[Previous entry: "Shirai passes away"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Fres Oquendo Targets Sanders in February"]
12/29/2003 Archived Entry: "The 2003 CBZ Year End Awards"
The 2003 CBZ Year End Awards
Compiled by the CBZ staff
Fighter of the year: James Toney
Runner-up: Roy Jones, Jr.
Fight of the year: James Toney W12 Vasily Jirov
Runner-up: Teddy Reid TKO4 Elio Ortiz
Upset of the year: Mayorga TKO 3 Forrest
Runner-up: Corrie Sanders KO 2 Wladimir Klitschko
Round of the year: 12th round - Toney vs. Jirov
Runner-up: 2nd round – Joe Calzaghe vs. Byron Mitchell
Knockout of the year: Corrie Sanders KO 2 Wladimir Klitschko
Runner-up: Courtney Burton KO8 Angel Manfredy
Comeback of the year: James Toney
Runner-up: None (unanimous for Toney)
It’s Toney Time: A Lights Out Year for James “Lights Out”
ToneyBy J. D. Vena
Back on March 3rd, most felt that the year was going to belong to one of the sport’s best fighter, Roy Jones, Jr. In dominating John “The Quietman” Ruiz, a top rated heavyweight over 12-rounds, Jones cemented his greatness by becoming the first former middleweight champion and the 2nd light heavyweight champion to win a piece of the heavyweight title. But one Fight of the Year later and a more impressive performance against another highly rated heavyweight in Evander Holyfield and James “Lights Out” Toney not only closed the curtain on the R.J. show, he added a great deal to his legacy which is why the CBZ has named him the 2003 Fighter of the Year.
Going into his April showdown with arguably the best cruiserweight champion the sport had to offer, many felt Toney had a great chance of dethroning the hardened and determined Vasily Jirov, then the IBF champ. But after 6 rounds of heated warfare, many began questioning Toney’s conditioning and the passion that supposedly hadn’t been with the deep repertoire of Toney since he was recognized as one of the best fighters in the world nearly a decade ago. In an incredible performance, Toney showed more than anyone could have expected and controlled the remainder of the fight. In their unforgettable 12th round, Toney fought off the ropes, absorbing powerful shots but countered with deadly precision. By the close of the round, Toney began pounding the stubborn Jirov with every punch in the book until the beaten champion fell to the canvas. Jirov managed to climb to his feet but Toney was the clear winner.
After the fight, Toney made it clear that he was willing to fight any one on the planet from heavyweight on down. Some toyed with the idea, including Bernard Hopkins but as it turns out, he was wise to steer clear from the Toney Express. In October Evander Holyfield, a 5-time heavyweight champion and still a well-regarded heavyweight on today’s scene agreed to step up to the plate.
As assured by Toney in week’s leading up to the fight, Toney did the unthinkable and stopped Holyfield in a fight the all-time great was never in after the 3rd round. Instead of managing time and using in and out boxing skills to beat a bigger and stronger man, much in the way Jones befuddled Ruiz, Toney fulfilled his promise of standing directly right in front of Holyfield and even had the ‘Real Deal’ moving backwards. It was domination as many didn’t suspect. As a 217-pound heavyweight, Toney displayed great durability, underrated hand speed and ring smarts to prove that there may not be another heavyweight in the world that can top him. James Toney is back and whether he can continue beating the world’s best heavyweights remains to be seen. Either way, you can bet that a lot more people will be paying more attention to the man everyone forgot about.
