James Toney

[X]

I thought Toney was a very very good fighter.

He was a throwback fighter insofar that he learned his trade, he had all the old pro tricks and I think he would have fitted in very well with the likes of Jack Dempsey, Joe Jeannette or Sam Langford travelling up and down the country fighting anyone in a bar for a few dollars. He was tough as nails, skilled, good chin, arrogant and (for a while) he was probably one of the standout performers of his era.

For me, he just falls short of true 'greatness' though. He wasn't recognised as a world champ for long enough and he lost some his big fights. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that he was lazy. He frequently turned up to fight in poor shape, his lifestyle meant that he wasnt the best he could be

Because of the above, I do think Calzaghe had the style to beat him, just as Roy Jones had his number. Toney's style would have been harder for hagler to deal with (Marvin liked to come forward, and he could get outboxed by a real slickster). It would be a good fight, but I think that Hagler always entered the ring in top shape, he was even tougher than Toney and I think he would have found a way to win.

Doesn;t stop James Toney being a very very good fighter though.

[Master]

Toney will take a year off to recover from his injury and go back fighting bums but wanting to fight the Kilts.