2003 Fighter of the Year James Toney will finally be in action for the first time in 2004. Toney battles undefeated Rydell Booker of Detroit on September 23rd from the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California. Toney has not fought since November of 2003 when he stopped Evander Holyfield in the ninth round. Toney had to cancel a fight earlier this year, because he ruptured his Achilles tendon during training, and has been recovering from the injury since then.

Toney is anxious to get back in the ring and show that he is a major force in the Heavyweight division. Toney won the Fighter of the Year award in 2003 with two huge victories. He beat Cruiserweight champion Vassiliy Jirov in a potential fight of the year to start 2003. Then in November he moved up to Heavyweight and dispatched of Evander Holyfield in impressive fashion. Toney hopes that ring rust will not be a factor when he faces Booker on the 23rd. Booker is a undefeated prospect with a 22-0 record with 12 KOs. Booker's competition has been light, and Toney will be a giant step up in class for him. Booker is coming off a split decision win over Tipton Walker in June.

James Toney at one time was the Middleweight champion of the world until he lost to Roy Jones nearly 10 years ago. Since then he moved up to Cruiserweight and dominated. Many people believe that Toney can do the same in the heavyweight division. Toney has always been an excellent crafty boxer with good power. A slick boxer, who knows every trick in the book. Some might call Toney a bigger Bernard Hopkins. Toney hopes that Booker will be a stepping stone to a big fight in the Heavyweight division. Toney has been training hard, and will be ready to return to the ring after a 10 month layoff.

Also on the card will be the return of featherweight Wayne McCullough, who will battle Mike Juarez in a 10 round affair. Heavyweights Cedric Boswell, Travis Walker, and Gerald Nobles are also scheduled to be on the card. If you like heavyweights this card will provide you with what you're looking for with four heavyweight fights. Nobles is an undefeated prospect coming off a TKO victory over Bruce Seldon in his last fight. The Toney main event is scheduled to be televised on Fox's "The Best Damn Sports Show Period."

This card is being promoted by Goossen-Tutor Promotions and will take place on September 23rd from the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California. For tickets to this great event call (877) 711-2win.

Questions? Comments? Write Tom Dickey

9-13-2004