“When you first get hit, you see a big black spot. Then the pain hits you. After the fight I’m like ‘damn, do I really want to do this?'”
This ESPN clip is a few years old, but still worth watching for the info on head trauma, and the profile on James Toney. According to Toney’s doctor, Lights Out has the testosterone levels of a 60-70 year old man. From studies, this has been tied into the effects of repeated head blow on the pituitary gland, which releases most of our important hormones into the body. When it’s out of wack, it can lead to many problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, mood swings, strokes and depression.
When you hear Toney’s medical issues, it’s more frightening to realize these conditions were diagnosed six years ago around the time of his fight with John Ruiz. Since then he’s fought eight times, including two tough fights with hard-punching Samuel Peter. In those bouts he took many hard blows, including several behind the head.
Just another reminder of how brutal the fight game is. No one gets away unscathed, especially when you’re talking careers that span well over 10 years.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 
Wow thats pretty mad… Worrying in fact… I only fight if Im wearing A headguard, but I still get black spots and stars when I get hit sometimes… My club have asked Me few times to do some unlicensed fights, i said fck that, you dont wear headgurads on them nights… I aint fit enough to fight without headgear… I enjoy carded fights and sparing coz you get standing 8 counts if you take a big hit and you obviously have full headguard… All that truma to your head over 10 or more years is brutal…
With regards to the testosterone and other growth hormones thing, is there a certain amount or a minum A person should have??? If so does anyone think A fighter should Be allowed to take more to boost him up to the minum amount??? Hes wouldnt Be cheating then, He would Be trying to make it A level playing field surely???