|
As I understand it, Holyfield and Toney will fight as heavyweights. Now, if Toney looks like he did against Jirov, and Holyfield looks like he did aainst Byrd, Toney will win with ease. But Toney can be frustratingly inconsistent, and Holyfield keeps seeming to find a way to take one more drink from the fountain of youth (see Bowe II, Tyson I, Lewis II, and Rahman).
Toney might very well show up fat and listless. This is a guy, remember, who once showed up for a title match, and wasn't even eligible for the title because of his love of donuts.
Of all the fighters I've ever seen, the idea of Toney in a fight where he isn't required to make weight worries me more than anyone else, with the possible exception of Roberto Duran. Toney could easily come rolling into the ring at 220 and get outworked. If he shows up in shape (or what passes for "in shape" for James Toney) he should win the fight.
I do not want to see a Toney-Jirov rematch. I had Jirov winning the fight until the last round, and I think his fight plan was solid, but I fear for the man's health. He simply has no regard for his own safety and no idea of how to defend himself. Toney's chin is to good for Jirov to end the fight early, which means 12 more rounds of brain cell death for the Tiger. It's kind of like Mickey Ward - I loved watching him fight, but I'm glad he has retired.
|