James Toney vs. Mike McCallum II, billed as Once Is Not Enough, was a professional boxing match contested on August 29, 1992, for the IBF middleweight title.
Background Toney and McCallum had previously met the previous December, fighting to a split draw.McCallum and Toney in Artful Draw, NY Times article, 1991-12-15 Retrieved on 2024-09-14 Given the indecisiveness of the decision, talks of a rematch happened immediately afterwards during the post-fight press conference with McCallum stating "I'd love to do it again, it wasn't nothing but fun".Toney and McCallum want more action after draw, UPI article, 1991-12-14 Retrieved on 2024-09-14 A rematch was not agreed to for the time being however, and Toney instead went on to make his next defense against Dave Tiberi in February 1992, being declared the winner by a highly disputed split decision despite Tiberi seemingly dominating the fight.Toney Wins by Decision But Gets a Real Workout, NY Times article, 1992-02-09 Retrieved on 2024-09-15 Toney would then make another successful defense against Glenn Wolfe in April on the undercard of the George Foreman–Alex Stewart fight, while McCallum would have one tune-up fight between his two fights against Toney, defeating journeyman Fermin Chirino by unanimous decision in May.For Stewart, a Loss That Comes With a Bonus, NY Times article, 1992-04-17 Retrieved on 2024-09-15, LA Times article, 1992-05-22 Retrieved on 2024-09-15 Following Toney winning a non-title tune-up against Ricky Stackhouse, the Toney–McCallum rematch was set to take place on August 29, 1992. Prior to the fight, Toney and his team, trying to get in the almost 36-year old McCallum's head, presented McCallum a rocking chair inscribed with "Happy Retirement, Mike" at a press conference and the two fighter nearly came to blows at another press conference after Toney suddenly jumped up from his chair and challenged McCallum.Toney and McCallum Aiming To Rule Out Another Draw, NY Times article, 1992-08-29 Retrieved on 2024-09-15
The fight Toney would win the fight by majority decision. For the second straight fight, one judge scored the fight even at 114–114, though the other two judges had Toney the winner with lopsided scores of 117–110. McCallum actually out-landed Toney by 100 punches, scoring 332 of his 849 thrown punches compared to Toney who landed 232 of 714 punches, though Toney was able to land the harder punches throughout the fight.Toney decisions McCallum in rematch, UPI article, 1992-08-29 Retrieved on 2024-09-14
Fight card Confirmed bouts: Weight Class Weight vs. Method Round NotesMiddleweight160 lbs.James Toney def.Mike McCallumMD12/12Lightweight135 lbs.Freddie Pendletonvs.Tracy SpannD2/12Super Welterweight154 lbs.Peter Venanciodef.Lonny BeasleyD10/10Featherweight126 lbs.Eddie Croftdef.Magdaleno MaldonadoUD6/6Super Welterweight154 lbs.Clayton Williamsdef.Rick DunnUD4/4
Broadcasting Country Broadcaster HBO
References