James Toney

[TitoFan]

I HATE James Toney. But putting that aside, I think he'd lose against Hagler and probably Hopkins. Hagler was just a machine at middleweight, with an iron chin to go with it. Hopkins, on the other hand, was the ultimate crafty fighter, at his peak. He would always find a way to win, whether it be by mauling, fouling.... and he always had the right game plan, like admittedly against Trinidad. Calzaghe? I'm not sure on that one. Calzaghe was pretty busy, but not much of a puncher. The fight would probably be a bit of a bore, but I'm thinking Toney at his peak would've probably eked out a win by decision.

[FinitoElDinamita]

The inside fighting between toney and hagler would be mind boggling to watch. I say toney beats him.

I hate to say it but Calzaghe beats toney..




Toney beats the dog shit out of hopkins.

With that said, Toney is one of the very few boxers around today who can claim to be a throwback fighter. Toney is a natural fighter, a true throwback from the 40s and 50s. He would have kicked ass in any era.

[TitoFan]

No way Toney beats Marvelous Marvin. Hagler was in there with a lot of excellent fighters and always came out on top. He had few, if any weaknesses. And as for "throwback fighters"? Marvin was as old school as they come. I doubt Toney would've been able to withstand the flurry that Thomas Hearns unleashed on Hagler... and even Mugabi would've given Toney a run for his money, for that matter.

[Spicoli]

One of the best and most enjoyable things I've ever seen is that effortless inside shoulder roll by Toney that culminated with a shock absorber 6' inch right hand. It was not trained, it was like genetics with him. I love Toney at best, his guile and a swagger that left lesser foes in a fetal position just hoping to stay upright.

He was however and flat out...lazy. He was a master at timing out rounds, slow of foot though his positioning made up for alot of that but he simply could be out hustled and turned. If you sat in the pocket, shame on you but guys who didn't blink and had volume and mobility could bug the shit outta him. He is and was one of the deepest fight minds to come around but he doesn't get a pass on being 'drained at middle' etc etc for lapses. It became a mantra and speaks to the discipline I think he'd lack to beat a Hagler and or Hopkins. Toney already lost to Calzaghe but his name was Tiberi I kid I kid. Hopkins was as every bit an old school cagey gritty pro as a Toney, fact that he's still shot calling at top level speaks for itself.