And now he was headlining the inaugural pay-per-view produced under the nascent TVKO banner against an unknown whom oddsmakers had installed as a proverbial overlay.īetween profane insults, Nunn also needled Toney based on, of all things, geography. Across the Atlantic, at least, Nunn was safe from catcalls and heckling. His last title defense, against the remnants of ex-welterweight kingpin Donald Curry, took place far away from the American sporting mainstream, in Paris, France. “when he gets hit with a hard punch, he just wants to run.” Against Toney, however, Nunn, oozing arrogance, would unwisely choose to shoot it out.)Įight months later, Nunn followed his close call against Barkley by going twelve excruciating rounds with welterweight titlist Marlon Starling, again lulling his way to a majority decision. (At ringside for Nunn-Barkley sat Roberto Duran, whose opinion of “Second To” was delivered with typical disdain.
“Technically, I guess he won,” groused Arum, “but who gives a damn? He’s boring.” He was booed lustily during a listless majority decision over Iran Barkley in August 1989, a fight that left even his promoter, Bob Arum, dispirited. His recent impressive KO run (which included stoppages of Frank Tate, Juan Roldan, and Sumbu Kalambay) was over and, so it seemed, was his peak. The Duke: The Life and Lies of Tommy Morrisonĭespite the undefeated record, despite his standing on P-4-P fantasy lists, despite the championship, Nunn was increasingly being viewed as a disappointment. Once thought to be the heir apparent to Sugar Ray Leonard, whose on-again, off-again Seniors Tour appearances had finally come to a violent end a few months earlier at the hands of Terry Norris, Nunn had seen his star flicker, then dim, like a fluorescent tube on the fritz, since he won the IBF middleweight title in 1987. Who is going to go out with an ugly man like that?” In 1991, however, his grandiosity seemed out of place. “If you’ve ever seen James Toney,” Nunn said, “you can see why he feels that way. When told that Toney was quoted as saying he preferred violence over sex, Nunn stepped in with a low blow. With a street-regal air, Nunn belittled Toney every chance he got. A flashy stylist in the ring, Nunn was also a master trash-talker. Certainly not Michael Nunn, the glib IBF middleweight champion with a 36-0 record and five successful title defenses under his belt. Nobody expected James Toney, a 20-1 underdog with a low profile but a perpetual scowl, to win.
#James lights out toney series#
This piece begins a ten-part series looking at the fighters whose stories make Donald McRae’s Dark Trade the enduring classic that it is.
#James lights out toney professional#
Tickets for this action-packed night of professional boxing are on sale now at the EMU box office and For more information about the fight and upcoming shows from Main Event Professional Boxing, contact McGuire at. The last bout for James "Lights Out" Toney is the main attraction fight on May 13th and the 10,000 seat Convocation Center of EMU is a great start.Ĭlaressa Shields, two-time gold medalist and winner of the NABF Female Middleweight title, will be one of the commentators for the night. He hopes to bring professional boxing back to the Ann Arbor/ Ypsilanti area, and showcase the talent of the mid-west region. He enters the arena of boxing promoter with over 30 years of experience and connections.
#James lights out toney pro#
Also on the card will be former MMA fighter, Lorenzo Hood and, making his debut, in pro boxing, is Kalinn "Kahos" Williams.Įric McGuire, known to many as simply, "Coach E", is no novice to the world of boxing. Also fighting are undefeated Albert Bell (8-0-0) out of Toledo, Ohio and local favorite UBF Middleweight Regional Champion Patrick Boozer (11-4-0) Ann Arbor, Michigan. Undefeated, Sonny Fredrickson (16-0-0) of Toledo, Ohio will fight Daniel Montoya-Reyes (11-5-0) out of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
In addition to the Toney vs Sheppard fight, Main Event Professional Boxing, under the direction of Eric McGuire, this night will also include 7-8 undercard bouts with several undefeated fighters putting their records on the line. The title fight will take place at the Convocation Center of Eastern Michigan University on May 13, 2017.
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