Heavyweight at Pasadena show!

The Southern California amateur boxers competing at the Villa Parke Boxing Show in Pasadena this past weekend had a familiar face handing out the championship trophies.

Former heavyweight champion James “Lights Out” Toney came out to support the kids and teens who fought in the annual show hosted by Villa Parke trainer Fausto De La Torre in association with USA Boxing and the City of Pasadena.

I ran into the infamous slugger as he spent the day cheering on the young talent. Toney also visited with some other familiar faces from the pro game, including Jerry “The Jewish Bomber” Rosenberg, Ronnie “The Dragon” Essett and cutman Tony Rivera.

Noticeably slimmer, the leaner and meaner pro boxer’s last match was a shutout against Damon Reed on February 24 at San Manuel Indian Casino. Entering the cage of mixed martial arts, the heavyweight boxer (76-6-3, 44 KOs) made his MMA debut in August of last year versus the legendary Randy Couture at UFC 118. His foray into the Octagon didn’t go as he planned; Toney was defeated via first-round submission.

But now he’s back for more.

“You’re fighting again soon, right?” I asked Toney, who will turn 43 this Wednesday, August 24. “You’re a lot skinnier now.”

“Yeah, I’ll be fighting again soon,” said the Los Angeles-based boxer. “I’ve been training hard–and I have lost weight!”

The thinner fighter is scheduled to face one more famed MMA warrior in Ken Shamrock. The duo recently appeared at the new International Fight Center in Van Nuys to announce their upcoming battle scheduled later this fall. Hoping to even the score on a more level playing field, reports have come in regarding new “modified” rules for their future clash.

Toney and Shamrock will apparent fight in three minute rounds of eight rounds with take downs allowed, and in the event of takedowns only 30 seconds on the ground will be enforced.

I’m not convinced that this will answer the never-ending–and heated argument–over “Which is better: Boxing or MMA?” but fans could get an entertaining collision of some sort.

With James at the amateur show was one young warrior out of the IFC gym. As Maclovio Salas fought, Toney kept a watchful eye on the teen. Passionate about the sport, I noticed James pacing back and forth as the rounds continued. Mac went on to defeat Bryan Gonzalez from Burbank in their amateur scrap.

James’ own success in the ring as both an amateur champ and also a multiple world title holder spurs the boys and girls on to achieve their own dreams in the ring. Toney, a big supporter of amateur boxing, even holds an annual “Lights Out” Invitational Tournament for amateur fighters. This year’s event will take place August 26-28 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Back in his amateur days, the Detroit pug won many trophies and medals including Golden Gloves and Silver Gloves titles.

As the amateur bouts were winding down, Toney met with many of the youth offering them words of encouragement.

The hulkster may look mean and intimidating but the kids at this local show swarmed around the controversial fighter, not put off by his heavyweight swagger.

And in one funny exchange, “Lights Out” and a young amateur even took part in a mock face-off. The boy didn’t blink as he went toe-to-toe and nose-to-nose with the ex-champ, holding a steady and serious gaze for a couple minutes as you can see in the exclusive photo! The menacing sneer of James Toney was just for the cameras as the pair broke into laughter as soon as their photo op ended.

And the kids continued to gather around the bald and bearded boxer right up until the final bell rang.

Grimaces set aside, the controversial James “Lights Out” Toney only broke into big smiles as the amateurs surrounded him.

Photos by Michele Chong