Tim Graham: Leaning toward Rahman

By TSS Predictions March 16th, 2006

My prediction is tempered by the fact I was able to witness Hasim Rahman in camp, while I haven’t seen James Toney. What I do know is Rahman is in tremendous shape and that he can slug. I don’t know what type of condition Toney is in, and I don’t know if he can take a true heavyweight punch. I’m confident Toney’s elusive style will make Rahman look foolish at times, but I also think Rahman’s trainer, Thell Torrance, will figure out the puzzle. Torrance has been in the corner of several Toney opponents, including Montell Griffin (two wins over Toney), Mike McCallum (draw, majority decision for Toney) and Vassiliy Jirov (fight of the year). I’m leaning toward Rahman, but it will have to be by knockout because if it goes the distance, Toney’s boxing skills likely will have won him enough rounds.

Tim Graham writes for the Buffalo News and The Sweet Science. To read more of his work

2 Responses to “Tim Graham: Leaning toward Rahman”

  1. Nelson Feliciano Says:
    March 17th, 2006 at 9:26 am

    I find it hard to believe that Rahman could beat Toney. Rahman couldn’t beat John Ruiz or Holyfield, both of which were easily beaten by Toney.

    I think the problem with people seeing Toney as a legitimate heavyweight is Toney’s physique. His physique resembles that of James “Buster” Douglas, who turned out to be a one hit (uppercut) wonder. However, Toney fights like a boxer with ESP… as if he knows what punch is coming and counters it beautifully.

    Rahman, on the other hand, is good at boxing…but not as good as he needs to be against the elite in his weight class. His latest fights have been ho-hum against the less-than elite. His biggest win, upset win, was against an under-prepared, looking-past-his-opponent, sleepy, Lennox Lewis. Not to take anything away from Rahman’s win, but let’s face it, the Lennox Lewis he had a rematch with was the one that didn’t show up in their first fight. Also, since the fight was overseas, the time slot of the first fight was early morning due to the HBO telecast, which Lennox didn’t prepare for - getting there a week before the fight and fighting at nose-bleed altitude.

    Old school against bold school - I take old school. “Lights Out” by late stoppage.

  2. Woodsy Says:
    March 18th, 2006 at 2:02 am

    Good to have you back, Prez.

Leave a Comment: