BOXING: TONEY JUST CAN'T WEIGHT BOXER SET FOR `NEW BEGINNING'.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Assistant Sports Editor 

James Toney became an instant sensation with his shocking knockout of middleweight champion Michael Nunn in 1991. Three years later, he met Roy Jones, lost his super middleweight championship and never again fought for a major title.

He hardly disappeared. Toney has spent much of the ensuing eight years eating himself out of what otherwise might have been a remarkable career.

Finally, Toney, 34 on Aug. 24, seems to realize that time is running out. With a new promoter (Dan Goossen), new attitude and new body, he faces Jason Robinson on Sunday in Temecula with aspirations of challenging for Vassily Jirov's cruiserweight title.

``I'm better now than ever because I'm more mature,'' said Toney, a resident of Sherman Oaks. ``... I see this as a new beginning. I'm not old, I haven't taken any beatings, I've never been knocked out. I feel good. I'm excited.''

Toney always has been a talker, which means many observers will want to see him change his ways before they believe it.

However, he acknowledges this is his last chance to realize his potential and seems to be putting in the work it will take to succeed.

He whipped off his shirt during a media luncheon a month ago at a Sherman Oaks restaurant to reveal the physique of a fighter who truly wants to win. He said he weighed 198 pounds at the time, only eight more than the 190-pound cruiserweight limit.

``Right now, I'm thinking only of eating and drinking Jason Robinson,'' he said.

That Toney and Goossen have teamed up is appropriate: Both are starting anew.

Goossen, once the head of Ten Goose Boxing in Van Nuys, opened Goossen Tutor Promotions about five months ago in Sherman Oaks and is off to a quick start. He has a growing stable of capable fighters, a series of scheduled cards and television deal with Fox.

However, Goossen believes Toney could lift Goossen Tutor to another level - if he wins, of course.

Toney (64-4-2, with 41 knockouts) has won consistently in spite of his weight problems. His only losses have come to Jones, one of the greatest fighters ever; to the slick Montell Griffin (twice), and to relative unknown Drake Thadzi after draining himself trying to make the 175-pound limit.

In Goossen's eyes, Toney has the talent he had when he beat Nunn and was recognized as among the best fighters pound for pound into the mid-'90s. And now, Goossen believes, he finally understands that talent isn't enough.

``I think he kind of did what a lot of athletes do,'' Goossen said. ``He got to the top at a young age (22), made a lot of money and it's hard to keep your focus.

``... I've got to tell you, right now, I feel he's one of the biggest rising stars - kind of like reincarnated.''

That's what Toney wants to hear.

``I've been successful all through my career,'' he said. ``... The time is now for me to do what I got to do. You know what I'm saying? I'm not going to dwell in the past. It's the future. I want to leave my legacy behind as a great fighter.

``I plan on starting with Jason Robinson on (Sunday).''

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JAMES TONEY: Sherman Oaks resident with a 64-4-2 record entering his fight Sunday says he now is more mature than he ever has been.