Freddie Roach on Toney: "I don't think there's one fighter in MMA that could stand with James."
by Giada Esposito on March 11, 2010

Freddie Roach stands as one of the all-time great boxing trainers, with 25 world champions to his credit. Roach currently trains superstar Manny Pacquiao, the first boxer to win world titles in seven different weight classes.

Roach has also trained a number of MMA stars over the years, including UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva, lightweight champ BJ Penn, and former heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski. Earlier in his career, he also trained the UFC's latest acquisition: boxer James Toney, former IBF middleweight, super-middleweight, and cruiserweight champion of the world.

Toney's signing by the UFC has generated a lot of attention and mixed opinions, both in the boxing and MMA communities, from those who expect him to fall flat in the Octagon to others who believe he'll be a genuine force in the cage. Although Toney is preparing for his possible MMA debut in June, he's yet to be notified of an official opponent.

In a recent interview with CraveOnline.com, Roach gave his opinion on the UFC's decision to sign Toney, as well as MMA in general.

"I think they're using James as a way to say MMA fighters are better than boxers," Roach confided. "If he fights a quality ground guy, once he goes to the ground he's gonna get killed. But, if a guy chooses to stand up with James, James is gonna destroy him. That's why they call him "Lights Out". I don't think there's one fighter in MMA that could stand with James."

When asked about who, of all the fighters he has trained, has the most physical talent (a list that includes names like Oscar De La Hoya and Mike Tyson as well as Pacquiao) Roach had a somewhat surprising answer.

"Physical talent is James Toney," Roach stated.  "If he just had discipline he would've been the greatest fighter of all time, but he doesn't."

Despite his feelings about the UFC's plans for Toney, Roach views MMA with respect, and admires the talent of top MMA fighters. He still works with MMA fighters on a regular basis.

"I had two guys fight last night," said Roach. "They had 5 MMA fights and 5 boxing matches each, so I'm around the fighters a lot. I like the standing part of it better. Two guys on the ground doesn't appeal to me, but I understand there's a science to it. I've had a few fighters: Andre Arlovski, BJ Penn, Anderson Silva, Tito Ortiz, and I work with those guys occasionally. They all have talent."

 |  (69) Comments Andrew: I'm a huge Toney fan and I think he could Ko anyone that wanted to stand with him, but I don't think he would Ko anyone that did. He was and still is a great Boxer but he is past his prime and may not be able to take a hard kick to the knee. Although I do think he would step in and eat the kick to land a punch I don't think he would ko everyone he hit. Andrew: I think it will be much better in the long run for mma if Toney is able to ko some high profile MMA fighters. I think it will bring better talent to MMA from boxing. Little_Kang: Didn't roach say that diego had better stand up then bj.... roach knows shit The Hitman: Roach is the fuckin man. this statement is incorrect, but freddie roach is awesome Dishonest John: wtf does this guy know about mma? Go ahead and put old ass Toney in with a good mma striker and watch the embarassment ensue. Little_Kang: I swear just give him Pat Barry or Antoni Hardonk and watch Tooney give up after no more then 4 leg kicks IwishIwasMMA: Honestly.. Toney will KO anyone that exchanges hands with him for an entire round. I can see that pretty easily... What I cannot see.. is one stupid retard fighter doing that... They are all going to use MULTIPLE STAND UP TOOLS to take him out. He wont be prepared for leg kicks. He wont be prepared for high kicks. He wont be prepared for clinch fighting. He wont be prepared for knees. He wont be prepared for greco. He wont be prepared for Thai clinch. If he believes a fighter is going to trade with him until someone gets KOd.. then not only should that fighter be shoed out of the UFC, but that is not the fighter he should be fighting anyways. He should HAVE to fight someone well rounded or at LEAST with K-1 Credentials like Barry, Cro Cop, etc. Hell even Hunt... Elvis Freshley: I think in terms of stand up a boxer -especially one of Toney's calibur- has without a doubt the clear advantage in the stand up and there is nothing we can do about it. I've discussed this with my friends before and our general consensus is that it's a matter of MMArtists being 'Jack of all trades...master of none' in terms of striking...a solid MMA striker has twice sometimes three times as many tools as a professional boxer and none of those tools rival a boxers fist. The key is head movement and that many MMA fighters lack good head movement and the angles of punches in MMA are very wide and looping (Shogun, Fedor, Wanderlei) and boxing punches are simply far too quick, powerful, and crisp. Leg kicks will weaken a boxer and yes they are a very significant threat -ask Rampage or Machida about that- but James Toney will be bringing really fast and really strong hands an entire fight. Standing up with the man is a fools bet, the key to beating a boxer will be in the clinch and on the floor...but the floor is a bit boring and we've already seen tons of pure stand up fighters get tooled on the floor. Bring in a solid Muay Thai guy and watch him get in that clinch and destroy Toney standing...just hope he doesn't get knocked out before he can get that clinch. Little_Kang: Let anderson toy with him the thai clinch Andrew: [QUOTE=Little_Kang;82192]Let anderson toy with him the thai clinch[ Does everyone really believe that a world champion boxer will be lost in the clinch. You know they clinch in boxing right. I would take Toney in a huge upset over A.Silva honestly because he isn't a huge kicker and has stated his desire to box. Andrew: Ya Toney has never had someone try and grab him and hit him. You really think he is just going to let A. Silva drop bombs on him from the clinch. To get the clinch Silva has to step into range, then once he's there he's gonna have someone who knows how to fight while being held, and the point about the boxing clinch being used only for a fighter to catch his breath is ridiciouls, you know as much about boxing as Bob Arum knows about MMA you should watch a few more fights before you make a silly statement like that. Don't get wrong I'm not saying Toney is gonna have the advantage in a muay thai clinch, Im just saying I would be suprised if he ended up like Franklin because of Anderson's clinch. The Hitman: there are alot of guys that would outstrike him, but there are even more guys that he can KTFO xdusty: roach doesnt know anything. he's simply fashionable at this point. he doesnt take shitty fighters and make them great. he takes in every fighter that becomes champ. he's like greg jackson. sure he's good, but when all the top talent tracks you down....its not hard to look great. toney can be whatever he wants to be. its been factually proven that boxers hit no harder or faster then an mma fighter. and if you think that a single hand clinch for dirty boxing is even remotely similiar to a muay thai clinch with knees....your mistaken. hydro5135: i dont know about that. thai clinch = uppercut or body punch everbody seems to think that hes not being or hasnt trained at all for mma fighting it think whoever he fights will take him down as fast as possible and it will be all over a boring 2 min fight dana is a boxing fan and a former boxer him self but he wont put sombody in there who going to stand up with him and make the ufc look inferior. personaly i prefer stand up fighting hell who doesn't but 90% of the time in mma if its stand up its inferior to boxing. id like to see a 20 year old tyson in a mma fight with no take downs rules. think about this if it was a street fight id want a pro boxer on my side well unless brock or carwin, lashley but mabey not idk. MAStudent: In my opnion, I think people need to look at Toney not as a boxer doing MMA, but as an MMA artist that out of long range kicking/kickboxing/trapping/clinch/dirtyboxing/judo/wrestlng/takedowns/bjj has spent many years only fosucing on the boxing/trapping/dirty boxing aspect of his game. He's bound to be good at it, especially if the scouting report says best physical skills out of 25 world champs. Game plan around that, mop him up in some other area, and party with Chuck and some fighter ho's later that night. Tru to get SUB of the night :D GO HARD: his best match up would be A Silva?!?! seriously?!?! how would he land a punch?? how? he would not... absolutely ludercris. q>: / that is the worst match up for toney in the ufc. GO HARD: lol. im glad i make u chuckle with my anderson silva nuthuggery WM... but im usually 100% genuine and serious with it. q; D it is true.. i do love the diaz bros as well. q; D thug4less: Damn. You guys were rough on poor Andrew. Not that you were wrong in your arguments. Just rough. Andrew: I can't believe so many well educated fans of combat sports could be so blinded by their love of MMA and its champions, to actually believe that Muay Thai fighter would beat a world Champion Boxer on the feet at his own game which is what was said earlier. Also I never said Toney had an advantage in the clinch, just that I would be suprised to see him get Franklined there. Little_Kang: can't believe the amount of fail coming out of andrew right now. Who let this moron into 5k? Andrew: The reason I believe Toney match's up well with A. Silva compared to other less talented fighters, is because Anderson's greastest strength is also Toney's the ability punch someone and not get punched. Anderson doesn't take people down and isn't known for being an incredible kicker which would be concivably be toney's biggest weakness. He would obviously have to prepare to escape the clinch if he found himself there but Anderson still has to get close enough to him to obtain the clinch. and Kang I was just giving you some shit, but it is sad when the best kickboxer in the world(according to the Grand Prix results) only throws very basic straight punches and kicks to beat much more talented fighters. I'd be mad to. IwishIwasMMA: Schilt = beast that is all.
HOW WILL THE NICK DIAZ VS. CARLOS CONDIT FIGHT END AT UFC 143
Diaz def. Condit via TKO/KO
Diaz def. Condit via submission
Diaz def. Condit via decision
Condit def. Diaz via TKO/KO
Condit def. Diaz via submission
Condit def. Diaz via decision
TAKE ANOTHER POLL!