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James Toney May Face A BIG Test In McCline

By Danny Serratelli

Although James "Lights Out" Toney is 35 years old, with the state of the heavyweight division, he could be competitive with just about anyone out there. Put him in with any of the guys who fought on HBO's supposedly "young" heavyweights card in late September, and he matches up very well with all of them. I'd have him at close to even money (as he was with Holyfield) against all of them. He would be a favorite over Samil Sam and LaVarryl Williamson, and (a little) closer to even money against Juan Carlos Gomez and Joe Mesi, but still favored. Based on his past two performances (against Michael Grant and Duncan Dokiwari), Dominick Guinn may be a slight favorite in many people's eyes. Dokiwari would be interesting, because he has shown he can fight, and Toney would be at a huge size disadvantage (I'll get back to that).

As far as the rest of the heavyweights, it would be difficult to imagine anyone close to his size, about 5'11, carrying 220 pounds, who isn't named Roy, beating him. However, due to the fact that there is obvious extra motivation for Toney in a rematch with Jones, I'd still pay to see that rematch. We must remember, before Toney fought Roy Jones he was one of the most successful and active champions in recent years, and was on or near the top of everyone's pound for pound lists, when he fought as a middleweight and super middleweight. Toney did not seem to take that loss very well, and you can be sure he wants that fight more than any other.

A Mike Tyson fight would be a huge draw; it would make for an entertaining fight, as well as interesting press conference, but lately Tyson seems like he doesn't want to fight. Toney says he will fight anyone, and their momma's, and he isn't shy about calling anyone and everyone out. After admittedly getting beat up by Toney, Evander Holyfield also said Toney will give any heavyweight a fight. We all know James can fight, but the question that he will now answer is can a good little guy beat a good big guy?

Yes, Evander Holyfield and Michael Spinks both moved up in weight and both won the heavyweight title, however James Toney and Roy Jones were middleweights and both under six feet tall, unlike Holyfield and Spinks. Toney is entering unchartered waters if he fights Jameel McCline. We haven't seen anything like this since 1932 when former Middleweight Champion, "The Toy Bulldog" Micky Walker took on Max Schmeling (three months after Schmeling lost the Heavyweight Championship to Jack Sharkey.) In that one the tough as nails Walker, game but out gunned, failed to come out for the 9th round.

Toney is about 5'11" and seems to carry a little too much weight at 220. Jameel "Big Time" McCline is roughly 6' 7", 270 pounds, a naturally very big guy. He carries 280 pounds better than Toney carries 220. He is also very athletic and one of the new breed of heavyweights who has some people calling for the creation of a "super heavyweight" division. He is a good boxer, with a good jab; a very active fighter and is coming off two good wins against Charles Shufford (TKO 3) and Cedric Boswell (TKO 10).

On the other hand, James Toney had already been a champion and had 52 professional fights before Jameel McCline even had a professional fight. McCline started boxing later than most guys who reach his present status. It is due to his ambition and athletic ability that he turned pro quickly and learned on the job, improving a great deal in a short period of time. He went 2-2-1 early in his career, after almost no amateur experience, and then went undefeated (26-0-2) for almost 6 years before the loss to Wladimir Klitschko, on a seemingly off night. The point is Toney may have forgot what McCline hasn't learned yet.

Both of these fighters are good for boxing, and they both want to fight the best the heavyweight division has to offer. It will be very interesting to see what happens. Will Toney's experience make up for his huge size disadvantage, or will McCline's size and athletic ability be his keys to victory? Will a Toney victory motivate Roy Jones to fight a bigger heavyweight? With Lewis seemingly out of the picture, and no dominant heavyweight out, this is a fight I want to see.

11-05-2003