Rahman Agrees to Toney Rematch in July!

ESPN.com's Dan Rafael is reporting that former two-time heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman and former three-division world titlist James Toney have agreed to a rematch of their March 2006 draw.

The two will meet in a scheduled 12-around contest on Saturday, July 16 at the Pechanga Resort in Temecula, CA. Rahman (45-6-2, 36 KO's) has not fought since stopping Zuri Lawrence in the 10th round on November 15 in Reading, PA. This will be the first bout for Toney (70-6-3, 43 KO's) since winning a 10-round split decision over Danny Batchelder on May 24, 2007. Toney spent much of that time on suspension for testing positive for steroids after that bout. Batchelder was also on suspension after the bout for the same infraction.

"I think they're both marquee names, but they are at a crossroads in their careers," Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank, which promotes Rahman, told Rafael. "It's all or nothing in a division that has suffered terribly with lackluster performances lately. The winner of the fight should be given the opportunity to fight for one of the titles."

"Top Rank and I and the fighters have agreed to the fight," Toney promoter Dan Goossen said. "It's a very tough division to have a high-profile fight in without it being for a world championship, but the winner of this fight will have another opportunity to fight for another championship."

UPDATE: Goossen has announced that the Rahman-Toney Rematch will be shown on Fox Sports Net during the "Best Damn Sports Show Period."