James Toney: live and unfiltered during fight preview
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Boxing promoter Dan Goossen spent a good part of Tuesday’s boxing news conference trying to silence his former world champion, James Toney, who is scheduled to fight Goossen-promoted heavyweight Tony Thompson on Dec. 13 at Morongo Casino in Cabazon.
Goossen was reduced to saying ‘James ... ,’ or ‘Hold on, James’ during the fight announcement when Toney used a handy microphone to chime in.
‘I’m not worried about both the sisters,’ Toney said of heavyweight champion brothers Wladimir and Vitaly Klitschko.
Toney also criticized the menu at the Sherman Oaks Italian eatery where Goossen hosted the event, calling for some ‘real barbecue ribs.’ After using a mild profanity, Toney realized there were school children in the room. ‘Sorry kids,’ he quickly added.
At one point, Goossen, tried to hype Thompson’s talents. He started out by saying, ‘I know James has [such] a personality that a lot of people don’t understand his opponents ... .’ But he never got to finish because the 40-year-old Toney interrupted.
‘They don’t need to know them,’ he said. ‘I’m 20 years deep into this game.’
Ultimately, Toney admitted he needs a convincing victory before one of the Klitschkos agrees to a bout. He also insisted that he has no health issues after more than 80 pro fights.
He said he’s not ready to throw in the towel: ‘It’s not in my DNA to quit.’
When asked if it was reasonable to envision a future date with Goossen-promoted unbeaten heavyweight Chris Arreola should the Klitschko fight not occur, Toney stood up and demanded that everyone pay attention.
‘Man, come on dog,’ he said. ‘Arreola? The guy’s a joke. These kids are a joke.’
Goossen has spent about the past two years talking up Arreola, a Riverside fighter, as boxing’s next big thing and perhaps the sport’s first Mexican-American heavyweight champion.
When told what the veteran fighter had said about the young prospect, Goossen said what was expected.
‘James ... .’
-- Lance Pugmire
