(Sports Network) - James Toney won in a questionable technical knockout over former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman Wednesday night, capping a rematch that stirred more controversy than the first time the fighters met. An accidental head-butt from Toney early in the third round caused a cut over the left eye of Rahman. At the end of the round, Rahman went to his corner and told the ring doctor he couldn't see due to the blood streaming into his eye.

Ring physician Dr. Paul Wallace gestured with his hands to referee Ray Corona, who put a halt to the bout. Rules of the fight indicate that if a bout is stopped before four rounds are complete due to an accidental butt, then it should be ruled a no-contest.

Rahman was clearly upset after the fight, saying he came to Toney's backyard and came away in a sense robbed. Toney, a native of Sherman Oaks who turns 40 next month, moved his record to 71-6-3 with 44 knockouts. This was his first fight since a one-year suspension for steroids.

The 35-year-old Rahman, who became the heavyweight champion by knocking out Lennox Lewis in 2001, fell to 45-7-2.

After the fight for the lesser-known NABO heavyweight title, Rahman's manager said they would file an appeal to the California State Athletic Commission to have the TKO overturned.

Toney previously faced the man dubbed "The Rock," then the WBC champion, in March of 2006 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The fight ended in a majority draw, but most felt Rahman did enough to win the fight via decision.



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