by Jeffrey Escano // Staff Writer
Anyone who uses a quote like what’s in the title to distinguish themselves from others that participate in the same thing they do, in this instance being boxing, you know they take what they do VERY seriously. It’s more than a game to people who have fiery things like that to say regarding them against their competition.
Now enter the world of Jason Toney. For those of you reading this who are not aware of who this person is, he’s a senior that attends our own Carson High School and is an aspiring boxer who has some big plans for his future in the sport.
As a professional boxer, Jason plans to spend his days campaigning in the welterweight division of the sport, one that has a deep and very rich history in the sport. It’s one that’s produced all time great fighters like Sugar Ray Robinson and Julio Cesar Chavez (although he spent a lot of time in other weight classes as well) and modern greats that many people would recognize, like Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. In this great division of boxing, Jason is looking to be next in line and pick up right where these guys left off.
It sounds like a tall order doing great things in a place that’s produced so much greatness, but Jason Toney is not at all fazed by the challenge. He’s brimming with confidence as a matter of fact.
“I vision myself DOMINATING the welterweight division.” he simply and boldly has stated.
All the great fighters have one thing in common, a great mentality. A mentality of them being the best, and a mentality of enjoying what they do. And best believe, this up and comer’s got all that. Jason doesn’t fight looking for money and fame as much as he does just to beat his opponents up in the ring.
“I don’t box because of the sport, I box because when I beat someone up it builds up my self esteem and confidence….And I don’t care about the money or fame, that just comes along with it.”
Lastly, many great boxers start out as students of the game, having knowledge on all the great ones that came before them, and those who they aspire to be like when they come up. And despite planning to rule the welterweight division, Jason Toney’s biggest inspiration in boxing is a boxer who spent his days spreading fear into fighters in the heavyweight division of boxing. That boxer happens to be the great “Iron” Mike Tyson.
Reflecting on his favorite fighter and role model, Jason said “Mike Tyson! He was the baddest man on the planet. He didn’t care about who loved him and who didn’t. He got convicted of rape, stayed in prison for years, and still murdered whoever got put in front of him. They don’t make them like him no more. He was the last great heavyweight.”
Camron Butler, a fellow Carson High School senior and one of Jason’s friends, while not big on boxing himself, has seen his friend spar in the ring at his gym, and he likes what he’s seen from him.
“Ya, I seen him sparring one time, I liked how aggressive he was in the ring, chasing his opponent, using lots of head movement, and he was trying to knock out his opponent with every shot he threw at him. He was fast too. I think he’s gonna be a great fighter when he becomes pro, and I’m gonna have to watch more boxing now that I know how exciting it can be with guys like that fighting.”
Gerry Garcia, another friend of Jason, one who doesn’t go to Carson but happens to be a stable mate of his, meaning a fellow boxer coached by the same coach, has great things to say about our up and coming fighter.
“I love the ferocity, the rawness he brings with him every time he steps in the ring to spar against either people from our gym or people from different gyms. I haven’t sparred against him myself since he’s still a bit new while I’ve been here, but I feel that I will soon and I can’t wait for that.” is what Gerry said about Jason.
In the end only time will tell what happens and only God knows what the future holds. But with all the talent he possesses coupled with a vicious mindset and a vision of greatness, Jason Toney is name to watch out for in the boxing world in the years to follow, whether you’re a fan of boxing or not.
In his own words “They box to box, I box to kill.”
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