JAMES TONEY w rsf 7 ANTHONY HEMBRICK
January 16, 1994; Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, PA
“I DON’T know the guy but I don’t like him,” said the brooding James Toney of Anthony Hembrick in the pre-fight interviews. Toney would tell his opponent in person throughout the fight. A throwback in so many ways, “Lights Out” was one of the last world kings to regularly engage in non-title fights while holding a championship. Then the IBF super-middleweight boss, Toney would often move up to light-heavyweight while staying busy. Hembrick, a 1988 Olympian and fringe contender, was no easy touch but Toney, a joy to watch in this form, was a different class.
DID YOU KNOW? Toney was 176lbs, eight pounds above super-middle. During his 21-month reign at 168lbs he engaged in eight non-title bouts, weighing between 169 and 181½lbs. His activity was to be admired but undoubtedly a factor in his poor performance when losing his title to Roy Jones Jnr.
WATCH OUT FOR: The left uppercut that Toney lands off the ropes, with about 15 seconds of the fifth remaining, is a work of art.