When James Toney Mentally Broke Vassiliy Jirov

Welcome back to boxing after dark. In today's video, we look a the cruiserweight clash between James Toney vs Vassiliy Jirov. With the critics giving Toney a small chance of taking the IBF title of the undefeated champion

[@phoenixtylewitters5442]

Toney fought 92 times. He was never knocked out. He won the middleweight championship and the heavyweight championship. All time great

[@mikelowry3749]

He didn’t win the wbc heavyweight championship 🤔

[@daronte7163]

@@mikelowry3749no all his titles came through the iBF

[@keith_dixon]

"A" not "The"

[@ScratchyBarkerAnim8]

@@mikelowry3749 so? Sanctioning bodies don't mean anything.

[@Gunsmoke-dd1ym]

​@@mikelowry3749he did win but it was taken for a failed drug test.

[@belowthebeltboxing]

Toney is low key one of the most overlooked fighters of a generation! Only true boxing fans understand his greatness

[@jamesnorton7601]

By no one. He has one of the greatest records ever. Everyone knows how great JT is.

[@scs2850]

Boxing skills top 5

[@darrellwilliams1714]

When did this happen? Who overlooked James Toney? Lol

[@Nick-xw3dk]

@@darrellwilliams1714 Oh you just want to argue I see whats going on now.

[@torontoroyalty647]

James tony reach his potential because he didnt train enough and he was lazy. Wish he was more focused but hes still my favourite fighter of all time

[@albinobeach]

Toney has to be one of the most satisfying boxers to watch in his prime, he was so slick. Although he lost to Roy Jones, it was still a beautiful fight, I became an instant fan of his after that.

[@jandro8370]

This gotta be his best performance

[@JoseTorres-rs7kj]

James Lights out Toney is in my top5....

[@deerich4]

My favorite fighter such a pleasure to watch😊

[@DanielGonzalez-tw3zh]

If Toney wasn’t out of shape it would’ve been a better fight but it is what it is.

[@daughertyjack1]

He’s “undestructable”, y’all.

[@Nick-xw3dk]

James Toney was a throwback fighter in a modern day era. Special guy often overlooked simply because of his attitude but when you fight for a living a lil attitude should be expected. In an era and a time now a days when a fighters entire career consists of 25-50 fights its pretty amazing to see someone as talented as James Toney in the modern era (meaning the last 25 years) with 90 professional fights. Guy deserves his credit.

[@darrellwilliams1714]

Who overlooks James Toney? Any real boxing fan knows him.

[@Nick-xw3dk]

@@darrellwilliams1714 looks like you just answered your own question. Fans who aren't real boxing fans. Also when people refer to greats you can pull up a million interviews of real boxers and real boxing fans bringing up the names Floyd, Manny, both sugar rays, Hagler, Hearns, Duran... You never hear them say James Toney even though they should be saying his name when mentioning who are the greatest fighters to ever live. Like I said watch any interview of a reporter asking a boxer who is the greatest fighter or fighters to ever live in your opinion they never mention Toney even though I believe they should.

[@jtaco4101]

​@@Nick-xw3dkyea, I would say toney is a level below those you mentioned.

[@killa_cam4363]

Well said brother, not only about the part of how real boxing fans will give Toney his constant praise & respect but most importantly how you should for sure expect a little attitude but that’s not a reason to overlook him.

[@thehaitiansensation2781]

It’s insane how slick and subtle his defense was. He made bro miss over 800 punches

[@2RAW34K]

He got hit a lot. Not real slick just tough

[@orioyeyusuf774]

​@@2RAW34KIt's either your eyes are not functioning well or you watched most of his fights through your nose for you to say he gets hit alot.

[@Masutora]

Not to mention the way he would reply to every hit he took with a nicely time shot to the face. It was definitely a spectacle. Hats off to both of them for even making it to the bell. I get winded running for the bus. 😂

[@basictruth11-09]

Yes there were many misses but they both landed a plethora of aura. Don’t pretend like Vadily did not lead in this fight. I’m a huge fan of James Toney but truth is truth

[@ceeaki22ndcentury]

Nah Toney was SLICK AF as a fighter. And GOD gave him a chin. Sheeesh.

[@joshg.6315]

Toney is up there with the greatest defensive fighters to ever live. It takes a special talent to stand right in front of someone and make them miss almost everything they throw at you.

[@leftydrizel1842]

That Michigan Philly Shell made 2 all time greats.

[@mikelowry3749]

Yup. Looks exactly like Floyd’s defense. Bronner tried it but I’d didn’t work out for him

[@leftydrizel1842]

@mikelowry3749 Is this really Mike Lowry?? 😳 Just a joke. Broner was great for a while. He should have been more diverse. Floyd joined the family business. Broner wasn't as disciplined.

[@IntelligentBlackBrotha]

Toney ended his career 77-10 without ever being KO’d! That’s impressive! Fighting younger comp out of your prime and still holding your own? He was made for the sport!

[@Letsgo-ch8yr]

Naw he just from Michigan a lot of us grew up in boxing gyms. Kronk Jefferson just to name a couple you had to be good with hands feet and triggers.

[@damondelgado4603]

Toney had some balls, only boxing champ to get in an mma fight. He got submitted quick, but he got in there.

[@Ep0nz]

@@damondelgado4603lol who told you this? There were others like Holly Holm, Ray Mercer, and Mayorga who all fought in an MMA fight after being a boxing champion

[@damondelgado4603]

@Ep0nz Don't think I meant to say only, but you're right. The difference is Toney would whoop ALL of them 🤣

[@srgetem]

@@Letsgo-ch8yr cool a lot of you grew up in boxin gyms. not a single one of you will ever b comparable to Toney LMAOO jus stop it. he's a legend

[@diontaerespress3602]

I didn't see anybody mentally broken. I saw two warriors give it their all.

[@nopc9728]

EXACTLY 🇰🇿

[@777aq]

The mental toughness of Toney was unbelievable

[@venicec3310]

This fight was amazing pure phonebooth fighting, toney also showed the shoulder roll can be very effective against southpaws

[@DeionHarris]

thats how the bum errol spence fights he wants to fight in a phone booth but he dont have the defense thst james has errol just a dumb guy that comes forward and dont know how to fight going backwards james just showed u he can fight going backwards and forwards and standing still errol just a sorry ass bum

[@TheAssholeMechanic]

This was probably one of the best fights I think I've seen when it came to raw endurance, continuous striking, and watching two men give it all in the ring. Looking at each other in the eyes and then punching each other in them. I was LOCKED to my screen. If I blinked and felt like I missed something I went back 10 seconds. First video from this channel and if the rest of the content is 10% as interesting as this, I'm sold. Keep up the good work bud! Post more!

[@kidofsteel0362]

One of my favorite fights ever. A brutal pace set by Jirov had Toney off pace early on. Toney slowly coming back using his slickness and trickery with the casino/club crowd setting was an awesome environment too for this fight. Love it.

[@davidmcconnell9666]

To this day it’s still the only fight I’ve ever jumped for joy in the air while watching alone on TV in my living room….In the last 20 seconds of the 12 th round Emanuel Steward was losing his shit as a broadcaster !! It was just amazing never forget it !

[@bobbazoid909]

Only boxing dose that.

[@gavinbrando8255]

So did I!!!!!!

[@BlackCanvasAudio]

James Toney is my favorite boxer of all time. I fucking lost my mind watching this fight on HBO. James worked Vassily like a job until he finally broke that man. My favorite part of the fight was listening to Emanuel Steward lose his shit on the broadcast when Toney finally broke Jirov!!! LMAOOO Still gives me goosebumps! RIP Emanuel!!! SIDE NOTE: I won 5k off James when he knocked out Evander in Vegas after this fight! lol

[@brocklanders3616]

You never hear Emanuel that animated doing commentary. It honestly made it that much more exciting as a boxing fan. Usually its Lampley going wild or fanboying out on Cotto and Pac fights.

[@carolinafine8050]

Get off of it…. Jirov gave Toney one of his hardest fights

[@BlueKidSwag]

@@carolinafine8050no fool you get off it. The older Toney made Childs plays and mince meat of the younger “favorite” (hardly) Jirov

[@fruitymcgiggles8983]

Toney was guaranteed entertainment every time he fought. Would love to see some breakdowns of classic fights like Primo Carnera vs Max Baer, or Sugar Ray Robinson vs Lamotta, or Gatti vs Ward 🥊

[@j0rss]

Toney was a born boxer and a slickster, just a joy to watch. In my top 3 favorite fighters ever.

[@charleswalker5300]

One of the best fights I've ever seen

[@freezhollywood]

This was brutality. Lights Out style had him be a wide open target a lot. But that night it didn’t matter and many nights it didnt.

[@TemplarX2]

Are those two even human?

[@kelvinhardy6711]

Thank you for this one my man!( I remember watching this one live )! I swear it was one of the top five greatest fights I've seen in years . My God the technical skills Toney exuded that night is one for the books.

[@peesib]

Good channel…NEVER come across it before, glad I have!!! Love this kind of format, short with backstory and good historical fights!!! Keep it going!!!

[@TooLooze]

Well narrated and written acknowledgement of Toney's great career.

[@thePocketWatch45]

one of the best fights ive seen...and this is my first time seeing it...thank you

[@tosinpeter9466]

Toney is one of the most gifted fighter. Very unique, doesn’t fight like anyone. He is just like the Messi of boxing. His instinctive defensive style and explosive attacking prowess is incredible. This guy makes boxing like a art. JT will forever hold a special place in the hearts of true boxing fans.

[@LORDJODYE]

Gerald McClellan confronting Julian Jackson would be an amazing video. Deserves much more than a footnote in Julian's vid!

[@BoxingAfterDark]

I'll get that done this week. I'll probably end up doing both fights in one video

[@LORDJODYE]

@@BoxingAfterDark you're amazing man, thank you for the response. Could you leave a link in the description or the end of the vid to Gerald's gofundme? 🙏

[@DeionHarris]

❤❤❤❤👍👍👍

[@belowthebeltboxing]

@@BoxingAfterDarkgetting it done!

[@SteveNoverini]

Jirov wasn’t mentally broken, definetly physically broken. Edit: also, can we give jirov some credit for having some off the most awkward but effective angles I’ve ever seen at a pro level?

[@simpleman7203]

Yeah, ppl don't give Jirov enough credit, he did incredible job in the fight. Shouldve boxed smarter tho

[@GreatMewtwo]

It's scary that the unofficial scorecard had Jirov up by 2 points coming into the last round.

[@tmajec]

I watched that fight live and has Toney up by 3 rds. To think Jirov was up matched their biased commentary and it was funny to see Steward was going along with the two bozos.

[@HkFinn83]

Tbf in a fight like that it can be difficult to see what’s landing and what isn’t unless you have the perfect angle. When you can’t be sure the volume can convince the judges. It didn’t in this fight, but did for the pundits obvs

[@andrearel3703]

@@tmajec Because Steward knows more than you. Jirov won that fight.

[@tmajec]

@@andrearel3703 wipe off those tears 😿

[@andrearel3703]

@@tmajec When James said "I got milk!" You suckled his moobs.

[@o.j7408]

Boxing owes youtube channels like these for dropping docs like these and gettin people interested when boxing was down bad

[@patnelson2585]

This is why I love this channel! You actually listen to suggestions!

[@BrownBomber92181]

I remember looking forward to this matchup, even though at the time nobody cared about the cruiserweight division, and the fight lived up to all the hype. The only disappointment was the judges had such a wide decision. I thought Toney eked it out or it was a draw, it seemed like Jirov wasn't given credit for all the body punches he landed, like it was totally ignored.

[@RatatRatR]

The cards were all too wide for sure.

[@jeremiahjohnson1513]

Well, it was close but Toney was scoring more clean head shots especially toward the end and looked like he had just a little more juice, then he scored the knockdown also, and those low blows might have counted against Jirov, I don't remember if points were deducted but they probably should have been. In any case, one of the greatest slugfests ever.

[@BlueKidSwag]

@@RatatRatR243 - 380? Sure it seemed close but those stats truly prove otherwise

[@viperzerofsx]

Toney seems like a fighter from the 50s transported to modern day with the kinda style and career he had.

[@Aristotelezz]

I saw this fight a while ago and liked it very much. There are so many fights on youtube, you can't see them all, and easily overlook this fight!

[@D1_AWM]

Boy, I happy I found this great video

[@jandro8370]

This is one of my favorite fights ever. Like out of a movie. Not a lot people know about it so very cool u made vid about it.

[@STREETBEEFS_]

Awesome vid!

[@GUTTAZOE]

Thank you for this amazing content subscribed

[@BufordTGleason]

Gave a great interview as well. Agree, should get more love. All the different divisions he fought in for all that time. Incredible defensive wizard could stand right in front of an opponent and not get hit flush.

[@InsShogunGage]

Bro I love your channel so much! Quickly becoming my favorite boxing channel 🥊

[@BoxingAfterDark]

much love!

[@InsShogunGage]

@@BoxingAfterDark much love to u too, broski!!! Keep up the great work 💪 It's always a great day when I see a new (or video I haven't seen before/yet) B.A.D video!! Fr, you're very talented; & I appreciate ya & the top tier content u put out.

[@ericcallender1575]

Amazing display. Last round knockout. Thanks for sharing.

[@davehall9916]

That left hand to the body right before the knockdown was chef's kiss

[@paulwoothipoom4057]

Best toney fight. Always wondered why other fights never had this punch sound production too

[@shonmacklin9613]

Agreed. If I can't hear the punches; I'm not watching😅

[@jimbo1028]

Tony was so smooth. He is always overlooked because he came up in an era full of LEGENDS

[@94462]

This was a badass victory, jirov was undefeated with 31 Ko’s in 36 wins with a 200 fight amateur career which got him a Olympic gold medal and he was a IBF undefeated Champion and younger than Toney and a past his prime Toney Schooled him it kinda reminds me off Pacquiao Vs Thurman bashing, or Hopkins Schooling Pavlik, priceless boxing 🥊 history

[@SteveNoverini]

I wouldn’t say that Toney schooled him. It was a great back and forth fight!

[@musak.4068]

It should remind you of Floyd dominating canelo more than Pac v Thruman which was a close fight admitted by manny himself.

[@stephengeorge3507]

Or Hopkins, Tito,which I seen live at the garden,me and my friend,the late great Jimmy Allen,and a brother from crooklyn we met before the fight, probably only three people rooting for Hopkins, who pitched a shutout ,it was so one sided,the ny Ricans, were pretty fair about it,usually they want to go,by fights end,we took our money and ran out anyway

[@2RAW34K]

​@@musak.4068or maidana dominating gayweather

[@kushdenimri6776]

pygmy triggered @@2RAW34K

[@jamezgene6030]

really really really really good video! nice.

[@manpig1991]

Epic as always 10/10!!

[@martinj.chavez1198]

Love this channel!

[@cgibbs101231]

Anything with Barry Mcguigan or possibly Steve Collins in the future be great, love the content

[@poker4080]

great editing!!

[@Michaelkaydee]

Love the way they went at each other from the get-go ...

[@jask5097]

Great video, subbed

[@Macky814]

Toney is one of my favorite fighters and Toney-Jirov is one of my favorite fights but it’s a huge fallacy to say Jirov was mentally “broken”. Toney made him fight in such a way that he was so physically depleted that Toney was able to floor him in the final round. The judges cards in that fight were absurd. It was razor close and even the great Emmanuel Steward had Jirov winning even with the knockdown. Both men showed tremendous physical and mental endurance and no one was broken in that fight.

[@Makneuro07]

Saw that live. One of best fights ever

[@leowilliams9735]

I loved the Modelo music in the beginning lol

[@anthonyfisher4391]

Cotto vs Margarito rematch would be a good one to cover, especially with the back story.

[@RodimusPrime29]

This was a slug fest for real! Toney was my guy in FightNight.

[@mikejardine3888]

Hands down, one of the best fights I’ve ever seen and the best performance of Lights Out career.

[@osirisdelacroix754]

The Hand Eye coordination of Mr.Toney is impeccable..he and Matweather sit at the Pantheon of that philly style .

[@valentinobanani2534]

James Toney, one of the best bc of all time of his knowledge of the game and conditioning. He never tired throughout this fight. He was having fun in there and made it look easy, just another day at the office for him.

[@Masutora]

Man, that looked exhausting as all hell. Imagine having to go 3 more rounds if they were still doing 15. Jesus.

[@whatilearnttoday5295]

8:00 "Tony slipping right back into position for Jirov to bust him across the Johnson!" HAHAHA

[@chrisdamon1096]

😂 ayo that was wild as hell LMFAO

[@jos3phmcgrath]

“…bust him across the chops and..tony goes to the body with good effect!” **

[@KDBSPORTS_ENT]

That was an incredible fight WOW 😮

[@stopnwatchentertainmentjdt9325]

Man that thumbnail is halirious 😂😂😂

[@alexr5539]

Most underrated fighter of his era

[@crazeebandit1]

You can tell this guy was born to fight.He did care nothing about no belts.He just wanted the smoke

[@baruhgrigoryan4250]

HEY CHAMP CAN PLEAS GIVE US James Toney Vs Iran Barkley! THE BEST VIDEOS EVER THANKS!

[@30jspecial]

Wow , that was action packed

[@LordVEGA8822]

A fight I think you guys would make an awesome video on would be Winky Wright vs Felix Trinidad

[@wubranch1]

This was a hell of a fight. All of James’ gym wars prepared him for this activity and pressure. His ability to slip and counter with his back on the ropes was masterful. What a war.

[@smashalbum]

What about a video on Tim Bradley v Ruslan Provodnikov? Straight up war.

[@Njrocks00]

Damn you really dont see boxing like this anymore man this fight was good

[@clavd8932]

Bro.... some of these shots coulda knocked a horse off its feet. What warriors!

[@mrbrooklynny]

I'd love to see you do a video on Ali vs Terrell.

[@davidmurray5882]

I would love to see a video on pernell whitaker, his unbelievable draw to chavez? or maybe his war with oscar de la hoya and nelson?

[@KingELon]

damn Ive never seen this fight before CRAZY..!!!

[@FORZANAPOL__10]

You have to have great vision to use that shell Great power And impeccable timing

[@mr.renaissancemts4083]

That was a heck of a fight

[@BlackConnection337]

How in the World did James leave that fight with no cuts or swelling, my goodness what a stud

[@vailima49aston99]

I remember this fight I was on the edge if my seat the whole time they sure don’t make fights like this anymore

[@joshuagurovich]

Cotto vs Margarito is perfect for Boxing After Dark

[@t-minus687]

It’s somewhat a recent fight but Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castaño ….their first bout was a war.

[@rspct9654]

I love this channel

[@4thbranch834]

Man the way these dudes just stood inside the pocket swinging until the end gets the blood boiling Bros

[@bojagal40.91]

James looked like, man if you hit me 1 more time down there ! 😂

[@markcreightney9178]

One Of The Best Fight EVER... Both Opponents Display.

[@tjpoetsally4636]

Lights Out sings with his body and hands. What a beautiful fighter to watch.

[@RAPPEMupWRIGHT]

Nice seeing a big man work that Philly shell that well sheesh

[@3luckydog]

This fight was epic! The intense and constant pressure of Jirov vs the superior skill, defense and toughness of Toney. I have to admit I was picking Jirov on that night🤷‍♂️. I thought Jirov being younger and bigger was going to be the difference.

[@Solojo3]

Please do a video on Sergio Martinez vs Paul Williams.

[@OPTIONALWATCH]

This is one of the fights I enjoy watching. Toney is in a special list of greats and elite fighters.

[@tllhy1591]

Horrible Scorecards!!! That fight was so close that I would have understood a Draw? Shame on the judges for those ridiculous scorecards!!!

[@kevinmitchell9422]

Great doc for a Great Fighter!!!

[@brandensimmons653]

This was unabashedly my favorite fights because of the 2 went to war for all 12 Rounds with the late Emmanuel Steward going crazy OH MY GOD LOOK AT THIS LOOK AT THIS!!!!!!!

[@michaelferry1884]

Should do one on Mickey ward vs Emmanuel Augustas

[@papaspipe6167]

I'd love to see an in-depth video about the Will Smith slap to Chris Rock and the mind games building up to it and aftermath of the strike!

[@jasonfollowerofchrist]

Awesome video! That third round!

[@PiTjlang]

Pro boxing as a sport would've never had a thing to worry about if more bouts somewhat resembled this

[@Nastydealerr]

That’s a beautiful fight, and Mr. Tony put on a clinic 👀🙏🏾

[@alsantoshsantana8803]

I forgot this fight took place. Jirov was a tough hombre, i remember like yesterday when he knocked out cold Daniel Jacobs. But Toney... MAN he was indestructible !!!

[@mia8154]

One of my favorite fights to watch. Lights out could just f***in fight. Stand right in front of u, 30 lbs overweight, and make u miss and pay with that pull counter. If toney would’ve had Hopkins discipline he would be one of the greatest fighters ever.

[@cwilson2012]

That score was wild

[@PiTjlang]

The word 'WARRIOR' is thrown around a lot in sports-- boxing in particular These 2 ARE warriors