"I'm just finally realizing, I think, that they are trying to weed me out. They want me to just disappear. But I've gave too much to this sport to do that. I'm not going anywhere...it's just one of those situations where I watch guys like Chris Arreola, and all of these guys, fight on television; they are fighting straight up bums, they turn around, and the network has another bum lined up for them. Shouldn't they have to pass a test like James Toney to go to that next level...I want to fight the best to prove that I'm the best. I mean, even if you don't think I'm what I used to be, you gotta know that I would put on a better performance than Shane Mosley has been putting on. I've never been knocked out like Roy Jones, but yet people are still willing to fight these guys," asked future Hall of Famer James "Lights Out" Toney, who continues to wonder why heavyweight contenders are reluctant to test their skills against him. Check out what else he had to say!
PC: How are you JT?
JT: I'm good man; just dealing with the same ol' shit.
PC: When you say the same ol' shit, does that mean fights are still falling through? You're still not able to secure a fight?
JT: I'm just finally realizing, I think, that they are trying to weed me out. They want me to just disappear. But I've gave too much to this sport to do that. I'm not going anywhere, man.
PC: The last time we spoke, it appeared that a fight with Michael Grant may have been a possibility. What's up with that fight?
JT: That shit ain't happening either.
PC: Sounds like all of this is starting to get to you.
JT: It's just one of those situations where I watch guys like Chris Arreola, and all of these guys, fight on television; they are fighting straight up bums, they turn around, and the network has another bum lined up for them. Shouldn't they have to pass a test like James Toney to go to that next level?
PC: I agree. I think these guys should be trying to feast off of you, David Tua or any heavyweight with a name that's supposedly past their prime. It would be a much better test for these young guys and would make or break them either way.
JT: That's what I'm talking about. You take my...look at my two fights with Sam Peter. He was either going to go on and do great things or we were gonna find out what he was made of; if he could survive two wars with a ring legend and be great. He didn't pass the test. That's what Mike McCallum did for my career. I survived those wars and went on to do great things. It's really robbing the fans because they want to see competitive fights. They want to see the Klitschkos in competitive fights, but those guys aren't nowhere near ready, so you get a lopsided ass whoopin'. I couldn't have fought some of the guys I fought in my career like Mike McCallum and Iran Barkley if I wouldn't have fought Michael Nunn and guys like that to test myself. That's why boxing isn't full of young pay-per-view stars because they don't let these guys take the proper steps and match them with the proper test. Props to Victor Ortiz for stepping up to fight Floyd; a young kid taking a real test.
PC: So what's the plan, man?
JT: I just gotta stay in the gym and stay focused. That's all I can do at this point. I've never asked for any hand outs and I'm damn sure not looking for one now, but you would think with all I have done in this sport that someone would want to test their skills against me. But I'm still here and I'm not going anywhere. Hasim Rahman is a guy I've beaten up twice, he just came in at 284 pounds and he's getting a title shot against Alexander Povetkin for the WBA strap. That's the kind of shit that pisses me off. Then I see the face to face between Haye and Klitschko and they talking about some shirt that Haye had made up with Klitschko's head on it. Man, I done talked about him, his brother, and his momma and he won't fight me (laughing). It's just crazy No Mercy.
PC: Yeah, this is the first time I can sense it's really getting to you. I know you don't want another two-year layoff.
JT: I can't be off for that long. I'm a fighter and fighters fight. I hear all of these good ideas and names, but none of it ever comes through. It's tough because it's not like I'm calling out bums and scrubs. I want to fight the best to prove that I'm the best. I mean, even if you don't think I'm what I used to be, you gotta know that I would put on a better performance than Shane Mosley has been putting on. I've never been knocked out like Roy Jones, but yet people are still willing to fight these guys, man. That shows you what kind of heart these guys have. That's why I only respect a couple of fighters; only a handful of fighters have my respect.
PC: Ross Thompson is a guy who has been making a lot of noise on my Facebook page calling out you and Amir Mansour. He said you guys have history andÂ…
JT: (Cutting in) Man, tell him to go get some business and go fuck his momma. I knocked his bitch as out in the MGM with no gloves on. He's from New York, that's all you gotta know. He's from Buffalo too; the home of the losers. The Bills couldn't win a Superbowl if they played themselves in a scrimmage. Fuck him.
PC: As always my man, I really hope something comes up for you here soon. Keep me posted as always.
JT: You already know you will be the first to get my next move. If these guys really want a test, they will come to school! To my fans, thanks for all of the support over these years and continue to support because we're not going anywhere.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]