Over the weekend an interesting crossover fight occurred when multiple weight Boxing world champion James 'Light's Out' Toney fought decorated wrestler and two time light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Randy 'The Natural' Couture.
I was billed as Boxing Vs. MMA, but the fight was all over before it started. Toney is a fantastic boxer defeating great's Michael Nunn and Evander Holyfield, but with in the first thirty seconds Toney was taken down and the rest was history. Couture known for his vicious ground and pound effectively pummelled Toney who looked like a fish out of water and finally caught Toney in an arm collar choke.
Credit to Couture, after the fight he was respectful to Toney saying he actually backed his mouth up and stepped into the octagon, opposed to just trash talking and shying away.
While the match up was a complete mismatch, It show's James Toney can still hype an event even if he has nine months of basic takedown defence.
Toney believe's that the heavyweight's are running away from a real challenge and that was why he moved into MMA. The fight did get Toney publicity but probably not enough to earn him a shot at the Klitschko sisters and David Gaye as Toney has so fondly named the athlete's. The disappointing fact for Toney is that he has not had a win over a good level of opposition since 2003, although he did defeat WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz but tested for two types of steroid.
While Toney is used to being a top of the bill fighter, I feel that the UFC appearance will boost his marketability but he will have to fight again soon against a reputable opponent, Johnathan Banks springs to mind as he is from Michigan as James Toney, with local bragging rights on the line this could sell well as well.
As for the UFC I can see the brand going forward strength to strength, with it being the most well known MMA promotion in the world, and also gaining more boxing fan's after James Toney's efforts.
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