James Toney

James Toney
File:James Toney.jpg Toney in 2011
Born	James Nathaniel Toney (1968-08-24) August 24, 1968 Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
Other names	Lights Out The Dark Emperor
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Division	Heavyweight Cruiserweight Light heavyweight Super middleweight Middleweight
Reach	72 in (183 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Sherman Oaks, California, U.S.
Years active	1988–2015 (boxing) 2010 (MMA)
Professional boxing record
Total	91
Wins	76
By knockout	46
Losses	10
By knockout	0
Draws	3
No contests	2
Mixed martial arts record
Total	1
Wins	0
Losses	1
By submission	1
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec

James Nathaniel Toney (born August 24, 1968) is an American professional boxer. He is a former three-weight world champion, having held the IBF middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight titles, as well as having challenged for the WBA and WBC heavyweight titles. Toney was voted by both The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America as their "Fighter of the Year" in 1991 and 2003. In a career spanning almost three decades, Toney has fought in five weight divisions from middleweight to heavyweight, and has defeated eleven world champions. In 2010, Toney made a one-time appearance in mixed martial arts, losing to Randy Couture at UFC 118.

Fighting style

Toney is well known for his "Old School" or "Throwback" style of fighting, consisting of his head and shoulder rolls (used to avoid punches), his ability to fight off the ropes, his slick body movements, and his infighting.

Early boxing career

Before entering the ring, Toney started on the gridiron. Toney said he got scholarship offers from Western Michigan to play quarterback and from Michigan to play fullback. But Toney said, "I wasn't a team player and wasn't good at taking orders. So I went into boxing."

Toney had a brief but relatively successful amateur career, compiling a record of 33-2 (32 KOs). Toney had his first professional fight on October 26, 1988, beating Stephen Lee by a technical knockout in the second round. He was scouted and trained by Gregory Owens as a teenager, who also was his trainer through the mid-nineties. His moniker of "Lights Out" was also given by either Gregory or his son. In his 7th pro fight, Toney's manager, alleged drug dealer Johnny "Ace" Smith, was killed. Afterwards, Jackie Kallen was hired as his manager. Toney also employed the services of legendary Detroit-based trainer Bill Miller. Miller, a former boxer himself who worked in Detroit's famed Kronk Gym and assisted hall-of-fame trainer Emanuel Steward at times, is credited with developing Toney's famed "old school" or "throwback" style of fighting.

Middleweight career

Toney won the IBF middleweight championship by knocking out Michael Nunn in 11 rounds in May 1991. Toney - coming in as a 20-1 underdog - was down on all the judges cards, but landed a left hook that put Nunn on the canvas in the 11th round, and eventually scored the TKO victory. The win also earned Toney the Ring Magazine Fighter Of The Year award. Toney continued a regular fight program over the next 18 months at middleweight, before outgrowing the division, where he made several successful yet disputed defenses. The most noteworthy was Toney's split decision win over Dave Tiberi in a fight that many experts feel Toney lost. The decision was so controversial that it prompted United States Senator William Roth of Delaware to call for an investigation into possible corruption in the sport. Toney also won a split decision title defense against Reggie Johnson in June 1991, retained his title with a draw against former WBA champ Mike McCallum in December 1991, and again against McCallum, this time by a majority decision, in December 1992. The McCallum fight would be Toney's last as a middleweight.

Super middleweight career

Toney moved up to the 168 lbs Super Middleweight division.

On February 13, 1993, he challenged Iran Barkley for his IBF Super Middleweight title. After a dominating performance by Toney, the bout was stopped after 9 rounds by Barkley's trainer, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, due to Barkley suffering severe swelling around both eyes.

Toney won five fights throughout 1993, then defeated Tony "The Punching Postman" Thornton in his 1st title defense in October, via a landslide points victory. In his second defense, Toney beat the 24–0 Tim Littles by a 4th round KO. During this bout, Toney suffered a bad cut which caused the referee and ringside doctor to intervene before round 4, allowing him one more round to try to end the fight. His next defense was against former IBF Light Heavyweight champion Prince Charles Williams. Despite having a point deducted for hitting Williams after the bell in one round and having his left eye completely swollen shut, Toney knocked Williams out in the 12th and final round. This win paved the way for his fight with undefeated 1988 Olympic silver medalist Roy Jones, Jr..

Jones won a landslide decision over Toney, an upset at the time, briefly flooring Toney for the first time with a flash knockdown in the 3rd round. Jones used one of his "cockfighting" feints to lure Toney in, and as Toney mocked Jones, Toney got caught with a leaping left hook. After the fight Toney blamed making the weight for his flat performance and the loss of his cherished unbeaten record. It was his last fight at the weight.

His next fight saw him lose to Montell Griffin at light heavyweight in February 1995. After then winning a series of fights at light heavyweight, cruiserweight, and even heavyweight, he again faced Montell Griffin in December 1996 and once again lost a close decision. He beat old foe Mike McCallum in February 1997, but then lost to journeyman Drake Thadzi in his next fight.

Cruiserweight career

After taking some time off from the ring, Toney came back in 1999, seemingly focused on reclaiming his status as an elite fighter. He defeated former title holders and title contenders Adolpho Washington, Steve Little and Saul Montana, as well as Sione Asipeli, Courtney Butler, and Michael Rush. In August 2002, Toney beat Jason Robinson in an IBF Cruiserweight title elimination fight. This set up a fight between Toney and the champion, Vassiliy Jirov. After a postponement, the fight happened on April 26, 2003. Going into the 12th and final round, with the scores fairly even and the fight in the balance, Toney knocked the undefeated Jirov down in the 12th. The Kazakh rose from the canvas to go to the distance, but Toney got the judges verdict and was now a three-weight World Champion.

For Toney's performance he was awarded comeback of the year and named fighter of the year. The fight itself was named "Fight Of The Year" by The Ring magazine. Immediately afterward, Toney moved up to heavyweight.

On November 4, 2011, Toney stepped into the ring at 199 lbs, the lowest he has been since 2003 against Russian star Denis Lebedev in Russia for the interim WBA World cruiserweight title. Toney was never competitive throughout the bout after encountering problems with his left knee during round two, and the judges all had it 108 – 120. A week after the fight it was revealed Toney needed surgery to repair his knee.

Heavyweight career

Even when Toney was a middleweight, he insisted that he would one day be the heavyweight champion of the world. His October 4, 2003, victory over aging former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield was Toney's entry into the heavyweight division. After a shaky first round, Toney picked the Atlanta legend apart with shots to the body and head before stopping him in the 9th round. After the fight Toney declared he was "undestructable", that he "got milk baby" and didn't want any "bad ass questions" from announcer Jim Gray.

On September 23, 2004, Toney faced off with Rydell Booker. Although Toney injured his left arm, he was still able to defeat the clearly outmatched Booker, getting a 12-round unanimous decision for the fringe IBA World Heavyweight title.

On April 30, 2005, he defeated John Ruiz by a unanimous decision in a 12-round match for the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight Championship. Toney joined Bob Fitzsimmons and Roy Jones Jr. as the only former world middleweight champs to go on & win a legit heavyweight title. However, Toney failed his post-fight drug test, testing positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol. This led to the New York Athletic Commission changing the bout's official outcome to a "no-contest", deducting the win from Toney's career record and banning him from boxing for 90 days. The WBA ordered that Ruiz be reinstated as its champion and that Toney be ineligible for another WBA Heavyweight title shot for two years. Toney defended himself by claiming that the steroids were given to him by a doctor to treat the arm injury he suffered during the Rydell Booker fight.

In his bout after the Ruiz fight, Toney won a unanimous decision victory over former heavyweight contender Dominic Guinn. Toney next fought against Hasim Rahman on March 18, 2006, for the WBC Heavyweight title. The result was a twelve-round majority draw.

Toney's next two outings were losses to Samuel Peter. The first fight was held in Los Angeles, California on September 2, 2006. Toney lost by split decision. The return bout was held in Hollywood, Florida, on January 6, 2007, and Toney once again lost to Peter, this time by unanimous decision. Both fights were WBC eliminator bouts for the belt held by Oleg Maskaev.

Toney's next bout came on December 13, 2008, against Fres Oquendo. Oquendo was penalized one point in round eight for a rabbit punch, which would prove to be the deciding factor in the fight. Toney won a close, controversial split decision. On September 12, 2009, James fought heavyweight fighter Matthew Greer (12–5–0 11KO) at the Pechanga Resort & Casino. James won via TKO victory in round two.

On February 24, 2011, Toney made his return to boxing and won a ten round unanimous decision against Damon Reed. All three judges scored the bout 100–90. For this bout Toney weighed in at a career high of 257 lbs.

On April 7, 2012 Toney fought Bobby Gunn and won by a fifth round stoppage due to a hand injury sustained by Gunn. More than one year later on April 28, 2013 James Toney returned to take on Lucas Browne in Australia, for the WBF heavyweight title and lost by wide unanimous decision.

It was announced that James Toney would compete in Matchroom Sport's Prizefighter Series at Heavyweight, it will be the 3rd Prizefighter in which International Heavyweights will compete. It will also be a 1st in a special UK v US tournament, the event took Place on November 14, 2013, at Bethnal Green's York Hall on its usual channel of Sky Sports HD. Toney won his first bout in the Prizefighter tournament against British heavyweight Matthew Legg. He won by a TKO in the 3rd round and advanced to the semi finals. He was defeated in the semi final bout by fellow American Jason Gavern by majority decision.

After a year and a half out of the ring, Toney decided to make another comeback in the heavyweight division at the age of 46. He fought journeyman Charles Ellis, and lost by ten round unanimous decision on August 8, 2015. Toney is scheduled to face (11-5, 7 KOs) Canadian journeyman Eric Martel Bahoeli in Ottawa, Canada on January 30, 2016.

Mixed martial arts career

Toney was spotted in attendance at UFC 108 on January 2, 2010, which led to talks between him and UFC President Dana White regarding fighting in the organization. On March 3, it was confirmed by White that the two had agreed and signed a multifight deal with the company, at the age of 42.

To attempt to help his transition into MMA, Toney was coached by trainer Juanito Ibarra. Toney was later coached by Trevor Sherman.

Toney vs. Couture

His debut fight was against Hall of Famer and former UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion, Randy Couture, who was 47 years old at that time, at UFC 118 on August 28, 2010. Couture scored a takedown against Toney 15 seconds on the dot in first round and at 3:19, Couture submitted Toney. Toney was released from his contract with the UFC.

Honors

• Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year for 1991 and 2003
• The Ring magazine Comeback of the Year fighter for 2003.
• Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Year for 1991 and 2003

Professional boxing record

76 Wins (46 knockouts, 29 decisions, 1 disqualification), 10 Losses, 3 Draws, 2 No Contests
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, Time	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	76–10–3 2 NC	Charles Ellis	UD	10	August 8, 2015	Chase Park Plaza Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri
Loss	76–9–3 2 NC	Jason Gavern	MD	3	November 14, 2013	York Hall, Bethnal Green, London	Prizefighter 32: UK vs. USA International Heavyweights semi-final.
Win	76–8–3 2 NC	Matt Legg	TKO	3	November 14, 2013	York Hall, Bethnal Green, London	Prizefighter 32: UK vs. USA International Heavyweights quarter-final.
Win	75–8–3 2 NC	Kenny Lemos	UD	8	June 28, 2013	Sky Ute Casino, Ignacio, Colorado
Loss	74–8–3 2 NC	Lucas Browne	UD	12	April 28, 2013	Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne	For WBF Heavyweight title.
Win	74–7–3 2 NC	Bobby Gunn	RTD	5	July 4, 2012	Lander's Center, Southaven, Mississippi	Won IBU Heavyweight title.
Loss	73–7–2 2 NC	Denis Lebedev	UD	12	November 4, 2011	Khodynka Arena, Moscow	For interim WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Win	73–6–3 2 NC	Damon Reed	UD	10	February 24, 2011	San Manuel Indian Casino, Highland, California
Win	72–6–3 2 NC	Matthew Greer	KO	2	September 12, 2009	Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California
Win	71–6–3 2 NC	Fres Oquendo	SD	12	December 13, 2008	Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California	Won vacant WBO NABO and vacant IBA Heavyweight titles.
NC	70–6–3 2 NC	Hasim Rahman	NC	3	July 16, 2008	Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California	For vacant WBO NABO Heavyweight title. TKO win for Toney changed to no contest by the CSAC.
Win	70–6–3 1 NC	Danny Batchelder	SD	10	May 24, 2007	HP Pavilion, San Jose, California
Loss	69–6–3 1 NC	Samuel Peter	UD	12	January 6, 2007	Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casinon, Hollywood, Florida	For NABF Heavyweight title. WBC Heavyweight title eliminator.
Loss	69–5–3 1 NC	Samuel Peter	SD	12	September 2, 2006	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California	Lost IBA Heavyweight title. For NABF Heavyweight title.
Draw	69–4–3 1 NC	Hasim Rahman	MD	12	March 18, 2006	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey	For WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	69–4–2 1 NC	Dominick Guinn	UD	12	October 1, 2005	Events Center, Reno, Nevada	Retained IBA Heavyweight title.
NC	68–4–2 1 NC	John Ruiz	ND	12	April 30, 2005	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York	Retained IBA Heavyweight title. For WBA World Heavyweight title. Unanimous decision win for Toney changed to no contest after Toney tested positive in post-fight drug test.
Win	68–4–2	Rydell Booker	UD	12	September 23, 2004	Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California	Won vacant IBA and vacant WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight titles.
Win	67–4–2	Evander Holyfield	TKO	9	October 4, 2003	Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	66–4–2	Vassiliy Jirov	UD	12	April 26, 2003	Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut	Won IBF Cruiserweight title.
Win	65–4–2	Jason Robinson	KO	7	August 18, 2002	Pechanga Entertainment Center, Temecula, California	IBF Cruiserweight title eliminator.
Win	64–4–2	Michael Rush	TKO	10	May 31, 2002	Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, Oregon
Win	63–4–2	Sione Asipeli	UD	10	March 22, 2002	Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona
Win	62–4–2	Wesley Martin	TKO	3	July 30, 2001	Crystal Park Casino, Compton, California
Win	61–4–2	Saul Montana	TKO	2	March 29, 2001	Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan	Won IBA (Super) Cruiserweight title.
Win	60–4–2	Courtney Butler	TKO	3 (10), 1:14	November 3, 2000	Turning Stone Casino, Verona, New York
Win	59–4–2	Terry McGroom	MD	10	January 21, 2000	DePaul Alumni Hall, Chicago, Illinois
Win	58–4–2	Ramon Garbey	UD	10	October 8, 1999	Roseland Ballroom, Taunton, Massachusetts
Win	57–4–2	Adolpho Washington	TKO	10	July 30, 1999	Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut
Win	56–4–2	Terry Porter	TKO	8	March 7, 1999	Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona
Win	55–4–2	Steve Little	UD	12	June 14, 1997	Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi	Won IBO Cruiserweight title.
Loss	54–4–2	Drake Thadzi	MD	12	May 14, 1997	Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut	For IBO Light Heavyweight title.
Win	54–3–2	Mike McCallum	UD	12	February 22, 1997	Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut	Won WBU Cruiserweight title.
Loss	53–3–2	Montell Griffin	UD	12	December 6, 1996	Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada	Lost WBU Light Heavyweight title.
Win	53–2–2	Duran Williams	TKO	9	August 9, 1996	Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi	Retained WBU Light Heavyweight title.
Win	52–2–2	Charles Oliver	UD	10	July 3, 1996	Station Casino, Saint Charles, Missouri
Win	51–2–2	Earl Butler	TKO	4	May 14, 1996	Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut	Won WBU Light Heavyweight title.
Win	50–2–2	Richard Mason	UD	10	March 1, 1996	Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California
Win	49–2–2	Greg Everett	KO	2	December 8, 1995	Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut	Won WBU Continental Cruiserweight title.
Win	48–2–2	Ernest Mateen	DQ	5	September 9, 1995	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained WBU Light Heavyweight title.
Win	47–2–2	Freddie Delgado	TKO	5	June 18, 1995	New Orleans, Louisiana	Won WBU Light Heavyweight title.
Win	46–2–2	Anthony Hembrick	RTD	5	April 30, 1995	Rio Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won USBA Light Heavyweight title.
Win	45–2–2	Karl Willis	TKO	8	March 20, 1995	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Loss	44–2–2	Montell Griffin	MD	12	February 18, 1995	MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada	For IBF Inter-Continental Light Heavyweight title.
Loss	44–1–2	Roy Jones, Jr.	UD	12	November 18, 1994	MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada	Lost IBF Super Middleweight title.
Win	44–0–2	Charles Williams	KO	12	July 29, 1994	MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada	IBF Super Middleweight title
Win	43–0–2	Vinson Durham	UD	10	May 18, 1994	Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois
Win	42–0–2	Tim Littles	TKO	4	March 5, 1994	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California	Retained IBF Super Middleweight title
Win	41–0–2	Anthony Hembrick	TKO	7	January 16, 1994	Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania
Win	40–0–2	Tony Thornton	UD	12	October 29, 1993	Civic Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma	Retained IBF Super Middleweight title
Win	39–0–2	Larry Prather	UD	10	August 24, 1993	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win	38–0–2	Danny Garcia	RTD	6	July 29, 1993	Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania
Win	37–0–2	Glenn Thomas	UD	10	June 6, 1993	The Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	36–0–2	Ricky Thomas	TKO	10	April 17, 1993	Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania
Win	35–0–2	Govoner Chavers	TKO	9	March 23, 1993	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win	34–0–2	Iran Barkley	RTD	9	February 13, 1993	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won IBF Super Middleweight title.
Win	33–0–2	Doug DeWitt	RTD	6	December 5, 1992	Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	32–0–2	Mike McCallum	MD	12	August 29, 1992	Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	31–0–2	Ricky Stackhouse	TKO	3	May 26, 1992	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win	30–0–2	Glenn Wolfe	UD	12	April 11, 1992	Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	29–0–2	Dave Tiberi	SD	12	February 8, 1992	Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Draw	28–0–2	Mike McCallum	MD	12	December 13, 1991	Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	28–0–1	Francesco Dell'Aquila	TKO	4	October 12, 1991	Stade Louis II, Monte Carlo	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	27–0–1	Reggie Johnson	SD	12	June 29, 1991	Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained IBF Middleweight title.
Win	26–0–1	Michael Nunn	TKO	11	May 10, 1991	John O'Donnell Stadium, Davenport, Iowa	Won IBF Middleweight title.
Win	25–0–1	Alberto Gonzalez	TKO	5	March 31, 1991	Sands Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	24–0–1	Merqui Sosa	SD	12	January 13, 1991	Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey	Retained IBC Middleweight title.
Win	23–0–1	Jose Carlos Da Silva	TKO	5	December 10, 1990	Hyatt Regency Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan
Win	22–0–1	Sanderline Williams	UD	10	October 16, 1990	Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida
Win	21–0–1	Kevin Brazier	TKO	2	August 24, 1990	Hyatt Regency Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan
Draw	20–0–1	Sanderline Williams	MD	10	July 26, 1990	Dearborn, Michigan
Win	20–0	Ricardo Bryant	TKO	4	June 27, 1990	Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Dearborn, Michigan	Won IBC Middleweight title.
Win	19–0	Horacio Rene Brandan	KO	2	May 23, 1990	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win	18–0	Jose Luis Esteven	TKO	5	April 27, 1990	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	17–0	Toby Tyler	TKO	5	April 5, 1990	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan	Retained Michigan State Middleweight title.
Win	16–0	Philip Morefield	KO	1	March 1, 1990	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win	15–0	Danny Thomas	UD	8	January 20, 1990	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win	14–0	Joe Johnson	TKO	4	November 29, 1989	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win	13–0	Ron Amundsen	UD	10	November 13, 1989	Central Park Athletic Club, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Win	12–0	Robert Clinton	KO	1	October 26, 1989	International Hotel & Resorts, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	11–0	Ricardo Simpson	KO	2	October 12, 1989	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win	10–0	Joe Summers	TKO	2	September 21, 1989	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	9–0	Lemark Davis	UD	6	September 7, 1989	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win	8–0	Mark Stephens	TKO	2	September 7, 1989	Detroit Boat Club, Detroit, Michigan
Win	7–0	Steve Chaney	KO	1	June 6, 1989	Memphis, Tennessee
Win	6–0	Arthur Willis	SD	4	May 2, 1989	Memphis, Tennessee
Win	5–0	James Fernandez	UD	4	February 16, 1989	Premier Center, Sterling Heights, Michigan
Win	4–0	Sammy Jenkins	TKO	4	January 17, 1989	Premier Center, Sterling Heights, Michigan
Win	3–0	Carl Penn	KO	1	January 10, 1989	Memphis, Tennessee
Win	2–0	Ronnie Yoe	KO	1	December 6, 1988	Omni New Daisy Theater, Memphis, Tennessee
Win	1–0	Stephen Lee	TKO	2	October 26, 1988	Thomas Crystal Gardens, Mount Clemens, Michigan	Professional debut.

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
1 match	0 wins	1 loss
By knockout	0	0
By submission	0	1
By decision	0	0
Draws	0
No contests	0

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	0–1	Randy Couture	Submission (arm-triangle choke)	UFC 118	August 28, 2010	1	3:19	Boston, Massachusetts, United States	MMA debut

External links

• James Toney's Official Website
• FightFan.com: Inside James Toney's Training Camp
• James Toney Fight-by-Fight Career record
• Professional boxing record for James Toney from BoxRec
• Professional MMA record for James Toney from Sherdog
• James Toney on entering into MMA
• James Toney at the Internet Movie Database

Sporting positions
Preceded by Michael Nunn	IBF Middleweight Champion May 10, 1991 – February 13, 1993 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Roy Jones, Jr.
	Lineal Middleweight Champion May 10, 1991 – February 13, 1993 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Bernard Hopkins
Preceded by Iran Barkley	IBF Super Middleweight Champion February 13, 1993 – November 18, 1994	Succeeded by Roy Jones, Jr.
Preceded by Vassiliy Jirov	IBF Cruiserweight Champion April 26, 2003 – September 2003 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Kelvin Davis
Vacant Title last held by Kali Meehan	NABO Heavyweight Champion December 13, 2008 – August 13, 2009 Stripped	Vacant Title next held by Brian Minto
Titles in pretence
New title	World Middleweight Champion IBC recognition June 27, 1990 – May 10, 1991 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Danny Garcia
	World Light Heavyweight Champion WBU recognition June 18, 1995 – December 6, 1996	Succeeded by Montell Griffin
Vacant Title last held by Lou Savarese	World Heavyweight Champion IBA Recognition September 23, 2004 – September 2, 2006	Succeeded by Samuel Peter
Vacant Title last held by Samuel Peter	World Heavyweight Champion IBA Recognition December 13, 2008 – July 23, 2011 Stripped	Vacant