"I love fighting, man. I realized if I was going to do this, I gotta be a full-time fighter and I had to start living the lifestyle of a fighter. I want to do this for a little while longer, so I had to take my job serious. At one point, I think I got really bored with boxing, and the fact that it was tough getting fights didn't help, but now, I live the lifestyle of a fighter. Everything that I had to do to cut weight as a middleweight is what I'm doing now. I sparred 16 rounds the other day. All of the cardio stuff I had to do to make 160 is what I'm doing now, on top of heavy weightlifting. I deadlift 616 pounds and I'm a small guy....I feel I just prolonged my career with the weight loss and the way that I'm training now. Not only is my balance better, but I'm stronger. I feel I can knock anyone out, whether it's at heavyweight or cruiserweight," stated future Hall of Famer James "Lights Out" Toney, who is rededicated, refocused, slimmer, trimmer, and ready to prove that he's still a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight or the cruiserweight division.
PC: A picture of a slim James Toney recently hit the internet and it has a lot of people talking...
JT: (Cutting in) You put it out there weeks ago that I was 215, so I don't see why it's such a shock. Like I told you No Mercy, you get everything first and if I tell it to you, then they can take it to the bank.
PC: When I put it out there, as you know, there were a lot of people that doubted that you were really that low in weight. What sparked the change for you to want to get serious?
JT: They can doubt all they want to. That's why you are the only one with my house and cell number. I put that on everything; real recognize real. You my brother and I won't even knock you for being married to a white woman because I am too (laughing).
PC: (Laughing) You didn't answer the question, man.
JT: What did you ask?
PC: What sparked the weight loss?
JT: Oh yeah...man, I love fighting, man. I realized if I was going to do this, I gotta be a full-time fighter and I had to start living the lifestyle of a fighter. I want to do this for a little while longer, so I had to take my job serious. At one point, I think I got really bored with boxing, and the fact that it was tough getting fights didn't help, but now, I live the lifestyle of a fighter. Everything that I had to do to cut weight as a middleweight is what I'm doing now. I sparred 16 rounds the other day. All of the cardio stuff I had to do to make 160 is what I'm doing now, on top of heavy weightlifting. I deadlift 616 pounds and I'm a small guy.
PC: That's good to hear. Even if not for the boxing aspect of it, it's good to see you healthy and looking great at the same time.
JT: See, I didn't even mean for that picture to get out. I went to the hospital to see Freddie Roach's brother because we're still cool. He had a stroke, so I went to see him and someone snapped that picture, but I was trying to be incognegro. I told you that you would get the first picture and you gonna get the official first picture with everything. I got the bodybuilder cuts in my legs. I'm gonna send you that picture with my legs and everything visible.
PC: Oh, so you Ronnie Coleman now, huh (laughing).
JT: I'm Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler put together. I'm putting in hard work and it's paying off, man. I went back old school and completely changed my lifestyle.
PC: I don't want to see you in some tight-ass underwear though. Spare me that.
JT: (Laughing) Fuck you, nigga (laughing), but you know how we do. I ain't going nowhere and I feel I just prolonged my career with the weight loss and the way that I'm training now. Not only is my balance better, but I'm stronger. I feel I can knock anyone out, whether it's at heavyweight or cruiserweight, but give me a couple of weeks and you gonna get the official picture and you gonna get it first. Ain't nobody else getting it.
PC: I appreciate that my man. It's good to see you in shape. You were the buzz of the internet yesterday with everyone talking about how good of shape you are in.
JT: Oh, they are talking good about me now. It's all good. A lot of them had a lot to say, but real recognize real. That's why you are the first that I come to. I only deal with a select few, and I may be about to cut that select few down in a little bit, but I'm always here for you No Mercy. I love you like a brother, boy. Keep doing your thing and in a few weeks, you gonna get the official picture that nobody else gonna have.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]