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07/30/2005 Archived Entry: "Toney Schools Lubwama"
Toney Schools Lubwama
By J.D. Vena at ringside
BROCKTON, MA – Though he looked sharp in his last bout this past June in returning from a 2 ½ year layoff, some observers felt that Rodney Toney of Hyde Park, MA was jumping the gun a little too soon when he stepped into the ring against the formidable James Lubwama last night at Campanelli Field in Brockton, MA. During Toney's inactivity from the professional ranks, Lubwama was busy and successful against some of today’s up and coming light heavyweights. Early into their 10-round feature however, it was quickly realized that Toney was more than ready for Lubwama, in capturing a unanimous 10-round decision live on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights.
Toney, 176 ¾, managed his energy like a true veteran, moving in and out and landing several right hand leads. Lubwama’s rhythm couldn’t be established simply because of Toney’s expert counters. So where was all the ring rust?
“It’s not like I haven’t been in the gym the last couple of years,” said Toney. “I’ve been training and staying healthy. I just couldn’t get any of the fights I wanted.”
Lubwama, 176, a southpaw seemed to be tailor made for Toney, despite Toney’s lack of success against lefties Quincy Taylor and Otis Grant, but Toney corrected some of the mistakes he had made in those losing efforts.
“I did the best I could in there,” said Toney. “The difference was my dad had me moving to my left to get inside with my right hands. The last time I fought a southpaw, I was moving to my right and not able to get my punches off.”
Landing punches wasn't a problem for Toney last night as the judges had him winning 97-93, 96-95 and 100-91 on the official cards. The CBZ had Toney winning 99-91. Toney, now 28-4-4 with 17 KO’s now seems poised for today’s top light heavyweights. Ultimately, Toney would like to move down to super middleweight, what he believes is his best fighting weight, to face New England’s best Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton of New Bedford, MA.
“I’m ready for anyone.”
In a bout which preceded the main event, Hartford’s “Machine Gun” Mike Oliver, 122, had a rough going with Minneapolis tough guy, Darby Smart, but after absorbing some hard shots and being wrestled into the canvas and ropes several times, Oliver’s sharp shooting did enough damage to Smart’s face to prompt referee Eddie Harris to suddenly halt the contest at 2:28 of the 7th round. Smart, 123, suffered deep cuts and had swelling around both eyes. Oliver remained unbeaten at 9-0 with 5 KO’s while Smart dropped to 8-2 with 3 KO’s.
“Nasty” Nick Morganelli, 138 ½, of Whitman, MA wasn’t as dominant as he had in his last bout against Mike Weaver in Plymouth but he managed to win every round against the always competitive Jose “Alpha Omega” Ortega, 135, in winning a 4-round unanimous nod. Morganelli landed more of the lion’s share of the punches but absorbed some hard clean right hands from the slippery Ortega who fell to 2-9. Morganelli, who won by three scores of 40-36 is now 6-0 with 3 KO’s.
Canadian transplant Anthony Russell, now fighting out of Brockton won a hard fought 6-round unanimous decision over Anterio Vines of Columbus, OH. Vines, 183, who drew with unbeaten cruiserweight Chris McInerney three weeks ago, couldn’t pull off an upset but made it interesting, landing some heavy blows. Russell, 179 ½, who looks like he came from the NHL simply outworked him for most of the bout. Two judges had Russell winning 59-55 and 58-56 while the third amazingly had Vines winning 59-57. Russell improved to 9-1-1 with 1 KO while Vines fell to 4-6-2 with 1 KO.
In somewhat of a minor upset, Jose Hernandez, 125, of Atlanta via Mexico won a convincing 6-round decision over Castulo “el Poderoso” Gonzalez of Wilmington via Guatemala. Hernandez seemed to set the pace, one that Gonzalez had a tough time keeping up with. Gonzalez, 122 ¾, did have some moments but Hernandez was more than willing to trade with him and often finished the exchanges. The scoring officials had Hernandez, now 8-2 with 2 KO’s, winning by tallies of 59-55, 58-56 and 58-57. The streaking Hernandez’ last two wins have come against boxers that faced him while 5-0.
In a lightweight bout, Morganelli’s younger brother Mike, made quick work of fellow debutant Anthony Hartman of Cleveland stretching him twice and prompting referee Ed Fitzgerald to stop the fight in the first round. In the opening bout, muscular J.D. Reber of Lenox, MA won a 4-round majority decision over pudgy Harold Rodrigues of Taunton. Reber, now 2-1 won by scores of 39-37 twice and 38-38.
Promoter – Cappiello BoxingNetwork – ESPN2
Replies: 2 Comments on this article
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Posted by Disney+Vacation @ 08/06/2005 05:13 AM EST
No way did Anthony Russell outwork Anterio Vines. A total hometown decision.
Posted by Marc @ 08/01/2005 08:20 AM EST
