33 years ago

Date: 12th October 1991

Title: IBF World Middleweight Title

Promoter: Cedric Kushner

James Toney
( 27 - 0 - 1 )
Weight: 160¼ lbs

Francesco Dell'Aquila
( 31 - 1 - 2 )
Weight: 158¾ lbs

In a commanding display of his boxing prowess, James Toney retained his International Boxing Federation middleweight title with a decisive fourth-round TKO victory over Francesco Dell'Aquila. The fight at the picturesque Stade Louis II in Monaco showcased Toney's dominance in the middleweight division. 

He improved his impressive record to 28-0-1, marking his second successful title defence since dethroning Michael Nunn. Dell'Aquila, the reigning European middleweight champion, entered the ring with a commendable record but was overwhelmed by Toney's skill, experiencing his second career defeat by knockout and bringing his record to 31-2-2.

The victory over Dell'Aquila solidified Toney's reputation as a formidable middleweight champion and set the stage for a high-stakes showdown with WBA champion Mike McCallum, slated for December. This upcoming bout promised to be a significant test for Toney, allowing him to unify titles and further establish his legacy in the competitive middleweight division. 

With a knockout win in the glamorous setting of Monaco, Toney's victory was a statement of intent to the middleweight division.