Sports
Related Photos
Discussion
Quintin Harlan: Toney set to test MMA
James “Lights Out” Toney’s status in the world of boxing should be secure.
His career record stands 72-6-3 with two no contests and 44 wins coming by way of knockout. He’s a former world champion in four weight classes, and he’s the current NABO and IBF heavyweight champion.
And he’s the newest member of the Ultimate Fighting Championships.
Since the sport of mixed martial arts started gaining in popularity and mainstream exposure, there’s been a debate about which combat-sport was better: boxing or MMA.
And the natural follow-up question — would a boxer beat an MMA fighter and vice versa in each respective sport?
The answer of “it depends on the rules” didn’t seem to appease many. If an MMA fighter competes in a boxing match, the odds should favor the boxer, and if a boxer competes in MMA then, in theory, the MMA fighter should have the advantage.
Another former heavyweight champion, “Merciless” Ray Mercer, also has ventured into the MMA world. He had an exhibition fight against Kevin Ferguson, aka Kimbo Slice, and was submitted in the first round in June 2007. Mercer then fought former UFC heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia and duked Sylvia within the first 10 seconds of the first round.
Mercer’s bouts were on smaller shows. Toney is jumping right into the deep end of the sport with the UFC.
Toney’s first fight date and opponent have yet to be named, but odds have Toney’s debut being sometime this summer.
Now, Mercer showed the obvious, that a boxer’s punching power can translate very well from the ring to the cage. He also displayed this against Sylvia, who hasn’t scored a takedown since 2004.
Toney possesses KO power. But will he develop the other skills necessary to make it in mixed martial arts?
Indianapolis’ Chris “Lights Out” Lytle has been famous for stand-up wars in his recent outings. But in his last fight at UFC 110 in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 21, Lytle scored a submission victory on Brian Foster via kneebar.
Lytle has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He’s also a former pro-boxer, but he started out as a wrestler in high school.
Arguably the UFC’s most famous fighter is former light-heavyweight champion “The Iceman” Chuck Liddell. Liddell’s preferred style of fighting is called sprawl and brawl. During his title reign, Liddell won five straight fights by either KO or technical knockout in a 20-month stretch.
While Liddell’s bread and butter is kickboxing, he also has a background in wrestling and jiu-jitsu.
The point here is that you cannot be one-dimensional and hope to have a continuous streak of success.
Toney is 41 years old and has been boxing his entire professional fighting life. Can he make the transition? Time will tell.
Contact Quintin Harlan: 640-4835, quintin.harlan@heraldbulletin.com.
- Sports
-
-
All-Stars remember the best of times
Everybody, it seemed, remembers something different; no two stories were exactly the same.
But all the players on the 1960 Anderson American All-Star team agreed on one thing: the Babe Ruth World Series experience was one they will never forget. -
Proctor wins Boys State Junior Championship
Colin Proctor’s final drive Friday was well off-target, settling into a bunker to the left of the fairway.
With a one-hole lead in the final round of the Boys State Junior Championship, the Pendleton Heights rising freshman knew he needed only a par to bring home the title. -
Cottrell aiming for state run
Sometimes whether an athlete likes it or not, lofty goals are placed upon them. That might very well be the case for incoming Pendleton Heights speedster, Kiawna Cottrell. Off the track she is shy and quiet by nature, but on the track she has big goals that she wants to attain before she closes out her high school career.
-
Stewart wins pole at Pocono
Tony Stewart unbuttoned the top button on his racing suit and let out a sigh.
Qualifying for the pole always makes a trip to Pocono Raceway more fun. Stewart zipped his No. 14 Chevy for a qualifying lap Friday of 171.393 mph around the 2.5-mile triangle track to start from the top for Sunday’s Pennsylvania 500. -
Fever fall to Mystics 77-73
Lindsey Harding scored a career-high 33 points, including Washington’s final 13 of the game, to lead the Mystics to a 77-73 victory over the Indiana Fever on Friday night, snapping their three-game losing streak.
-
Thoroughbreds return
For the first time in Indiana thoroughbred racing history, over $1 million in purses will be on the line in a single day at Hoosier Park this season.
-
Proctor makes final four of boys state
15-year-old Colin Proctor has reached the final four of the Boys State Junior Golf Championship at Kampen Course.
-
Former Arabian among BSU elite
Perhaps no one was more surprised by Sarah Steele’s inclusion on a recent list of top Ball State athletes than the former Pendleton Heights star herself.
-
Colts sign second-round pick as camp nears
The Indianapolis Colts signed second-round draft choice Pat Angerer on Thursday, leaving team president Bill Polian free to concentrate on getting a deal done with first-round choice Jerry Hughes.
If Polian can also get things smoothed over with Pro Bowlers Reggie Wayne and Robert Mathis the Colts should have everyone reporting to camp on time Sunday. -
CRA's set for finale Saturday
The Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series will return to Anderson Speedway on Saturday, July 31 for the final appearance of the 2010 season. The WMDH ThunderCars, Street Stocks and Front Wheel Drive Figure 8’s will also be in action on Saturday night.
- More Sports Headlines
-
