Thread: Hearns vs Toney @ 160

Just curious as who you would pick in this matchup. Their common opponent Blade Barkeley got me thinking about this match up. I know the what ifs get overdone but I think this could have been an interesting one

That is one hell of a fight.

My first reaction is Hearns can't hurt Toney while Tony probably can hurt Hearns. But then again if Hearns can make Benitez become the aggressor and is a good enought boxer to beat Radar? Can't he do the same to Toney?

Man there's a bunch of ways to see this one. Must ponder.

In my opinion Toney was not the fighter at 160 that he became at 168, 175. But he was still really good. He beat McCallum, and I think Mike would've beaten Hearns.
Tommy's big weapon was always the right hand, and that plays right into Toney's (right) hands. About that time, Hearns was working a pretty good left hook to the body into his game plan but I don't think he would throw that much against Toney. Hearns couldn't fight a lick inside and hooking the body would bring him and Toney real close real fast.
Hearns wasn't too durable. Toney would stop him in 8-9 (remember, DeWitt hurt Hearns to the body, and Olijiade-spelling?- was on his last legs and seriously hurt Tommy with a hook).

Iron chinned Toney vs Ice or be iced Hearns
Toney tooks shots from heavyweights and hurled back some, I think in their primes I'd go with Toney by a stoppage

Hearns could fight smart as he did with Benitez and use his height and reach. He would do that and out box Toney who was foxy with aggressive fighter. James was a joy to watch.

Id go for Tommy by ud.

but a Toney Ko isnt out of the question.

Originally Posted by greynotsoold

In my opinion Toney was not the fighter at 160 that he became at 168, 175. But he was still really good. He beat McCallum, and I think Mike would've beaten Hearns.
Tommy's big weapon was always the right hand, and that plays right into Toney's (right) hands. About that time, Hearns was working a pretty good left hook to the body into his game plan but I don't think he would throw that much against Toney. Hearns couldn't fight a lick inside and hooking the body would bring him and Toney real close real fast.
Hearns wasn't too durable. Toney would stop him in 8-9 (remember, DeWitt hurt Hearns to the body, and Olijiade-spelling?- was on his last legs and seriously hurt Tommy with a hook).

I dunno about the bold. At 160 he beat the Bodysnatcher, Merqui Sosa, Reggie Johnson and Michael Nunn. That's pretty freaking impressive.

I lean to Toney with it going to inside game and balance & control. Toney frankly dogged it in some matches...timed rounds and could coast leaving him there to be out hustled but man, he was a master at rolling with long shots and feeding sneak shots. More pressure puts a rockable Hearns inside down the stretch, I think Toney can take what he has worse case but Hearns will have a far worse time dealing with sharp counters, how James could use upper body as a mass feint and just Toney in top form really.

Excellent fight !

Have to agree with consensus here that Toney would be too durable and clever for Hearns, and counter that right hand with his own right hand all night until he knocked Hearns out.

James Toney may be embarassing himself now, but he was a magnificent boxer and counter puncher with a legendary chin.

LOVE a hypothetical matchup.

Very good one here indeed. Shame what has happened to Toney really he was sooooo good and slick at 160... he is remembered too much for his blob appearences at Heavy tho which is a real shame.

hmmmm... Hearns was one of my faves of all time but I am not sure if I can see him getting through to a young sharp slick Toney.

Toney decision.

(Heart): Hearns by humbling and devastating KO.
(Brain): Toney by decision.

Good answers, actually quite refreshing to see that people remember how good Toney was. I think it could go either way however the one scenario I don't see taking place is Hearns knocking Toney out. So Hearns would have to box and move otherwise James gets him

Good post, and two great fighters who both fought too long (so people remember them in their fading years)


Prime Toney was a tough SOB, old school skills, economical style and a good chin.


Prime Hearns was a freak of nature, a punch that travelled all the way to cruiserweight and boxing skills that allowed him to outbox Leonard twice and benitez.


It would be 12 (or 15) fabtiastic and tense rounds. Either guy could stop the other but - for me anyway - Tommy is that bit quicker on the trigger and would land first.

Tommy's only way to win this fight is by decision, as there's no way he'd KO the titanium chinned Toney.

Tommy loved the knockout & I believe he would be goaded into a slugfest by the unpleasant Toney & that would be his downfall, meaning James would probably stop him lateish.

Hearns could stop most people if he hit them right, Toney would be too elusive with his chin but Herans could still crack him all over.