Trainer: Toney will be back in MMA, UFC or not
“They might have won the battle, but the war ain’t over yet,” recalled John “Pops” Arthur, Toney’s trainer of 12…
“They might have won the battle, but the war ain’t over yet,” recalled John “Pops” Arthur, Toney’s trainer of 12 years, of the boxing champion’s words after the fight.
“If a fighter doesn’t respond – not just James, but anybody – to his coaches, what can you say?”
“James was so upset. He was so mad, he just wanted to hit [Randy]. He wanted to get close enough to hit him one time because of so many things that happened that night that were going against us.
“There were some things happened that he wasn’t happy with. It’s personal. It drove him to a whole different level.”
“I said, ‘Whatever you do, don’t stand in front of the kid because the kid’s going to try and take you down. [He’s] going to take that lead leg. That’s what he did.
“I told him he’s got to move. I said, ‘You’ve got to get out there and use your boxing skills.'”
“He had those damn cufflinks (ankle supports) on his feet; those damn things that keep you from sliding, and that’s another bad thing. “He gave [Couture] something to grab onto.”
“”If we don’t plan on fighting in the UFC, send me the release paper and we’ll take it to the next level. I know the UFC is the No. 1 [in mixed martial arts, but if Dana voiced that we don’t fight for him anymore, send me the release papers. I don’t have any problem with that.
“Once that happens, then I’ll start working on stuff. But right now, we’re focused on him defending his IBA heavyweight championship.”
“He’s going to be doing groundwork and boxing. He’s going to be a two-sport athlete. The reality is that he wants to do it, and he will do it again. I think the next time I match him up, I’ll make sure I’ll matchup at least 50-50 equal. The cards were stacked against him.”
“I’m going to roll with him – good, bad, and ugly. “The first day I see James getting beat up or hurt, that’s the first day he’s going to stop fighting.”
