Press Release: With less than one week to go before their rematch and one “Last Chance” at another possible world heavyweight championship bout, James “Lights Out” Toney (70-6-3, 43 KOs) and Hasim “Rock” Rahman (45-6-3, 36 KOs) checked in with updates from their respective training camps where final preparations are being made for their July 16th showdown.
The scheduled 12-round bout -- presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and Don King Productions, in association with Top Rank, Inc. – will headline an FSN “Best Damn Fight Night” telecast (11 pm EST Live/8 pm PST) from the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA.
Both normally loquacious and often outrageous warriors were uncharacteristically low- key, indicative of just how serious they are taking this fight. Much was learned about each other in their first world championship encounter back in March, 2006, which was scored a draw. Not the least of which was the importance of conditioning -- especially given their advanced ages – should the fight go the distance or close to it.
“I’ve been running early in the morning and late at night,” the 35-year old Rahman, who is training at the Gene Lewis Boxing Gym in steamy Mesa, AZ, disclosed, quipping: “Temperatures have been getting up to 113-115 every day. If I ran when the sun was up I’d wind up a light heavyweight.
In between, Rahman has been working with a lineup of sparring partners which has been constantly rotating and getting him in world championship fighting shape. But the only fighter that matters to him right now is James Toney.
"I know this is my last chance to remain in title contention,” Rahman conceded. “I just don't want a ‘W’; I'd like it to be spectacular. James Toney is a throwback fighter. He fights like the heavyweights of the 40's, 50's and 60's. Like Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, Eddie Machen and those guys. Good defense. Knows how to fight. I'll be ready for him. We had that 12-round experience together."
Plans call for Rahman to break his six-week camp on Sunday, July 13 and head to Pechanga, three days prior to the fight.
Toney, 39, has been training at the 360 Gym in Reseda, CA. His regimen includes running at 7:00 am each morning, sparring at 1:30 pm and returning to the gym at 5:00 pm for more cardio and strength and conditioning drills. Among his sparring partners preparing him for his fight with Rahman are former titlists Lamon Brewster and Malik Scott, as well as Raphael Butler, Javier Mora and John Clark.
In an appearance on FSN’s “Best Damn Sports Show Period” last week, co-host John Salley commented that in over 20 years he had never seen James Toney in such great shape as he is now.
For his part, Toney is tired of responding to his critics in the media and refused to take his usual acerbic and profanity-laced shots at them, as well as his opponent.
“I'm not going to run my mouth,” Toney insisted. “Just watch me in the ring. That is the only thing I will say to you."
Tickets for “Last Chance” are on sale now. To purchase tickets in person visit the Pechanga Resort & Casino box office or to purchase by phone dial: 877-711-2WIN, and online at Pechanga.com
