James Toney as a heavyweight

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by heizenberg, Apr 16, 2015.


  1. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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    Not long after he became MW champ, early 90s, Toney said he would be HW champ by 2004
    In my opinion he got to big. At 215 he was still fast and skillful.
     
  2. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    It was ultimately his work ethic that let him down.

    He was capable of beating Rahman and Peter, but he dropped the ball at the crucial moments.
     
  3. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

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    agree with this. and his size was always gonna be an issue...made himself big enough to be in the weight class but not big enough to do any damage.

    he also couldn't give much of a **** other than peter 1 and holyfield
     
  4. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    The Fres decision was a travesty.

    And I thought Peter took both fights.

    Would have been interesting to see what he could have done at 210-215, in shape and non-roided.

    Oh, and by the way, suspecting that most of the heavies out there are juiced is not the same as testing dirty.
     
  5. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    I guess he would have edged the Rahmans and Peters, but sooner or later he would have ran into a Klitschko's jab.
     
  6. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

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    interesting about the first peter fight. i scored it for toney but it was certainly less one sided than the blowout sequel
     
  7. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He looked like the Michelan Man at heavy but his skills got him some decent wins. I actually thought Jones's win over Ruiz was more impressive than any of Toney's wins at heavyweight. I think he was best at Middle and Super Middle. Jones carried the weight well and didn't go over 190 lbs. Toney should have fought around 210 at the most but really ballooned up.
     
  8. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    I thought Peter took him both times.

    Toney wasn't exactly a mobile kind of fighter below the waist. I don't think the extra weight hurt too much for his basic skillset.
     
  9. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He may have achieved it illegally but Toney did ok at heavyweight for a blown up man way above his natural limit. His run was better than the one fight gimmick Roy did.
     
  10. Vince Voltage

    Vince Voltage Boxing Addict Full Member

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    In my opinion an impressive little run. The knockout of America's Sweetheart, Evander Holyfield, was dazzling. He did what Tyson couldn't do....and don't blame it on age. Beating Ruiz, Oquendo, Rahman...no easy feat at all.
     
  11. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Seriously, I really want a round by round scoring from anyone who thought he beat Oquendo.
     
  12. Bobthepen

    Bobthepen Active Member Full Member

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    I actually think we missed the best of Toney at heavyweight.

    Whatever condition Evander was in, Toney looked spectacular against him, and Holyfield pushed some of the also-rans at heavyweight close long after that fight.

    When he snapped his achilles tendon sparring for the McCline fight staright after Holyfield he ended 35 years old, a year out, and rumour has it 300lbs.

    He was still naturally gifted, but he never looked the same when he came back.
     
  13. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    These were all controversial decisions, but if Toney had been better conditioned he would have been more busy, and more active late in the rounds.

    That would probably have been enough to make the difference.
     
  14. dinovelvet

    dinovelvet Antifanboi Full Member

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    I thought he beat Peter first time.

    If he had trained better , he'd find himself back at Cruiser weight.

    His conditioning wasn't really a problem.

    He had better stamina and work rate than a 25 year old Sam Peter.
     
  15. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    I think that his conditioning was a problem.

    For example against Rahman he had the fight in the bag, then he faded down the line.