James Nathaniel Toney (born August 24, 1968) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2017. He held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and lineal middleweight titles from 1991 to 1993, the IBF super middleweight title from 1993 to 1994, and the IBF cruiserweight title in 2003. Toney also challenged twice for a world heavyweight title in 2005 and 2006, and while he was victorious the first time, his championship was annulled due to a failed drug test that caused his initial victory to be overturned to a no contest. Overall, he competed in fifteen world title fights across four weight classes.
Stylistically a defensive boxer, Toney utilized the shoulder roll technique taught to him by veteran trainer Bill Miller, who had once trained heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles. Toney was an exceptional counterpuncher and inside fighter, who often preferred to fight off the ropes. He possessed fast hand speed and respectable punching power throughout his career and is also noted for his toughness, having never lost any of his 92 professional bouts via stoppage.
BoxRec-style profile
- Birth name: James Nathaniel Toney
- Born: August 24, 1968 — Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
- Reach: 74 in (188 cm)
- Stance: Orthodox
- Pro debut: Oct 26, 1988 (Win by TKO vs Stephen Lee)
- Last bout: May 13, 2017 (Win by KO vs Mike Sheppard)
- Total rounds boxed: 688 (summed from the bout table below)
- Divisions: Middleweight, Super middleweight, Light heavyweight, Cruiserweight, Heavyweight
- KO percentage: 61.0% (47 KO wins in 77 wins)
- Titles held (major, with reign dates): IBF middleweight title May 10, 1991 – 1993 (won from Michael Nunn; defenses included Reggie Johnson, Francesco Dell'Aquila, the Mike McCallum draw and rematch win, Dave Tiberi and Glenn Wolfe, per the bout table, before the move to super middleweight); IBF super middleweight title February 13, 1993 – November 18, 1994 (won from Iran Barkley; defended against Tony Thornton, Tim Littles and Charles Williams; lost to Roy Jones Jr.); IBF cruiserweight title April 26, 2003 (won from Vassiliy Jirov, per the bout table; no IBF cruiserweight defense appears before the move to heavyweight) — all dates per the bout table
Record at a glance
- Total bouts: 92
- Wins: 77
- Wins by KO: 47
- Losses: 10
- Losses by KO: 0
- Draws: 3
- No contests: 2
- Born: August 24, 1968 — Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
- Reach: 74 in (188 cm)
- Stance: Orthodox
- Divisions: Middleweight, Super middleweight, Light heavyweight, Cruiserweight, Heavyweight
Fight-by-fight record
| No. | Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round/Time | Venue / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct 26, 1988 | Stephen Lee | Win | TKO | 2 (4) | Thomas Crystal Gardens, Mount Clemens, Michigan, U.S. |
| 2 | Dec 6, 1988 | Ronnie Yoe | Win | KO | 1 (4) | The New Daisy Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| 3 | Jan 10, 1989 | Carl Penn | Win | KO | 1 (4) | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| 4 | Jan 17, 1989 | Sammy Jenkins | Win | TKO | 4 (4) | Premier Center, Sterling Heights, Michigan, U.S. |
| 5 | Feb 16, 1989 | James Fernandez | Win | UD | 4 | Premier Center, Sterling Heights, Michigan, U.S. |
| 6 | May 2, 1989 | Arthur Willis | Win | SD | 4 | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| 7 | Jun 6, 1989 | Steve Chaney | Win | KO | 1 (4) | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| 8 | Jul 20, 1989 | Mark Stephens | Win | TKO | 2 (4) | Boat Club, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| 9 | Sep 7, 1989 | Lemark Davis | Win | UD | 6 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
| 10 | Sep 21, 1989 | Joe Summers | Win | TKO | 2 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 11 | Oct 12, 1989 | Ricardo Simpson | Win | KO | 2 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
| 12 | Oct 26, 1989 | Robert Clinton | Win | KO | 1 | International Hotel & Resorts, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 13 | Nov 13, 1989 | Ron Amundsen | Win | UD | 10 | Central Park Athletic Club, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| 14 | Nov 29, 1989 | Joe Johnson | Win | TKO | 4 1:45 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
| 15 | Jan 20, 1990 | Danny Thomas | Win | UD | 8 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
| 16 | Mar 1, 1990 | Philip Morefield | Win | KO | 1 (10), 1:10 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant Michigan middleweight title |
| 17 | Apr 5, 1990 | Toby Tyler | Win | TKO | 5 (6), 1:57 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
| 18 | Apr 27, 1990 | Jose Luis Esteven | Win | TKO | 5 (10), 1:25 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 19 | May 23, 1990 | Horacio Rene Brandan | Win | KO | 2 (10), 2:06 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
| 20 | Jun 27, 1990 | Ricardo Bryant | Win | TKO | 4 (12), 2:19 | Hyatt Regency, Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won IBC middleweight title |
| 21 | Jul 26, 1990 | Sanderline Williams | Draw | MD | 10 | Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. |
| 22 | Aug 24, 1990 | Kevin Brazier | Win | TKO | 2 (10) | Hyatt Regency, Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. |
| 23 | Oct 16, 1990 | Sanderline Williams | Win | UD | 10 | Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
| 24 | Dec 10, 1990 | Carlos Silva | Win | TKO | 5 (10), 1:29 | Hyatt Regency, Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. |
| 25 | Jan 13, 1991 | Merqui Sosa | Win | SD | 12 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBC middleweight title |
| 26 | Mar 31, 1991 | Alberto Gonzalez | Win | TKO | 5 (10), 2:00 | Sands Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. |
| 27 | May 10, 1991 | Michael Nunn | Win | TKO | 11 (12), 2:14 | John O'Donnell Stadium, Davenport, Iowa, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won IBF middleweight title |
| 28 | Jun 29, 1991 | Reggie Johnson | Win | SD | 12 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBF middleweight title |
| 29 | Oct 12, 1991 | Francesco Dell'Aquila | Win | TKO | 4 (12), 0:43 | Stade Louis II, Monte Carlo, Monaco — ★ Title fight — Retained IBF middleweight title |
| 30 | Dec 13, 1991 | Mike McCallum | Draw | SD | 12 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBF middleweight title |
| 31 | Feb 8, 1992 | Dave Tiberi | Win | SD | 12 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBF middleweight title |
| 32 | Apr 11, 1992 | Glenn Wolfe | Win | UD | 12 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBF middleweight title |
| 33 | May 26, 1992 | Ricky Stackhouse | Win | TKO | 3 (10) | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
| 34 | Aug 29, 1992 | Mike McCallum | Win | MD | 12 | Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBF middleweight title |
| 35 | Dec 5, 1992 | Doug DeWitt | Win | RTD | 6 (10), 3:00 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 36 | Feb 13, 1993 | Iran Barkley | Win | RTD | 9 (12), 3:00 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won IBF super middleweight title |
| 37 | Mar 23, 1993 | Govoner Chavers | Win | TKO | 9 (10), 1:54 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
| 38 | Apr 17, 1993 | Ricky Thomas | Win | TKO | 10 (10), 0:51 | Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| 39 | Jun 6, 1993 | Glenn Thomas | Win | UD | 10 | The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. |
| 40 | Jul 29, 1993 | Danny Garcia | Win | RTD | 6 (10), 3:00 | Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| 41 | Aug 24, 1993 | Larry Prather | Win | UD | 10 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
| 42 | Oct 29, 1993 | Tony Thornton | Win | UD | 12 | Civic Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBF super middleweight title |
| 43 | Jan 16, 1994 | Anthony Hembrick | Win | TKO | 7 (10), 0:47 | Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| 44 | Mar 5, 1994 | Tim Littles | Win | TKO | 4 (12), 1:03 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBF super middleweight title |
| 45 | May 18, 1994 | Vinson Durham | Win | UD | 10 | Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S. |
| 46 | Jul 29, 1994 | Charles Williams | Win | KO | 12 (12), 2:45 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBF super middleweight title |
| 47 | Nov 18, 1994 | Roy Jones Jr. | Loss | UD | 12 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Lost IBF super middleweight title |
| 48 | Feb 18, 1995 | Montell Griffin | Loss | MD | 12 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — For IBF Inter-Continental light heavyweight title |
| 49 | Mar 20, 1995 | Karl Willis | Win | TKO | 8 (10), 1:42 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
| 50 | Apr 30, 1995 | Anthony Hembrick | Win | RTD | 5 (12), 3:00 | Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won USBA light heavyweight title |
| 51 | Jun 18, 1995 | Freddie Delgado | Win | TKO | 5 (12), 0:35 | Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won WBU light heavyweight title |
| 52 | Sep 9, 1995 | Ernest Mateen | Win | DQ | 5 (12), 2:59 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBU light heavyweight title; Mateen disqualified for repeated fouls |
| 53 | Dec 8, 1995 | Greg Everett | Win | KO | 2 (12), 2:03 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won WBU Continental cruiserweight title |
| 54 | Mar 1, 1996 | Richard Mason | Win | UD | 10 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. |
| 55 | May 14, 1996 | Earl Butler | Win | TKO | 4 (12), 0:46 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won WBU light heavyweight title |
| 56 | Jul 3, 1996 | Charles Oliver | Win | UD | 10 | Station Casino, St. Charles, Missouri, U.S. |
| 57 | Aug 9, 1996 | Duran Williams | Win | TKO | 9 (12), 2:06 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBU light heavyweight title |
| 58 | Dec 6, 1996 | Montell Griffin | Loss | UD | 12 | Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Lost WBU light heavyweight title |
| 59 | Feb 22, 1997 | Mike McCallum | Win | UD | 12 | Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant WBU cruiserweight title |
| 60 | May 14, 1997 | Drake Thadzi | Loss | MD | 12 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. — ★ Title fight — For vacant IBO light heavyweight title |
| 61 | Jun 14, 1997 | Steve Little | Win | UD | 12 | Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant IBO cruiserweight title |
| 62 | Mar 7, 1999 | Terry Porter | Win | TKO | 8 (10), 2:09 | Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
| 63 | Jul 30, 1999 | Adolpho Washington | Win | TKO | 10 (10), 0:52 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. |
| 64 | Oct 8, 1999 | Ramón Garbey | Win | UD | 10 | Roseland Ballroom, Taunton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| 65 | Jan 21, 2000 | Terry McGroom | Win | MD | 10 | Alumni Hall, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| 66 | Nov 3, 2000 | Courtney Butler | Win | TKO | 3 (10), 1:14 | Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S. |
| 67 | Mar 29, 2001 | Saúl Montana | Win | TKO | 2 (12), 2:26 | Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant IBA super cruiserweight title |
| 68 | Jul 30, 2001 | Wesley Martin | Win | TKO | 3 (10), 1:08 | Crystal Park Casino, Compton, California, U.S. |
| 69 | Mar 22, 2002 | Sione Asipeli | Win | UD | 10 | Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
| 70 | May 31, 2002 | Michael Rush | Win | TKO | 10 (10), 2:10 | Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, Oregon, U.S. |
| 71 | Aug 18, 2002 | Jason Robinson | Win | KO | 7 (12), 2:47 | Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. |
| 72 | Apr 26, 2003 | Vassiliy Jirov | Win | UD | 12 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won IBF cruiserweight title |
| 73 | Oct 4, 2003 | Evander Holyfield | Win | TKO | 9 (12), 1:42 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. |
| 74 | Sep 23, 2004 | Rydell Booker | Win | UD | 12 | Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant WBC Continental Americas and IBA heavyweight titles |
| 75 | Apr 30, 2005 | John Ruiz | NC | UD | 12 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. — ★ Title fight — WBA and IBA heavyweight titles at stake; Originally UD win for Toney, later ruled NC after he failed a drug test |
| 76 | Oct 1, 2005 | Dominick Guinn | Win | UD | 12 | Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBA heavyweight title |
| 77 | Mar 18, 2006 | Hasim Rahman | Draw | MD | 12 | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — For WBC heavyweight title |
| 78 | Sep 2, 2006 | Samuel Peter | Loss | SD | 12 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Lost IBA heavyweight title; For NABF heavyweight title |
| 79 | Jan 6, 2007 | Samuel Peter | Loss | UD | 12 | Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S. — ★ Title fight — For NABF heavyweight title |
| 80 | May 24, 2007 | Danny Batchelder | Win | SD | 10 | HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, U.S. |
| 81 | Jul 16, 2008 | Hasim Rahman | NC | TKO | 3 (12), 3:00 | Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Vacant NABO heavyweight title at stake; Originally TKO win for Toney, later ruled NC after an incorrect referee call |
| 82 | Dec 13, 2008 | Fres Oquendo | Win | SD | 12 | Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant NABO and IBA heavyweight titles |
| 83 | Sep 12, 2009 | Matthew Greer | Win | KO | 2 (10), 2:33 | Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. |
| 84 | Feb 24, 2011 | Damon Reed | Win | UD | 10 | San Manuel Indian Casino, Highland, California, U.S. |
| 85 | Nov 4, 2011 | Denis Lebedev | Loss | UD | 12 | Khodynka Arena, Moscow, Russia — ★ Title fight — For WBA interim cruiserweight title |
| 86 | Jul 4, 2012 | Bobby Gunn | Win | RTD | 5 (12), 3:00 | Landers Center, Southaven, Mississippi, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant IBU heavyweight title |
| 87 | Apr 28, 2013 | Lucas Browne | Loss | UD | 12 | Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia — ★ Title fight — For vacant WBF (Foundation) heavyweight title |
| 88 | Jun 28, 2013 | Kenny Lemos | Win | UD | 8 | Sky Ute Casino Resort, Ignacio, Colorado, U.S. |
| 89 | Nov 14, 2013 | Matt Legg | Win | TKO | 3 (3), 1:04 | York Hall, London, England — Prizefighter 32: heavyweight quarter-final |
| 90 | Nov 14, 2013 | Jason Gavern | Loss | MD | 3 | York Hall, London, England — Prizefighter 32: heavyweight semi-final |
| 91 | Aug 8, 2015 | Charles Ellis | Loss | UD | 10 | The Chase Park Plaza Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| 92 | May 13, 2017 | Mike Sheppard | Win | KO | 6 (12) 0:26 | Convocation Center, Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant WBF (Foundation) heavyweight title |
Titles & notes
Major title reigns (start–end): IBF middleweight title May 10, 1991 – 1993 (won from Michael Nunn; defenses included Reggie Johnson, Francesco Dell'Aquila, the Mike McCallum draw and rematch win, Dave Tiberi and Glenn Wolfe, per the bout table, before the move to super middleweight); IBF super middleweight title February 13, 1993 – November 18, 1994 (won from Iran Barkley; defended against Tony Thornton, Tim Littles and Charles Williams; lost to Roy Jones Jr.); IBF cruiserweight title April 26, 2003 (won from Vassiliy Jirov, per the bout table; no IBF cruiserweight defense appears before the move to heavyweight) — all dates per the bout table
- Mar 1, 1990 vs Philip Morefield: Won vacant Michigan middleweight title
- Jun 27, 1990 vs Ricardo Bryant: Won IBC middleweight title
- Jan 13, 1991 vs Merqui Sosa: Retained IBC middleweight title
- May 10, 1991 vs Michael Nunn: Won IBF middleweight title
- Jun 29, 1991 vs Reggie Johnson: Retained IBF middleweight title
- Oct 12, 1991 vs Francesco Dell'Aquila: Retained IBF middleweight title
- Dec 13, 1991 vs Mike McCallum: Retained IBF middleweight title
- Feb 8, 1992 vs Dave Tiberi: Retained IBF middleweight title
- Apr 11, 1992 vs Glenn Wolfe: Retained IBF middleweight title
- Aug 29, 1992 vs Mike McCallum: Retained IBF middleweight title
- Feb 13, 1993 vs Iran Barkley: Won IBF super middleweight title
- Oct 29, 1993 vs Tony Thornton: Retained IBF super middleweight title
- Mar 5, 1994 vs Tim Littles: Retained IBF super middleweight title
- Jul 29, 1994 vs Charles Williams: Retained IBF super middleweight title
- Nov 18, 1994 vs Roy Jones Jr.: Lost IBF super middleweight title
- Feb 18, 1995 vs Montell Griffin: For IBF Inter-Continental light heavyweight title
- Apr 30, 1995 vs Anthony Hembrick: Won USBA light heavyweight title
- Jun 18, 1995 vs Freddie Delgado: Won WBU light heavyweight title
- Sep 9, 1995 vs Ernest Mateen: Retained WBU light heavyweight title; Mateen disqualified for repeated fouls
- Dec 8, 1995 vs Greg Everett: Won WBU Continental cruiserweight title
- May 14, 1996 vs Earl Butler: Won WBU light heavyweight title
- Aug 9, 1996 vs Duran Williams: Retained WBU light heavyweight title
- Dec 6, 1996 vs Montell Griffin: Lost WBU light heavyweight title
- Feb 22, 1997 vs Mike McCallum: Won vacant WBU cruiserweight title
- May 14, 1997 vs Drake Thadzi: For vacant IBO light heavyweight title
- Jun 14, 1997 vs Steve Little: Won vacant IBO cruiserweight title
- Mar 29, 2001 vs Saúl Montana: Won vacant IBA super cruiserweight title
- Apr 26, 2003 vs Vassiliy Jirov: Won IBF cruiserweight title
- Sep 23, 2004 vs Rydell Booker: Won vacant WBC Continental Americas and IBA heavyweight titles
- Apr 30, 2005 vs John Ruiz: WBA and IBA heavyweight titles at stake; Originally UD win for Toney, later ruled NC after he failed a drug test
- Oct 1, 2005 vs Dominick Guinn: Retained IBA heavyweight title
- Mar 18, 2006 vs Hasim Rahman: For WBC heavyweight title
- Sep 2, 2006 vs Samuel Peter: Lost IBA heavyweight title; For NABF heavyweight title
- Jan 6, 2007 vs Samuel Peter: For NABF heavyweight title
- Jul 16, 2008 vs Hasim Rahman: Vacant NABO heavyweight title at stake; Originally TKO win for Toney, later ruled NC after an incorrect referee call
- Dec 13, 2008 vs Fres Oquendo: Won vacant NABO and IBA heavyweight titles
- Nov 4, 2011 vs Denis Lebedev: For WBA interim cruiserweight title
- Jul 4, 2012 vs Bobby Gunn: Won vacant IBU heavyweight title
- Apr 28, 2013 vs Lucas Browne: For vacant WBF (Foundation) heavyweight title
- May 13, 2017 vs Mike Sheppard: Won vacant WBF (Foundation) heavyweight title
Photo: stoyan vassev via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0). Featured image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/James_Toney.jpg?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=api&utm_content=original
Record source: Wikipedia professional boxing record table (cross-checked against the bout list), retrieved 2026-11-02.
