"I see why people were on my shit. Listen, I just finished working out. I walked in my house and weighed in. I am officially 215 pounds and coming down...Even if I was to fight at heavyweight right now...my goal is to fight Tarver or Hopkins at cruiserweight, but I still have the IBA heavyweight title and if I was to defend that, I would still come in around 210 or so...Give me about a week and I'm gonna send you a picture to post. In fact, I did a 3 1/2 hour conditioning session today and then sparred 10 rounds straight. I'm in shape man, and I'm working hard, but nobody will give me a fight. I have been blackballed," stated future Hall of Famer James "Lights Out" Toney as he talked about his weight loss, his strong desire to prove that he's still a force to be reckoned with, and much more. Check it out!
PC: What's up JT? Everybody's hitting me up about the weight loss.
JT: Yeah man, I got that shit off of me. I went to the fights at the Cosmo with Peterson and Cayo. I was actually in the ring with Edison Miranda, but I don't think they showed me. A lot of people showed me love and complimented me on the weight loss though.
PC: Who did you run into out there?
JT: I saw Eddie Mustafa [Muhammad] and offered him a ham sandwich (laughing). Zab Judah thought I looked real good. He was there, and Joe Tessitore told Pops it was the best he had seen me look in a long time. I'm really working hard No Mercy.
PC: What is your exact weight?
JT: Man, I have lost...what did I weigh in my last fight?
PC: You were 257.
JT: No Percy...damn! Really?
PC: Yeah, you were 237 against Randy Couture and 257 for Damon Reed.
JT: Man, damn, I see why people were on my shit. Listen, I just finished working out. I walked in my house and weighed in. I am officially 215 pounds and coming down.
PC: That's what I hear. I was talking to Dave about you and he said you looked really good as well.
JT: Yeah, Dave went out there with me and Pops, man. It went real well. I'm glad I got out and showed people that I am taking this shit serious. Even if I was to fight at heavyweight right now...my goal is to fight Tarver or Hopkins at cruiserweight, but I still have the IBA heavyweight title and if I was to defend that, I would still come in around 210 or so. I feel good.
PC: I have been getting a lot of requests for a picture of you. Everyone wants to see the new James Toney and what you look like.
JT: I'm still not where I want to be. Give me about a week and I'm gonna send you a picture to post. In fact, I did a 3 1/2 hour conditioning session today and then sparred 10 rounds straight. I'm in shape man, and I'm working hard, but nobody will give me a fight. I have been blackballed.
PC: My man Deric out of Boston, who is a big fan, said the same thing. He feels like the sport of boxing has definitely blackballed you and you are a threat to young fighters, so you're kinda between a rock and a hard spot.
JT: And he is right too. It's one of those situations where you have gave your blood, sweat and tears to a sport and now they won't even give me an opportunity, but I'm not going to let it get to me. I'm going to keep working hard, doing me, and something will have to give because I'm not going anywhere no time soon. I will still fight anybody, anywhere at anytime. I would love to go to Russia and beat the hell out of that dude that knocked Roy Jones out...Lebedev.
PC: So you are willing to take your show on the road?
JT: You know me Percy; anybody, anywhere at anytime. I don't avoid anyone; just pay me and don't delay me and we can do this.
PC: As always man, I hope something shakes for you, especially since you have shown a new dedication and have gotten in great shape. I can't wait for the picture man.
JT: Fa sho Percy, and you know you getting it before anybody. Keep doin' ya thing. I love you like a brother and I'm gonna keep putting this work in. I won't let anybody down again!
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]