Rahman: Loss to Toney 'bogus'

Boxing

The bout, scheduled for 12 rounds, appeared to be either man's to win in the first two rounds. But early in the third, Toney (71-6-3), while rolling to avoid a punch, accidentally head butted Rahman, opening a large wound above his left eyebrow. As blood flowed, Rahman had trouble seeing and was hit by several rights by Toney.

At the end of the round, Wallace asked Rahman three times how he felt as Kauffman attempted to stop the bleeding. Each time, Rahman said he couldn't see. Wallace, Kauffman said, then indicated to Corona that the fight should be stopped.

"Not once did Rock say he was quitting or wanted to quit the fight," Kauffman said.

With the victory, Toney, 39, won the vacant North American Boxing Organization heavyweight title. He showed little compassion for Rahman's bad luck.

"It was a head butt," Toney said. "But he was looking for any way out. It's disappointing to win that way. I wanted to knock him out in seven rounds."

Hearing those words after the fight, Rahman was incredulous.

"I had everything to lose," he said. "I wasn't going to quit. I never quit."

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