No disrespect to Prizefighter, but the sight of an out-of-shape James “Lights Out” Toney sharing the ring with a line-up of journeymen in the heavyweight version of the tournament at London’s York Hall was a sad reminder that time waits for no athlete — even a legitmate ring legend such as Toney.
When it comes to the fighter who stood out as the most skilled, outrageous, and memorable character I ever saw train at Freddie Roach’s Wildcard Boxing Gym in LA back in the early noughties there’s no contest.
Toney wasn’t so much a fighter as a force of nature. Whenever he arrived at the gym with his entourage of true believers the atmosphere underwent an instant and palpable change.
JOHN WIGHT pays tribute to the day in history when Randolph Turpin dealt the world of boxing an almighty blow
SYLVIA HIKINS recommends a fascinating, revealing, superbly acted evening of theatre


