Andre Ward v. Eubank/Benn/Watson/Toney/RJJ

At his best at 168. And remember he already beat Mc Callum at 160 pounds who fought a tactical fight.I doubt Ward could have pulled this off.

 

I don't see Ward ever beating Toney. I'm a bit shocked at all the votes going Ward's way in this one.

 

I slightly favour Ward in this one, but do think its close.
Toney didnt fight great comp at 168 besides Jones and although Ward didnt beat any top prime SMWs, I slightly favour him to win a close decision in a bit of a mauling affair where he crowds Toney.
I dont think it would be pretty and think Ward would miss with alot but think he would tie up Toney enough to get a close decision.

 

I disagree. Toney was a more complete fighter at 168 than at 160 pounds. Toney had his career best performances against Barkely and Tim Littles at 168 pounds.

Also a mauling type fight is just James fight.There was no better on the inside than Toney.

 

As good as Ward is he isn't beating RJJ, way too fast, hit too hard, too elusive. I think Ward would lose a decision or be stopped late. His rough inside style would give RJJ problems but the price he'd have to pay to get inside would be too much and he's never been a volume puncher so I don't think he can throw enough to really pressure Jones Jr consistently enough.

Toney is one of the few fighters that would beat Ward on the inside, mauling style is hard to utilise against an opponent to always uses his shoulder as a barrier to prevent clinching. I think Ward is quick enough and slick enough on the outside to give Toney problems though. But Toney at his best with his counter punching and defense wins a close fight.

Eubank I think struggles with Ward. Eubank liked being the counter puncher and preferred aggressive fighters like Benn and Wharton. Eubank has a puncher chance and would give Ward some tough moments but they are few and far between, Ward wins a clear decision.

Benn's a tough one, he struggled against boxers, Ward could definitely win a decision, but at super middle Benn was more controlled and did beat GMan. Ward isn't a big hitter so would likely have to deal with the vicious Benn for 12 rounds. I could see Benn's speed and power turning the fight around at some point and him winning. But I say Ward has a few scares, takes some serious punishment and gets off the floor to win a hard earned decision.

 

Why would Ward engage in a mauling affair with Toney? I could see him using his superior speed to stick & move his way to victory in this one. I think he would be smart enough not to try to beat Toney on the inside and versatile enough to have other options.

 

Great breakdowns! :thumbsup

 

I agree with all of your picks. Just for the Benn-Ward, I still agree with your winner pick, just that Ward would probably not have that much trouble in my opinion.

 

At 168 pounds, Toney had better handspeed than Ward. And he actually was better at throwing combinations too.

 

Ward comfortably beats Eubank, Benn & Watson, all 3 of whom I consider to be a level below RJJ & Toney (& McCallum for that matter).

Ward would expose Eubank's weakness in going forward, I think hew would outbox & out-manoeuvre the slightly one-paced Watson & would counterpunch Benn to a standstill.

I see 118-110 type decisions inj all 3 fights.

I think Jones' uniqueness leads him to a decision over Ward.

Ward-Toney is the most difficult one to pick for me, I slightly lean toward Ward...I think mrkoolkevin's assessment of this fight is pretty close to how it would pan out.

 

Cement feet.



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No need man.Terrific defense, head movement .Made you miss and made you pay, while standing in one spot.

 

And he did very well with his skill set against (most of his) lesser opponents. Seems very hard to pull off against someone with Ward's smarts, versatility, skills, and physical talent though.

 

He already beat Mc Callum twice at 160. toney was a better fighter at 168 pounds.It would be close, but I believe Toney would win.

 

There are very few who could hang in there with Toney in terms of hand speed. Some of those combos he threw at barkley were just shockingly fast. Though Ward is a bit faster foot James could track a guy down as well like he did against the taller mike nunn.l