“When James Toney got off his stool before the twelfth round of his cruiserweight title fight with Vassiliy Jirov, did he believe, as trainer Freddie Roach told him, that he needed a knockdown to win? Who knows? If the effort he put forth in those remaining three minutes is any indication, however, he took Roach’s words to heart. Did Jirov step from his corner believing, as trainer Tommy Brooks proclaimed, that the next round would define him? Another mystery. But Jirov fought that round as though it were his last.”
Read This is the Future: James Toney Batters Vassiliy Jirov for His Third World Title on Hannibal Boxing.
In Between Rounds 