James Toney speaks out on Randy Couture
For match being deemed as a freakshow by mixed martial arts fans around the world, International Boxing Association heavyweight champion James Toney has no shortage of confidence in his ability, not only for the fight, but in his future in MMA.
Toney raised eyebrows across the MMA world when he signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championships, and then agreed to fight long-time veteran and legend Randy "The Natural" Couture at UFC 118. While Couture is now a (seemingly ageless) 46 years old, he's a five-time former champion and still a top fighter. Without any MMA experience, Toney is coming in as a huge underdog to the fight, but it doesn't seem to have dampered his belief in himself.
"Like you just said, you talk about Anderson Silva as the best striker in the division, I'm best the striker in the MMA period. I'm gonna show everybody how to punch for real. I've been in there with the best fighters in the world period," said Toney, who has asserted in the past that boxers are better than MMA fighters.
"I ain't talking about boxing or talking about MMA. Boxing is all that matters. Whatever it comes down to, when Randy Couture sees me ready to shoot that right hand up, I'm telling you he's not even gonna see it coming, it's gonna be over and he's gonna be on his way to the hospital."
Toney is a former title holder in three weight classes middleweight, super middleweight, cruiserweight, and the current heavyweight champion of the international boxing association. His career spans 21 years, including time spent at the top of many pound for pound lists as a middleweight. Unsatisfied with ending his career as a boxer, he has decided to test his hands inside the octagon.
Toney has been eying an entry into mixed martial arts for some time. After making a number of public comments regarding the legitimacy of the sport, he turned his attention to Dana White, calling him a “sissy” on numerous occasions.
In an exchange after UFC 108 broadcast to UFC Radio 1100, Dana White agreed to discuss a potential contract with Toney. Toney had been following White in Memphis, Las Vegas and finally at MGM Grand the night of the fight. After negotiations, Dana White agreed to sign Toney for a three fight deal. With of course, an opt out clause, should he lose his first fight.
White’s opinion was less than veiled; "Toney will get his [rear] kicked on August 28 and I'm counting the days."
Couture has maintained his professional cool in spite of all of the heated comments coming from Toney and his camp. His style of wrestling with dirty boxing has been battle tested over 28 times in the octagon since his debut at UFC 13 against Tony Halme.
Toney has gathered some top quality training, despite his lack of respect for the sport. Among his trainers are Juanito Ibarra, former trainer to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and current strikeforce heavyweight champion, “King Mo” Lawal. King Mo, an accomplished wrestler, will help out the older fighter with his wrestling and takedown defence. Toney was confirmed to have tapped out the champion with a guillotine choke in training.
Of course, Toney has not taken his training lightly and already has his eye on the title.
"I couldn’t come in the UFC and fight a bum, or a tune up fight. I have to fight the best. I am the best. I wanted to fight Brock Lesnar, but unfortunately at the time he was sick. I will be boxing and UFC champion at the same time. I’m officially a two-sport athlete. After I knock out Randy Couture, I’m coming for Brock’s [rear] next."
Whether Toney has been the victim of punch drunk delusions remains to be seen. Regardless of how well his knockout power translates in the octagon, it is sure to be an interesting fight, and a shoe in for one of the best post fight interviews of the year.
The fight is taking place at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on August 28th, and will be broadcast live on Pay Per View.
Tags: