James Toney to fight Fres Oquendo on Saturday

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Fight fans heading to Morongo Casino expecting to see James Toney versus Tony ‘The Tiger’ Thompson will instead see Toney go against Fres Oquendo. Thompson had to withdraw on doctor’s orders because of acute bronchitis, his promoter said.

Oquendo (29-4, 18 knockouts) has lost to some name heavyweights, including Evander Holyfield, David Tua, former world heavyweight champion John Ruiz and Chris Byrd.

Toney has won once since October 2005, and that victory was tainted by a positive steroids test. But he can be a remarkable defensive fighter, and never has been knocked out in 81 career fights.

He’s been calling out the Klitschko brothers, but needs a triumph here to keep that talk alive.

-- Lance Pugmire