James "Lights Out" Toney

James "Lights Out" Toney never had anything easy in his life. His father abandoned him at the age three making his family move to the ghetto section of Detroit. After having an opportunity to play for Michigan State in football, James decided to dedicate his life to the fistic arts. Toney gathered an amateur record of 31-2 and soon after turned pro at age 20. After his manager Johnny "Ace" Smith was murdered he hired Jackie Kallen to take over Ace's spot as manager. After defeating everyone he faced with the exception of Sanderline Williams, (ended in a draw) Toney got a shot at undefeated slickster Michael Nunn who was already ranked pound for pound. Despite his undefeated record, James was a big underdog to damage Nunn's spotless record. After being thoroughly dominated throughout the course of the bout, Toney pulled of a miracle and kayoed Nunn with a left hook in the eleventh. In his first defense "Lights Out" handled adversity to defeat future two time title holder, Reggie Johnson. After five more title defenses, Toney signed to fight Iran Barkley February 13, 1993 for "The Blade's" IBF super middleweight crown. That was, at that time, the biggest fight of James Toney's career. There was also extreme bad blood between the two. At the start of round one Barkley stormed out of his corner firing only to get hit with counter lefts and rights. It was clear by the fifth round that Barkley just couldn't find a correct distance to punch from. After the ninth round the doctor stopped the fight allowing James Toney to become the IBF super middleweight champion of the world. After two successful title defenses, James took on the very experienced "Prince" Charles Williams in a defense of his IBF title he won against Barkley a year ago. Early on "Prince" through so many punches that Toney couldn't respond but James eventually broke him down en route to a twelfth round knockout. That set him up perfectly for a superfight with rival Roy Jones jr. Between fights James ballooned to 200 pounds and had to shed more than 30 pounds in order to fight the most important fight of his forty six fight career. Some experts say that incident may of cost him his first career loss. Toney was completely humiliated by Jones and suffered a major setback. In his next bout he suffered another severe setback over Montell Griffen losing a twelve round decision. After losing a rematch to Griffen Toney suffered the worst loss of his career, to Drake Thazdi. At that point many gave up on James. Then on April 26, James Toney challenged the undefeated Vassily Jirov in what was considered by some, the last hurrah for Toney. On that night "Lights Out" fought the greatest fight of his life overcoming a blistering pace to nearly finish Jirov in the twelfth. James one a unanimous decision. Later that year Toney fought another brilliant fight destructing boxing's ultimate warrior for nine rounds before Don Turner threw in the towel. That year (2003) James Toney was Ring Magazine's Fighter Of The Year. After an uneventful 2004, James almost won the heavyweight title but was turned down when tested positive for steroids. Has recently ruined his dream of becoming heavyweight champion when he came in lethargic and eked out a draw against Hasim Rahman. Two losses to the "Nigerian Nightmare" has removed him from the higher levels of the heavyweight division. Toney has recently been again tested positive for steroids and suspended (again).