while it was clear Whitaker was too small to be competing at 154 pounds. A risky fight for good ole’ Pernell it was.
But let’s remember, boxing has always been a business. Like all sports, this industry provides sense only if it speaks money. I at least hope one day to see Mayweather in the ring against Margarito.
Is it a fight ‘Pretty Boy’ really need to take at this stage of his career? No, but for the fans, it would be one hell of a treat.
Do you honestly think Baldomir will win more than two rounds against Mayweather? If you really had to think….well, there’s your answer.