James Toney vs Francesco Dell'Aquila

A first journey outside the United States brought James Toney one of the shortest and most decisive championship victories of his early career. The 23-year-old IBF middleweight champion dropped Francesco Dell’Aquila in the opening round and stopped him after only 43 seconds of the fourth at Stade Louis II in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Toney entered with 27 victories and one draw, having risen quickly from contender to champion during an exceptional 1991 campaign. He had knocked out the previously unbeaten Michael Nunn in the eleventh round on 10 May, recovering from a substantial deficit on the scorecards to take the IBF title. His first defence, against Reggie Johnson seven weeks later, had been more difficult. Toney was knocked down, suffered a serious cut requiring 33 stitches and retained the championship by split decision. After several months of recovery, he arrived in Monaco for his second defence.

Dell’Aquila brought a record of 31 wins, one defeat and two draws. The Italian was an experienced and respectable challenger rather than an unknown import. He had held the European middleweight championship before losing it to Sumbu Kalambay by a ninth-round stoppage in January 1990, his only previous defeat. Against Toney, however, he was meeting a younger champion with quicker hands, superior timing and a particular aptitude for counter-punching at close quarters.

The difference became apparent during the opening round. Dell’Aquila attempted to establish himself with straight punches, but Toney remained relaxed behind his compact guard, moving his head and shoulders sufficiently to make the challenger miss without surrendering punching position. When the opportunity appeared, the champion swept over a left hook which put Dell’Aquila on the floor. The Italian rose and continued, but Toney pursued him with further left hooks and controlled the remainder of the round.

Dell’Aquila showed determination through the second and third sessions, though he could not alter the direction of the contest. He tried to work behind his jab and keep Toney at a safer distance, but the champion slipped the incoming punches and answered with shorter, heavier blows. Toney was comfortable whether advancing or allowing Dell’Aquila to lead. His right hand brought the challenger’s guard across, after which the left hook repeatedly found room around it. Dell’Aquila remained upright, but his movements became more cautious and he was increasingly occupied with defence.

Toney began the fourth round with no intention of extending matters. He closed the distance immediately and drove Dell’Aquila backwards with a succession of hooks. The challenger was unable to answer effectively and was taking clean punches as referee Frank Cappuccino moved between them. The stoppage came at 43 seconds, with Dell’Aquila still standing but no longer defending himself adequately. There was no protest of consequence, for the Italian had been dropped early, outpunched thereafter and was under sustained attack when Cappuccino intervened.

The victory improved Toney’s record to 28 wins and one draw, with 20 knockouts, while Dell’Aquila fell to 31-2-2. It was a concise demonstration of the champion’s economy. Toney did not depend upon constant movement or a high volume of punches. He made small defensive adjustments, remained within countering range and struck when his opponent’s balance or guard was disturbed. Two months later he met Mike McCallum in Atlantic City, retaining the IBF championship after a closely fought draw. The Monaco defence had offered far less resistance, but it showed clearly why Toney had become middleweight champion and why more demanding opposition was already being arranged.

I’ve always thought James Toney was at his best when a man came looking for him. Francesco Dell’Aquila was a former European champion with only one defeat, so he was entitled to his opportunity, but stylistically he was made for Toney. He came forward upright, offered openings and lacked the speed required to escape after punching.

Toney had already knocked out Michael Nunn and survived a hard defence against Reggie Johnson, where he was dropped and badly cut. In Monaco, he looked sharper and far more settled. He put Dell’Aquila down with a sweeping left hook in the first round, then stood close enough to invite attacks while slipping them by inches. That was Toney’s trade, making a man miss without moving out of range, then returning shorter, harder punches.

By the fourth, Dell’Aquila was being taken apart. Toney drove him backwards with hooks until referee Frank Cappuccino stopped it after 43 seconds. I wouldn’t call Dell’Aquila poor, but he was completely out of his depth against this version of Toney. The champion’s balance, judgement of distance and counter-punching were operating at another level. This was less a competitive title defence than a technical demonstration.