COMPUBOX AT RINGSIDE: RECAP

March 20, 2006 - by Bob Canobbio/Compubox

Conditioning and lack thereof was the difference Saturday night in Atlantic City.

Weighing a career-high 237-lbs. and sporting a spare-tire around his middle that makes the Michelin Man look fit, Toney, a 2-1 favorite, averaged just 46 punches per round over the last 12 minutes after getting off 56 per frame in the previous eight. As a result of that fade, Rahman, who threw 933 total punches, averaging 78 per round, retained his title with a majority draw.

Yeah, Toney landed many clean power shots: 215 of 440- (49%) to 159 of 554 (29%) for Rahman, but they were thrown one-at-a-time and without the pop of a legitimate heavyweight. After eating a few flush shots early and realizing Toney couldn't hurt him, Rahman decided he was going to outwork Toney, walking through whatever the plump challenger offered in the process.

For most of the fight, the determined Rahman used his jab, averaging 32 per round, to get close to Toney and hit whatever part of Toney's anatomy that was available. When he wasn't jabbing, the unwise Rahman fought Toney's fight, in close. Rahman was successful in Toney's kitchen (pardon the pun) because he was busier than James, who could only manage single shots in an effort to conserve energy.

The decision actually came down to the last round. Forget judge John Stewart's card, he scored it 117-111 Rahman, giving Toney just three rounds all night. If Toney, who dominated both John Ruiz and Vassiliy Jirov down the stretch, won the 12th, he wins the title via majority decision. Unfortunately the weight will make Toney have to wait for another shot at the heavyweight championship, as he managed just 55 punches in the round. Rock swept the round on all cards, getting off 90 total punches, landing 35, his high totals for the fight.

In the end, judge Tommy Kaczmarek had it 114-114, giving Rahman four of the last six rounds. Japanese judge Nobuaki Uratani also had it 114-114, somehow scoring rounds seven thru eleven for Toney before coming to his senses and scoring the last round for Rahman.

Overall, Rahman landed 279 of 933 (30%) total punches to 263 of 633 (42%) for Toney. Rahman had the huge edge in the jab department, landing 120 of 379 (32%) to 48 of 193 for Toney (25%). Fighting in spurts, Toney landed 215 of 440 (49%) power shots to 159 of 554 (29%) for Rahman.

Rahman's 933 total punches thrown is the fifth highest total for a heavyweight in CompuBox history- probably the only piece of history associated with this heavyweight title fight that gave us no zero clarity in terms of determining who is the man in this desolate division.