Shane Carwin weighs in on James Toney in MMA
After stalking UFC president Dana White for several months, former boxing world champion James Toney is ready to try his hands in mixed martial arts, something a boxer of his caliber has thus far been reluctant to do at the highest levels of the sport.
He’ll get back in the squared circle for a warm-up, but has plans to make his Octagon debut sometime this summer.
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight contender Shane Carwin has his sights set on an interim heavyweight title if he can best former champion Frank Mir at UFC 111 in New Jersey next weekend, but he took time out with MMAWeekly.com recently to relay his thoughts on the brash boxer putting his dukes up in the cage.
“I think that’s great,“ Carwin told MMAWeekly Radio. “I think it’s some excitement. If people are talking about it then that’s good. I guess we’ll see how he does. It will be interesting who they match him up against.”
Carwin comes from an extensive wrestling background and is critical of a boxer’s chances in mixed martial arts. A wrestling background is a proven asset for successful fighters in MMA while the jury’s still out on how former elite boxers would perform inside the chain link fence.
“I think that boxing is typically harder (of a transition than wrestling) without having any ground game behind them. It’s tough to box somebody when you’re on your back,” said Carwin.
“It’s definitely harder for them to stop the takedown when they’re committing to their punches. MMA is a different game,” added the UFC heavyweight contender.
Toney’s MMA future will unfold in due time, but what Carwin likes most about the former boxing champion turned mixed martial artist is his gift of gab.
“I just like to hear him talk,” said Carwin.
