James Toney vows to be world champion in two years

James Toney, the hottest commodity on the Ghanaian boxing scene at the moment, has vowed to win the world middleweight crown in two years.

Talking to the GNA Sports on Monday, Toney who has just entered into a managerial agreement with Landmark Promotions and Management Limited said he would annex the African title by the end of the year, win the commonwealth crown next year and wrest the world belt in 2003.

"I now have a management which would give me fights to ensure that my ambition to become a world champion is realised within the shortest time possible."

Toney, with a fight record of five and as many knockouts said there are no boxers in the division who could have the courage to fight him, so he was ready to duel with boxers outside the country and "come July 27, I shall stop the champion of Cote d' Ivoire and announce my readiness for the African title."

Answering a question, the boxer the fans refer to as the "Hot Ice" said the public challenge thrown to him by Joshua Clottey, African welterweight champion was a hoax and Joshua has since apologised for daring to fight him.

On his botched fight with hard-hitting contender, Braimah Kamoko Tony said it was Braimah, who pulled out of the fight with the excuse that he would only fight him a title contest.

He said the boxers who climb into the ring after his victories to challenge him are only envious and want to play down on his performance by saying his opponents are weak.

"Let anybody who says I have been fighting weaklings mount the ring and fight me and see if he would not be perceived a weakling by the spectators because of the way I will whip him."

Joshua Clottey and Briamah Kamoko openly challenged Toney after he had posted his fifth knockout victory against a Togolese opponent on July 6.

They contended that Toney was being matched against weak and frail opponents in order to enhance his record.