Only a Jirov-Toney reunion is a sure thing

One day, there might be a rematch. On Saturday however, there was only a reunion between old rivals who have turned into even older friends.

“We’re cool,’’ James Toney said as he sat on a couch in Vassiliy Jirov’s dressing room, watched Jirov get ready and accompanied him into the ring for his comeback , a second-round stoppage of Jonathan Williams at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix.

More than six years ago, Jirov and Toney were anything but cool. It was more like meltdown, Toney style, before a decision over Jirov for the International Boxing Federation’s cruiserweight title in the 2003 Fight of the Year. Toney threw dishes, cups and profanity at Jirov at the prefight news conference. A couple of days later, Jirov only threw his heavy hands, which weren’t quite enough for victory but enough to create an appetite for a rematch.

Never happened.

Jirov manager Ivaylo Gotzev is trying to recreate the possibility. Toney didn’t say yes, didn’t say no, although he said a lot.

“I’m a heavyweight, man,’’ said Toney, who added that he expects to begin plotting his comeback with promoter Dan Goossen in a meeting Monday. “Everybody knows I’m the best damn heavyweight in the world.’’

Nobody more than Toney, of course.

Before opening bell, Toney, now 41, talked his way around and almost out of a possible encore with somebody whom he has clearly grown to admire and like.

“I’m a heavyweight, man,’’ said Toney, who said he has been training regularly and weighs about 207 pounds. “A big 207, nothing but muscle.’’

Jirov, now 35, plans to resume his career at cruiserweight after mixed results at heavy. He was 198 pounds against Williams, who was at 202 and scored a first-round knockdown.

As it was, Williams almost eliminated the possibility with a first-round knockdown of Jirov, who was fighting for first the time in 27 months

“A slip,’’ said Jirov, who blamed the worn bottom on old shoes for the knockdown and two other slips before his heavy-handed attack floored Williams three times in the second.

Gotzev, Tonye’s manager for the 2003 fight, was pleased with Jirov’s return. He said he wants the 1996 Olympic gold medalist from Kazakstan, now a Scottsdale resident, to fight two more times before a possible rematch with Toney. He hopes to stage Jirov-Toney II early next year.

“We can do it at 210 pounds,’’ Gotzev said.

Sure, Toney said before going straight to the bottom line..

“Just show me the money,’’ Toney said. “Give me a million dollars and I’ll do it.’’