Thompson, Toney Meet The Press!

(Photo by Big Joe Miranda)

Tony "The Tiger" Thompson and James "Lights Out" Toney met the press yesterday to promote their nationally-televised heavyweight bout on Dec. 13 at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, CA.

"Our sport along with the fans, want compelling bouts," says promoter Dan Goossen. "In the Toney-Thompson fight, we've put together two fighters that are world ranked, battling against each other, and the winner guaranteed to being closer to fighting again for the most coveted title in sports – world heavyweight champion. This could not have been done without the fighters taking up the challenge."

"I am very excited the fight is happening with Toney. A win against someone at that level pushes me right back into a title fight," Thompson said. "He's very crafty, but doesn't have the strength to keep me off of him. He will have trouble with my size and power and especially the experience I gained in my fight with Klitschko. This is a must win for me and whatever it takes to get it done is what I'll be prepared to do. And I will get it done."

Thompson will have a distinct height advantage in this bout, standing 6-6 to Toney's 5-11. Toney, however, says size will not matter in this one.

"Tony Thompson is gonna be the victim," insisted Toney. "I'll come out like I did against Hasim Rahman in the rematch (back in July). Rahman quit on his stool. I'm ready to go. I'll fight 'em all. I'll fight the Russian giants. Come December 13, I will definitely be in Thompson's face and his lights will be turned out.

"I'm the people's champ because I fight everybody and they know it," Toney continued. "Everyone saw what I did to Sam Peter in our first fight. I whooped him good and just did the same thing to Rahman. Thompson is the next one I'll expose. It took Klitschko 11 rounds to get him and I'm going to knock him out right onto Dan Goossen's lap a lot sooner than that."