Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach has seen it all in boxing, guiding and witnessing greatness from the corner of the ring following a 53-fight career of his own.
Roach’s name is synonymous with that of Manny Pacquiao and it’s no wonder – their work together set records in the sport that seem under no threat of being broken.
He has, however, cornered plenty of other supreme talents, including Miguel Cotto, Bernard Hopkins, Oscar De La Hoya, Steve Collins and Amir Khan.
The 65-year-old considers James Toney to be the most naturally talented fighter he has trained, and, in an interview with the Ring Observer, went as far as to say ‘Lights Out’ had what it takes to be the greatest of all time.
“He’s one of the world’s greatest fighters. He’d just naturally go in there, figure his opponent out and pick them apart. A great boxer.
“[If he had the discipline of Hopkins and Pacquiao] we’d be calling him the greatest fighter today. He was a great fighter. But if he put his heart into it, with his abilities, he would have been the best.”
Toney built his career on technique, timing and defensive control. After turning professional in 1988, he won the IBF middleweight title in 1991 with a late stoppage of Michael Nunn, a fight that established his ability to adapt under pressure.
Following five defences of the belt, he moved up to super-middleweight, where he became IBF champion again by defeating Iran Barkley. Toney’s rivalry with Mike McCallum, particularly their first encounter, saw fans witness some of the most technically accomplished boxing of the era.
In 1994, ‘Lights Out’ suffered the first defeat of his campaign at the quick hands of Roy Jones Jr. He would, however, later win a world title at cruiserweight before moving up to heavyweight and beating John Ruiz for the WBA belt, but the decision was overturned to a no contest following a failed doping test.
In 92 bouts, Toney was never stopped and is thus known as one of the greatest defensive fighters of all time, of course paired with extreme durability. Roach, and others, have highlighted a somewhat indifferent attitude that held Toney back, and fans will always wonder what more he could have achieved if this is indeed the case.
