July 10, 2008, Temecula, CA – On July 16th, 2008, the boxing world will have the rematch of a lifetime – literally. The long-awaited “Last Chance” for Hasim “Rock” Rahman (45-6-3, 36 KOs) to be considered a heavyweight contender as he once again faces the living legend James “Lights Out” Toney (70-6-3, 43 KOs) at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA..
The scheduled 12-round NABO Heavyweight Championship Bout — presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and Don King Productions, in association with Top Rank, Inc. – will see the two fighters meet again after their March 18, 2006 matchup that saw Rahman fight Toney to a draw after 12-rounds in Atlantic City, leaving Rahman retaining the WBC heavyweight title (he then lost the title later that year to Oleg Maskaev). Both fighters say they are training hard to go the distance for this showdown.
Toney, 39, has been training at the 360 Gym in Reseda, CA. Among his sparring partners preparing him for his fight are former WBA Heavyweight Champ Lamon Brewster and undefeated prospect Malik Scott. In an appearance on FSN’s “Best Damn Sports Show Period” last week, co-host John Salley commented that in over 20 years he had never seen James Toney in such great shape as he is now.
James is a 20-year pro. As a former IBF middleweight, super middleweight, and cruiserweight world champion, James is a future Hall of Famer and is undefeated in his last 15 fights. His wins against Evander Holyfield and IBF cruiserweight world champion Vassilliy Jirov earned James the “2003 Fighter of the Year” award by The Ring Magazine, which joins his “1991 Fighter of the Year” award.
Hasim Rahman became the heavyweight champion of the world by knocking out Lennox Lewis in 2001 and then lost the title to Lewis later that year, before regaining the WBC championship in November 2005. Rahman said, “I know this is my last chance to remain in title contention. I just don’t want a ‘W’; I’d like it to be spectacular. James Toney is a throwback fighter…Good defense. Knows how to fight. I’ll be ready for him. We had that 12-round experience together.”