FightHype.com

JAMES TONEY: "MMA GUYS GOT GUTS...BOXING GUYS ARE ALL TALK AND NO WALK"

By Percy Crawford | August 30, 2010
JAMES TONEY:

"Man, that's the main reason I came to MMA. At least MMA guys got guts and they will get in a cage with me. The boxing guys are all talk and no walk. My thing is, all of these bums, David Gaye and Bucktooth Bernard Hopkins, talk all that shit; come and see me! They were quiet as mice until they saw I was signed to fight in the UFC and then they all had an opinion. I'm doing both and I ain't going nowhere. I'm in it for the long run baby. I'm the only two sport athlete out there and I'm doing the 2 most dangerous sports in the world. No other man will try to do that," stated future boxing Hall of Famer James "Lights Out" Toney as he talke about his disappointing loss to UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture this past weekend at UFC 118. In this exclusive, you don't want to miss what he had to say about what it was like to step inside the Octagon, his future plans in boxing and much more.

PC: I know things didn't go according to plan for you on Saturday night. How did it feel just being inside of the Octagon?

JT: It felt good. It felt like I hadn't been inside of a boxing ring in almost a year, you know what I'm saying? But I blame myself. It is what it is. I went in there and I don't blame nobody but myself. I made a mistake and I paid the price for it. I will be back stronger than ever, I promise you. The thing is, I did it his way. Now is he willing to come do it my way? Nobody in MMA will do it my way. No one will come to boxing and try to show off their hands with me. Nobody in the MMA world can go blow-for-blow with James Toney.

PC: I don't know if you will get the credit you deserve for attempting this because of the outcome, but I don't think we will see another boxer attempt what you just did.

JT: Man, that's the main reason I came to MMA. At least MMA guys got guts and they will get in a cage with me. The boxing guys are all talk and no walk. My thing is, all of these bums, David Gaye and Bucktooth Bernard Hopkins, talk all that shit; come and see me! They were quiet as mice until they saw I was signed to fight in the UFC and then they all had an opinion. I'm doing both and I ain't going nowhere. I'm in it for the long run baby. I'm the only two sport athlete out there and I'm doing the 2 most dangerous sports in the world. No other man will try to do that.

PC: What was the atmosphere like? I heard you were blown away by how much UFC fans are into the sport of MMA?

JT: Man, the fans in MMA are great. These motherfucking fans are...they fanatics man. It's great. I love the atmosphere that they bring. It reminded me of the old days of boxing; the 70's, 80's and early 90's. Boxing fans used to be like that and we need to bring that back. The MMA scene is so crazy and it's great. The fans stand in the hotel lobby from early in the morning until late at night. They are there when you wake up in the morning and they are there when you go to bed and that's fucking crazy. I love that shit. It was crazy man.

PC: Being that it was the UFC's first appearance in Boston, I'm sure they were nuts down there. How were you received during your stay in Boston?

JT: I had a lot of support out there in Boston. They are a fight town and a couple of them actually remembered me from when I fought Ramon Garbey out there 10 years ago. It was great. I mean, 20,000 fans man? That's crazy. They showed me so much love in that city. I can't wait to go back.

PC: I've talked to people at Xtreme Couture since the fight and they had a great deal of respect for you. I know you are the king of selling fights, but how do you feel about Randy Couture now that you have fought him?

JT: My thing with Randy Couture is he is a legend in his sport. He seems like a good person. I don't know him personally, but from when I met him, he seems like he's a great dude, man. And if he is a real man, come put the gloves on. I did it his way, now come do it my way. I'm glad they got respect for me because my background speaks for me. Everybody knows that I ain't got no bitch in me.

PC: Dana White said you lasted a lot longer than he thought you would and it appeared like it would be over within the first minute.

JT: I told you, I'm a rare breed and my breed only comes along every 20 years. I knew Dana was trying to throw me to the dogs, but I wanted that. In fact, he didn't throw me to the dogs; I went looking for them. I went looking for trouble. That's why they call me JT, "Just Trouble." I loved it. I had fun in there and I can't wait to do it again.

PC: What are things looking like for you as far as boxing goes?

JT: They telling me October 29th I will fight. Percy, you know if I find out tomorrow, you will be the first to know. I really just wanted to call you and apologize for letting you down, but I will be back.

PC: You can save it man. You don't ever have to apologize to me because you have given me too many great moments for me to be disappointed. You walked away with your health and that's all I can ask for. Good luck with everything and hit me up anytime.

JT: Percy, I ain't down. I'm happy as hell and I'm with my beautiful family. If I aint got family, I ain't got shit, you know what I'm saying? I got family and God, you know what I'm saying, because they allow me to do this. I love your ass because you real to the bone gristle. I love you man.



[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]

MARCH 28, 2024
MARCH 25, 2024
MARCH 21, 2024
MARCH 18, 2024
MARCH 17, 2024
MARCH 14, 2024
MARCH 12, 2024
MARCH 11, 2024
MARCH 07, 2024
MARCH 04, 2024
FEBRUARY 29, 2024
FEBRUARY 27, 2024
FEBRUARY 22, 2024
FEBRUARY 19, 2024
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
FEBRUARY 12, 2024
FEBRUARY 08, 2024
FEBRUARY 05, 2024
FEBRUARY 01, 2024
JANUARY 31, 2024
JANUARY 30, 2024
JANUARY 29, 2024
JANUARY 25, 2024
JANUARY 22, 2024
JANUARY 18, 2024
JANUARY 15, 2024