Sunday, March 19, 2006

Thoughts on Rahman-Toney!

Here are my comments on the WBC Heavyweight title bout between Hasim Rahman and James Toney. I'm anxious to read your thoughts about my theory.

this is an audio post - click to play

3 comments:

  1. Gary -- Interesting hypothesis and you just may be right. I think some observers saw Rahman's only chance being a KO using his overwhelming strength and punching advantage. It was of course not like that. He jabbed, leaned, and delivered shots to whatever opening that was available. I'm not sure anyone could actually look good against Toney --- nevertheless Rahman was by far the better man last night. You can read my take at: http://jeboxing.blogspot.com/

    Thanks,
    JE

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  2. Gary - I think you're right. The judges probably felt that Toney would beat Rahman and therefore if the round was close, they probably gave it to Toney. In my personal opinion, however, the only judge who got this one right was Stewart at 117-111 for Rahman. I had it 116-112 for Rahman. I couldn't believe it when I read that Rahman had to win the 12th round on the other two judges scorecards to get a draw! Wow! Now that would have been a travesty! I was impressed by Rahman and I would love to see him fight in Baltimore! Thanks, Joe Hensley

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  3. what's happening gary,
    i finally got a chance to watch the fight the other night and was somewhat impressed with rahman. his conditioning and will is what kept him in the fight.
    toney showed tremendous skill and heart; had he come in better condition he would have won a decision. many proclaim rahman to be a clear cut winner, i didn't see that. he threw more punches yes, but were they clean effective punches, i say no. rahman landed very few solid punches, toney's punches were clean and crisp.i had it a draw myself, neither fighter did enough to win.
    my take on the judges is somewhat different. i think the judges were looking at this, well scuplted guy fighting a guy, who didn't look like he belonged in the ring with anyone, giving a boxing lesson. the judges know toney, of course, but i know they were expecting rahman to overwelhm him at one point and take control of the fight,and it never happened.
    needless to say, i hope they do it again..
    for someone who doesn't train like a fighter, he sure made a good account of himself.. a in shape toney would be awesome.. that leaves the question: is the heavyweight division that weak that a 37 year old former middleweight champion can rule? he went 12 rounds with one of the top 3 heavyweights in the world. my answer is, the heavyweight division is in dire straits. :) it looks like we will be waiting another 10-15 years for a dominat heavyweight, which is usually the time span between dominate champions..

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