The 45 year-old, who lost on points to Jones in 1994, is itching to pen his side of the deal after both sides verbally agreed to the belated rematch in Moscow later this month after almost 20 years of waiting.
Agent Steve Tannenbaum has again updated WBN on the situation as it stands: “I am waiting for a word back from promoter Vlad Hrunov, but Team Toney are hoping for the go-ahead for this bout on December 21st,” he confirmed.
Toney himself has spoken out for the first time on the potential fight with Jones, 44, as the three-weight title holder eyes an unexpected revenge mission in just under two weeks time.
“I cannot believe this! The coward (a.k.a. Roy Jones Jr.) has finally decided to grow a pair of balls and fight me!” said Toney.
“I’ve been waiting almost 20 years for this! I’m signing my contract as soon as I get it, so Roy I hope you don’t punk out again and run away. Get ready Roy cause I’m going to f***in’ hurt you bad, I promise you!”
Long-time managet John ‘Pops’ Arthur also waded in: “I have been with James for almost two decades now and I’ve never seen him more motivated to fight anybody since he beat Evander Holyfield,”
“He’s really wanted this rematch with Roy Jones Jr for almost 20 years. Not to mention that he’s been determined to redeem himself for his last fight in Russia when he lost to Denis Lebedev due to a hairline fracture in his knee that he sustained in the first round.
“This was an injury in which most fighters would have quit but he fought the entire 12 gruesome rounds in immense pain. James really loves his fans in Russia and he would be very happy to be able to fight in front of them again.
“Fighting Roy in Russia is really the cherry on top,” added Arthur.
The ball is firmly in the court of Jones and his people right now as Toney awaits finalisation of the clash, which is set to take place at the Dinamo Palace of Sports in Krylatskoye.
Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay for tweets of upcoming news on WBN
