Nobody would question the fact that James Toney is one of the best trash-talkers in the business.

Unfortunately in recent years it’s become increasingly difficult to actually hear what he’s saying, with even the UFC having to resort to putting up subtitles during his recent promos for his MMA debut against Randy Couture.

It’s hard to believe now, but as you’ll hear in a moment, there was a time when Toney sounded completely different. That was a time before he became overweight, smoked too many cigars, and took too many punches to the head over the course of a 22 year, 81 fight professional career.

The difference between then and now is painfully apparent, and raises serious doubts over this legendary boxer’s continued desire to compete at the highest level at the age of 42.

Check out three clips below of Toney between 1992-1994 during his heyday competing at middleweight and super-middleweight, leading up to his first loss against Roy Jones Jr.

Then listen to him earlier this year campaigning for a fight in the UFC after spending much of the last year in the boxing wilderness.

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1992:

1993:

1994:

2010: