THE JAMES TONEY FIGHT .
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From Detroit Free Press...
http://www.freep.com/sports/othersports/boxing24e_20040924.htm
Toney has easy time vs. Booker
Detroit native no match for seasoned professional
September 24, 2004
FREE PRESS STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES
TEMECULA, Calif. -- James Toney looked fit and powerful in his first fight in almost a year. He still couldn't put away his overmatched opponent.
Toney rated his performance a "C-minus" after pounding out a lopsided decision over Detroit's Rydell Booker in their 12-round heavyweight bout Thursday night.
Toney's last fight was a ninth-round knockout of Evander Holyfield on Oct. 5, 2003. He tore an Achilles tendon in training this year and had to cancel a bout against Jameel McCline on Feb. 7.
Toney, 36, appeared completely healed as he relentlessly pursued Booker around the ring and landed punches almost at will.
Winning his 10th straight fight and the vacant WBC Continental Americas and IBA heavyweight belts, Toney consistently rocked Booker with right uppercuts and had him wobbling several times, but could not finish him.
After Toney landed a series of hard shots midway through the eighth round, the reeling Booker dropped to a knee and took an eight-count. Although the crowd at Penchanga Resort and Casino booed him loudly, he was able to finish the round -- and the fight.
Judge Frank Garza gave every round to Toney, scoring it 120-107. Barry Druxman had it 118-108, and Marty Denkin favored Toney, 117-110.
"I'm cool. I'm a little bruised and sore, but it's all part of the game," Booker said after his first loss. "I didn't stick to my game plan and Toney hit me with some big shots."
Toney, who has held three belts in lower weight classes and wants another title shot, ran his record to 68-4-2, with 43 knockouts. Booker, 23, is 22-1 with 12 knockouts.
Booker's nose bled early in the fight, and he bled from the mouth midway through the bout.
"I felt like a father," said Booker's manager, John C. Carlisle. "I kept showing Rydell the towel. I wanted to stop the fight in the eighth round, but he shook his head and said no.
"Rydell stood toe-to-toe with Toney. He took some enormous right hands to the button. It was difficult to watch.
"Rydell's got a tremendous chin and big heart. I just wished he'd have stuck and moved and kept to the fight plan. He's only 23. He went to the mountaintop and came back tonight. He'll learn from this.
"We're going to sit down later and talk about whether to fight in the heavyweight division or move back down to cruiserweight. Right now, I'm still thinking heavyweight."
http://www.freep.com/sports/othersports/boxing24e_20040924.htm
Toney has easy time vs. Booker
Detroit native no match for seasoned professional
September 24, 2004
FREE PRESS STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES
TEMECULA, Calif. -- James Toney looked fit and powerful in his first fight in almost a year. He still couldn't put away his overmatched opponent.
Toney rated his performance a "C-minus" after pounding out a lopsided decision over Detroit's Rydell Booker in their 12-round heavyweight bout Thursday night.
Toney's last fight was a ninth-round knockout of Evander Holyfield on Oct. 5, 2003. He tore an Achilles tendon in training this year and had to cancel a bout against Jameel McCline on Feb. 7.
Toney, 36, appeared completely healed as he relentlessly pursued Booker around the ring and landed punches almost at will.
Winning his 10th straight fight and the vacant WBC Continental Americas and IBA heavyweight belts, Toney consistently rocked Booker with right uppercuts and had him wobbling several times, but could not finish him.
After Toney landed a series of hard shots midway through the eighth round, the reeling Booker dropped to a knee and took an eight-count. Although the crowd at Penchanga Resort and Casino booed him loudly, he was able to finish the round -- and the fight.
Judge Frank Garza gave every round to Toney, scoring it 120-107. Barry Druxman had it 118-108, and Marty Denkin favored Toney, 117-110.
"I'm cool. I'm a little bruised and sore, but it's all part of the game," Booker said after his first loss. "I didn't stick to my game plan and Toney hit me with some big shots."
Toney, who has held three belts in lower weight classes and wants another title shot, ran his record to 68-4-2, with 43 knockouts. Booker, 23, is 22-1 with 12 knockouts.
Booker's nose bled early in the fight, and he bled from the mouth midway through the bout.
"I felt like a father," said Booker's manager, John C. Carlisle. "I kept showing Rydell the towel. I wanted to stop the fight in the eighth round, but he shook his head and said no.
"Rydell stood toe-to-toe with Toney. He took some enormous right hands to the button. It was difficult to watch.
"Rydell's got a tremendous chin and big heart. I just wished he'd have stuck and moved and kept to the fight plan. He's only 23. He went to the mountaintop and came back tonight. He'll learn from this.
"We're going to sit down later and talk about whether to fight in the heavyweight division or move back down to cruiserweight. Right now, I'm still thinking heavyweight."
