James Toney wants Tyson Fury

James Toney

Former multi-weight world champion James “Light Out” Toney has said he would like the opportunity to fight British heavyweight prospect Tyson Fury.

The charismatic Toney had a reputation for being a superbly skilled fighter, a world class counter puncher who’s shoulder-roll and feints made him a firm fans-favourite throughout the 1990s and early 2000’s.

Toney skills saw him win world titles at middleweight and super middleweight and despite his lack of height he was able to carry further weight in order to move up to cruiserweight where he won another world title. He also beat John Ruiz at heavyweight in 2005 to win the WBA strap, but it was overturned to a no-contest after Toney tested positive for a banned substance.

Since then, Toney has continued on with his career, but at 43 years old he has certainly seen better days. He was recently in action beating Bobby Gunn by fifth-round stoppage back in April and before that he put on a disappointing show against cruiserweight champion Denis Lebdev, getting comprehensively out beaten over 12 rounds, but he has remained keen to legitimately add a heavyweight strap to his collection.

"I would love to fight Tyson Fury. I would travel to England and knock him out,” Toney said. "I have five years left. I'm in the best shape I have been in ten years; passed every medical. Look at my record – beaten ten world champions. Vinny Maddalone was a C-class fighter. Let’s get it on.

Fury has now accumulated an unbeaten record of 19 wins, but has yet to face anyone of any quality, with an unfit, unmotivated Dereck Chisora his biggest scalp so far.

Demand has risen for him to fight a named fighter and he was lining up for Tomasz Adamek, but the former cruiserweight champion has pulled out.

Realistically Toney probably isn’t an option, although Fury has nearly a whole foot in height advantage over him and his name would be a draw, Fury could get little respect for beating the ageing Toney, but would be risking losing more than he could gain from winning.

If his fight against Fury doesn’t come off, Toney has another idea he feels might be worth a try, an Olympic style heavyweight boxing tournament.

“We can have a world championship, Olympics style. We can have it in a great city like London. All throw our belts in and see who is best,” said Toney.

"Then after I win I can treat myself to a suit from Savile Row."

Gareth Williams

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