I don't follow boxing like I used to. Speaking for myself, MMA didn't take it's place (I know it has for many fans) in my fandom, I'm just not into it like I used to. Back a number of years ago, it was fun watching boxing and mostly with the local flavor that James Toney brought to the sport and Ann Arbor.
James Toney the former Huron QB and Boxing's former three division World Champion was fun to watch back 10+ years ago. It seemed he would fight anyone on TV from ESPN to pay-per-views against the likes of Roy Jones Jr. There was even a "rumor" that James got into a fight with Deion Sanders at Michigan's football camp while he was in high school.
That was along time ago and James is now 43 and just signed to fight Tomasz Adamek on September 8th. Here is a quote from ESPN's Dan Rafael on the September match-up:
You don't have to be a doctor to see that the man is clearly damaged. Perhaps Toney will pass his New Jersey medicals, which are supposed to be conducted this week. But it doesn't take a medical professional to diagnose that Toney shouldn't be fighting anymore, no matter how much financial distress he's in due to his tax issues.
Somebody needs to make him stop, and that obviously isn't going to be Main Events. Toney is 43, in his 24th year as a pro, has fought 86 times, sparred thousands of rounds, gained and lost inordinate amounts of weight and been in some very violent fights. He is a cracked shell of what he once was.
I understand professional athletes want to compete and will stay in their sport as long as they can. I also understand that boxers go from making a few hundred dollars per fight to making Millions and then back to a few thousands. They have agents, cut men, trainers, who all need cash. Boxers no matter how well they manage their money have a hard time keeping it.
This situation with James Toney worries me and I'm worried for his prospects of having a healthy life past the age of 43. I understand that James fight against Denis Lebedev last November was a complete nightmare. I hope the best for James, I hope someone close to him wants the same thing.
- Today is the start of Nike's Opening. Like I mentioned before the 4th there are a ton of Michigan guys in attendance. A couple of prospects names that I left off that will also be at Nike's HQ includes: DB Kendall Fuller, DE Joe Mathis and RB Derrick Green. Go get them Shane!
- Former MSU head coach and current interim head man at Arkansas, John L. Smith is bankrupt due to some bad real estate deals. As you remember, Rich Rod also lost some money on a real estate deal. I guess football coaches are targets for guys looking to sell some land.
- Darius Morris is expected to sign another deal with the Lakers for just under $1M per year. The Lakers also just traded for one of the best point guards ever in Steve Nash. This could be a great thing for Darius as he can learn behind a legend or a bad thing if the Lakers don't feel like they need him. Manny Harris also got cut by Cleveland. Manny was injured last year after a freak freezer accident.
No comments:
Post a Comment