VINTAGE: Toney vs. McClellan sparring- circa 1990.

[mikeeod]

This was a great session and I always love watching this on YouTube. James was the better fighter, especially on the inside. G-Man could punch and was a very violent man who went for the ko over just winning.

Toney, when in shape, was the type of fighter who gradually took a fight over because he was so clever and slick that the other guy would become hesitant to throw for fear of eating big counters or becoming exhausted. James also had a couple of weaknesses though: 1) he had slow feet and could be frustrated with lots of movement and pitty pat punches similar to how Roy and Montell outpointed him. 2) James had a tendency to be lazy, both during training and during a fight and could therefore be out hustled by less skilled fighters like Drake Thadzi, Dave Tiberi and Montell.

James was at his best against an aggressive power puncher as evidenced in his fights vs Evander, Barkely, Jirov and Prince Charles Williams to name a few. For those reasons I think that G-Man would always do well initially against James and inevitably end up losing in the end. Both were great fighters and two of my favorites from that era though.

[ykdadamaja]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rds2-iNML00

[Beanflicker]

James will go down as one of the most underrated guys in the sport. When he was in his prime, when he was in shape, his ability was off the charts. He could do everything in the ring, fight from any distance, he was an incredible tactician. And he wasn't even world champ at this point, and look how he moves.

Cool look back in history at two world class boxers, both under a year away from exploding on the scene and winning world titles.

[Master]

Toney had skills beyond his early years, he had the skills like a veteran Archie Moore when he was in his early 20's.

[ykdadamaja]

Toney learned what many fighters today just simply don't: Body Mechanics.

Sure, Floyd has superior technical skills- but Floyd's body mechanics pale in comparison to James Toney.

Ali had fantastic body mechanics.

Pernell Whitaker had excellent body mechanics.

Manny has "ok" body mechanics- Manny just has freakish speed and movement.

But Toney, mixed in with his punching power and technical skills- enhanced by his body mechanics- was a beauty to watch. Natural body mechanics.

[Master]

What is body mechanics?

[ykdadamaja]

What is body mechanics?

The ability to coordinate your entire body into your athletic endeavours. It's called body mechanics.... Mike Tyson touched on it early in his career when people kept asking him about his punching power. Mike said it was his body mechanics that helped him to deliver the punch from the ball of his back-foot and then through his body to his fist.

Body mechanics.

[SlimTrae]

First time watching, thanks!!