Boxing

Best Damn Championship Fight Night Period

James Toney vs. Hasim Rahman

July 16, 2008

Pechanga Resort & Casino

Temecula, California

Featured Bout:

NABO Heavyweight Title Bout (12 Rds)

3rd ranked James Toney (70-6-3, 43 KOs) vs. 4th ranked Hasim Rahman (45-6-2, 36 KOs)

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“Last Chance!”

Toney-Rahman In “Best Damn” Rematch;

Winner Gets A Final Title Shot – Loser No Shot

Los Angeles, CA – In a classic crossroads battle of two former champions trying to sustain their careers for

one last shot at another title, James “Lights Out” Toney and Hasim “The Rock” Rahman will hook up in their

long-awaited rematch on Wednesday night, July 16.

The scheduled 12-round NABO Heavyweight Championship Bout -- presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions,

Don King Productions and in association with Top Rank, Inc. – will headline an FSN “Best Damn Fight Night”

telecast (11 pm EST Live/8 pm PST) from Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA.

Toney (70-6-3, 43 KO) felt certain that he had taken the WBC World Heavyweight title from Rahman (45-6-3,

36 KO) when they collided in Atlantic City back in March 2006. However, the former world titleholder in the

middleweight, super middleweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions came up just short with the

judges scoring the bout a draw.

Because Rahman honored a mandatory defense commitment against top WBC contender Oleg Maskaev –

which he lost via TKO in the 12th round five months after narrowly escaping Toney – a rematch never

materialized for Toney. That will change on July 16, albeit with no world title at stake – only a title shot for

the winner and a ride into the sunset for the loser.

“I agree wholeheartedly that the loser of this fight should retire,” said Rahman, a Baltimore native, who has

fought four times since being dethroned in August, 2006. In those bouts he has come away with a decision

win and three straight TKOs – most recently against veteran Zuri Lawrence back in November to capture the

NABF Heavyweight crown.

“I can’t see Toney staying with me for 12 rounds with what I’m gonna bring this time,” Rahman continued.

“I’m not only gonna be the guy who is going to retire James Toney, I’m gonna be the first guy to knock him

out as well.”

Following his disappointing draw against Rahman, the ever-determined Toney regrouped and – in a WBC

Heavyweight Championship Elimination Bout -- put on a tremendous performance against Nigerian

powerhouse Samuel Peter in front of a packed house in LA’s Staples Center in September, 2006. Once

again, however, the Ann Arbor, MI native now living in Calabasas, CA, was deprived of a victory – in the eyes

of boxing fans and media alike – as Peter was awarded a highly controversial split-decision victory.

Because of the fan and media uproar, the WBC mandated an immediate Toney-Peter rematch, which took

place in Florida four months later. This time, however, there was little dispute in the outcome, as Peter was

awarded a unanimous decision.

Disappointed, Toney came back less than five months later and earned a split-decision win over Danny

Batchelder in a fight that he seemed to have lost interest in before the first bell.

And now after what will be nearly a 14-month absence from the ring, the 39-year old Toney and the 35-year

old Rahman, will finally meet again with the winner earning their “Last Chance” opportunity for another world

championship with the loser going home.

“If he says he’s going to knock me out, God bless him,” Toney said in responding to Rahman’s prediction.

“The last time we fought he had his track shoes on for 12 rounds. 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. I’ve learned my

lessons, although probably later than I should have, but I can tell you I’m ready to prove it. I won’t leave it to

the judges this time. I’m going to do everything to knock HIM out.”

“This is a very important crossroads fight for both Hasim Rahman and James Toney. The winner will re-

emerge as a contender for the world heavyweight championship," said Bob Arum of Top Rank, who promotes

Rahman.

“Toney’s Hall of Fame career is on the line against a 2-time Heavyweight World Champion -- the man that

KO’d Lennox Lewis to win the title -- in a do or die bout for both men,” Dan Goossen, Toney’s promoter

exclaimed. “It’s one of the few times in sports where winning isn’t good enough. The winner has to be

impressive.”

For ticket information visit: www.pechanga.com.

- Press Release issued by Goossen Tutor Promotions with a little editing from us (color, etc..)

Subject to change

(7/14/08)