"He's a born fighter. People are talking about his age and things like that, but James Toney was born to fight; end of story! He has the passion and the will to continue to learn and get betterÂ…I believe that people will see that James Toney is for real and I won't be surprised, but I think the world will be surprisedÂ… Toney threw a head kick at me the other day and, like I said, I'm not surprised that he can do it, it's just that he's doing it that fast. His flexibility is there and that's one of the things that we are working on, besides other things like the ground game and everything else that you have to work on in MMA, but it's just a pleasant surprise.," stated world-class trainer Juanito Ibarra as he talked about the work he's doing with future Hall of Famer James "Lights Out" Toney to prepare him for his UFC debut. Check it out!
PC: You are working with one of my favorite fighters in the world in James Toney. What impact do you think he can have on the heavyweight division and why?
JI: He's a born fighter. People are talking about his age and things like that, but James Toney was born to fight; end of story! He has the passion and the will to continue to learn and get better. He's not an egotistical maniac in there saying, "I know, I know, I know." He's not! He's in there learning and working his tail off. He don't shock me, but then he does shock me and I mean that in a good way. This kid, if I tell him to do something 10 times over, he does it 11 times over. He's a workhorse and I have a good team behind me as always and I truly believe we are going to shock the world. When we are ready to fight, I believe that people will see that James Toney is for real and I won't be surprised, but I think the world will be surprised.
PC: James wants to fight the best, but of course there is a process to that. What is that process?
JI: He wants to fight the best, but you always have to have a gameplan. Muhammad Ali, the great fighters, Randy Couture, guys like that always had a gameplan. Our gameplan is to get his feet wet. We would like to fight a Kimbo Slice because Kimbo is learning. Kimbo has power in both hands and he has a great team behind him; American Top Team with Liborio, who I respect very much. I think it will sell and I think it will be a great fight. I would like to see him fight a Kimbo Slice and then maybe go on to fight the winner of Ortiz-Liddell. Then down the line, keep gravitating.
PC: We all seen the work you did with Rampage and the level you took him to. What is it like to be back in the mix in MMA with a guy starting from scratch?
JI: Fighting is my life; it is. I tried to step away, but it's my life. I have one eye and one arm, whatever. I'm a teacher and I'm going to continue to teach. I have a kid fighting here in California for a title. I've been working with guys, but James is an international superstar, so I guess that's why my name is back on the map and that's a blessing to me. I'm very blessed and honored to work with this kid, but he has more talent than people think. His manager and my partner, John Arthur, is a Grand Master in martial arts. Toney threw a head kick at me the other day and, like I said, I'm not surprised that he can do it, it's just that he's doing it that fast. His flexibility is there and that's one of the things that we are working on, besides other things like the ground game and everything else that you have to work on in MMA, but it's just a pleasant surprise. I love this kid.
PC: I see people give wrestlers a great chance in MMA, but not boxers. On an interview that I did with Toney, I actually saw where one guy posted a comment saying that it's a fact simply because wrestlers do have more success, but that's because wrestlers go to MMA, not boxing, and boxers typically go from the amateur program to the pros. You don't see many amateur boxers go straight into MMA.
JI: It is strange and it shows ignorance. But then again, it is MMA and anything can happen. Why is MMA on the map today? Is it because people are getting armbarred, is it because people are getting ankle locked or submitted or is it because people are getting knocked out? That's what brought it to television networks because that's the action of MMA. People are trying to get better standing up; all of these wrestlers, who I admire, want better standup. Jiu Jitsu guys are training tooth and nail to get better standup and they have to because it's a standup game. That's what sells, guys getting knocked out, guys fighting. Why do you think Dana White always says, "You can stay in the UFC if you just fight"? Because he wants to see a fight. The fight happens on the feet. Of course the boxers gotta learn the other arts. Of course they do. They can't just come in and think they are going to knock everyone out. Where I have been successful is teaching that MMA boxing is different from boxing and James is going to h
ave to MMA box rather than just box. So there are some changes that are going to have to be made. People keep saying, "He's just a boxer. Why did he hire a boxing coach?" I'm more than just a boxing coach. The haters are the haters and there are people that support it. That's just the way of our world. I'm just looking forward to preparing him and when we're absolutely ready to step in and when he's in shape and we agree on who we're going to fight, I believe people are going to be satisfied.
PC: I gotta get your prediction on the big boxing match coming up this weekend between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey. Who do you like, how and why?
JI: I got a kid on that card, Rodrigo Garcia. I'm in Big Bear right now with him. He's going to fight a 4-round fight. He's a welterweight, he's 5-0, he was on the Mexican Olympic Team and believe me, he's going to be a world champion. You can put that in writing right now. I think Pacquiao is going to take him though and I think Pacquiao is going to finish him in 6 or 7 rounds. That's my prediction. And then I think we will see a super-fight down the road. I truly don't think Pacquiao is going to be around too much longer. He has other things on his mind and he has accomplished a lot, so let's get the best out of Pacquiao this year and he has some good fights left in him.
PC: You have an eye for talent and have been around this game for a long time. What makes Manny Pacquiao so special in your eyes?
JI: He sticks to it, his grind, his dedication and his desire. He has discipline, drive and determination, attitude and ability. I call that the 5 D's and 2 A's and he has that. And when you have that, it equals greatness and championship caliber. When he goes to camp, he focuses. Him and Freddie Roach have very good chemistry and that means everything to me. He listens to his coach and he learns and he does. I always say listen and do. He listens and does with Freddie, so I truly think Pacquiao is going to win this fight and I think he has a couple of more left in him, maybe with Shane and definitely with Mayweather.
PC: So you think we will eventually get the Mayweather fight?
JI: Totally! Pacquiao and Freddie are too much of a competitor to let it slip through their hands. It's beaucoup money for everybody, no matter what the spilt is. They are going to work it out and Pacquiao would probably retire after a fight like that. I just don't see what he has to accomplish anymore.
PC: Always good catching up with you Juanito. Take care of my man Toney. Give me some closing thoughts for the fans?
JI: I just want to say thank you to the world for the support and they can go to www.worldclassmmaboxing.com, that's my gym, and look me up. Always remember to keep your faith in the Lord.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]