This is not the picture for the upcoming fight, but I cannot seem to find it. However Hasim Rahman and James Toney are going to fight again on July 16 in a fight titled Last Chance. The title is so right because both of these guys need a win for anyone to consider them in the heavyweight division mix. The last time these two fought, March 2006, it was a disappointing draw. Toney came in out of shape and fought just off of pure skill. Rahman acted nervous and did not put enough pressure on Toney to make him exert his energy. I was not sure who I was pissed off at more, Toney or Rahman. I was pissed off at Toney because if he had tried to get into decent shape he would have won. He was already making Rahman look bad just off of natural ability. I was pissed at Rahman because like usual he is lazy. It was obvious Toney was out of shape, and Rahman did not pressure Toney enough. If Rahman would have pressured Toney he could have won the fight. So Last Chance is right for both of these guys. Rahman is 35 and Toney will be 40 in August. Both fighters claim to be in great shape and all the good stuff you say leading up to a fight. If both fighters are in shape and come to fight who will win? Toney is by far the more skilled fighter. He has been doing it for years and even in his horrible shape he managed to almost beat Rahman who was in shape. Rahman has the power advantage, but tends to be outboxed and get tired. Rahman has been knocked out more, which I feel takes a toll on a fighter despite what the fighter believes. Toney is a throwback fighter, he loves to just flat out fight. The only thing I worry about with Toney is if age will catch up to him. He has all the natural ability you could want a fighter to have, but will the up and down in weight along with age hurt him? Rahman has not impressed me that much in his last few fights against journeyman. He has come in well above a comfortable weight and looked sluggish. In order for Rahman to be effective and win, he is going to have to come out aggressive. Establish his jab early and make Toney work. He does not need to let Toney lay on the ropes and counterpunch, that is how Rahman almost lost the fight last time. Toney is the master of laying on the ropes and letting the other fight exert energy and miss his punches. Rahman should try to work the body of Toney especially on the inside. Rahman needs to throw straight punches and not the wide ones he tends to throw. Do not use too much energy as Toney has a great chin. A KO would be nice, but let it come to you don't force it. In order for Toney to win, he has to be himself. Toney needs to be the slick quick counterpunching fighter he has always been. He needs to continue to move in akward ways to make Rahman exert lots of energy and miss. Rahman gets tired a lot in fights, so Toney needs to work that body. Rahman is the bigger man, but Toney still has a good jab he can use. Toney needs to use that jab to distract Rahman and then follow up with some nice body work. Toney does not have the power he used to have in the lower weight classes, but enough sting to keep Rahman away. However Rahman has been KOd at least 3 times to my knowledge, so Toney could possibly do it late in the fight. The only way Toney will get Rahman down is by wearing him down throughout the fight. This fight has a lot at stake here. It is not just a fight, it is for their careers. The winner should be able to move on to another good payday and the loser may need to retire. Will it be the puncher over the skilled fighter? Will it be experience over the not as experienced? Will it be age? Will it be ring knowledge? Will it be controversial? With James Toney and Hasim Rahman, you never know. So tune in Wednesday July 16 on FSN's Best Damn Fight Night telecast at 10pm EST live from the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California. This fight will not be one you want to miss!!!
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