Rahman is talking tough

Plenty will be at stake when James Toney and Hasim Rahman step into the ring tonight at Pechanga casino in Temecula. Especially for the loser of the 12-round North American Boxing Organization heavyweight title bout.

Both fighters are at the crossroads of their career, if not the twilight, meaning the loser probably will walk into the sunset.

“The loser of this fight should retire,” Rahman said at a news conference last month. “I’m not only going to be the guy who’s going to retire James Toney, I’m going to be the first guy to knock him out as well.”

Rahman (45-6-2, 36 knockouts) was the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion when he fought Toney (70-6-3, 43 KOs) to a 12-round draw in March 2006 in Atlantic City, N.J. A rematch was immediately set in motion but had to be put on hold while Rahman made a mandatory title defense against Oleg Maskaev in August of that year. Rahman, 35, lost to Maskaev by 12th-round technical knockout, ending his brief reign as WBC champion and negating a rematch with Toney.

Rahman defeated four low-profile opponents over the next 15 months, while Toney lost consecutive bouts to Samuel Peter, then looked unimpressive in a split-decision victory over Danny Batchelder.

Winner of world titles in four weight classes, Toney has struggled with his weight since 1994, when he lost his super-middleweight title to Roy Jones Jr. In the last three years, alleged steroid use has also clouded his career. During that span, he was twice suspended from boxing after failing post-fight drug tests.

Toney, who will turn 40 next month, tested positive after his bout against Batchelder on May 24, 2007, in San Jose, causing the California State Athletic Commission to suspend him for a year. Toney, a Calabasas resident, appealed the suspension and it was shortened to six months.

The long layoff between fights, however, has allowed Toney to re-focus on his career and his conditioning. He said his goal was to enter the ring against Rahman weighing 218 pounds, the same as when he defeated former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield by technical knockout in October 2003. Toney weighed 238 when he faced Rahman two years ago, cutting into his stamina.

“The last time we fought, he had his track shoes on for 12 rounds,” Toney said of the draw with Rahman. “This time, I am coming in shape. People will doubt what I just said, and probably for good reason, so I’ll let them see for themselves.”

The fight is scheduled to be broadcast live on the “Best Damn Sports Show Period” beginning at 8 p.m. on FSN West.

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