Bonus question: what is the smallest guy(in terms of weight) you favor to stop a motivated toney. If your pick is a HW then we're talking about HW toney In the second scenario toney although trying to win, is allowed to go into "survival mode" if he feels too threatened.(I struggle to envision a JT genuinely scared for his well being but still)
Toney is so slick. I think I would pick a slow/steady guy who breaks his opponents down not a guy who just looks to land a big bomb. Toney's chin is good enough to take one big one from just about anyone without being counted out. Even if he gets dropped or hurt his survival skills are so good, it would have to be a guy to break him down to force a corner or referee stoppage
Bob Foster could knock out anyone at 175. Not saying he would, but he'd certainly have a chance. Michael Spinks had the power but would probably box Toney. If he gets far enough ahead and Toney has to come out of his shell to try to make up ground, he could run into a Spinks Jinx. Another, who would also have to be motivated (and he wasn't often enough) might be Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. Skilled enough and had pop. And while he didn't do it, RJJ could, especially at around 168. He knocked him down and I think, as much as I like Toney, Roy wins 10 times out of 10 against James. And maybe one of those he breaks through to stop him. At heavyweight, lots of guys in their prime could. Certainly Tyson or Foreman and I'd favor pre-layoff Ali to batter him. Frazier would be interesting for a while but the body shots would eventually take their toll. Long list there.
Toney is tough and slick as they come... One of the most natural fighters ever to step in a ring... Great chin, defense and survival skills, i just don't see anyone who can put his lights out.
No one knocks fat Toney out. He has good defense, can roll with punches, and has a granite chin. Even the biggest bangers can't knock everyone out and Toney is a perfect example.
I'm going Tyson right now at Heavy but below that it's long odds. Spinks wouldn't press enough. Foster would be an outside chance at 175 but i think people are forgetting Moore and Charles too. Tho it would be almost impossible to back anyone they would certainly be in the top tier at 175. Both had great power and were great great fighters to go with it.
The only guy I can think of is foster that has been mentioned. If he caught toney coming in its possible he hurts him, but even then toney would probably ride it out to the bell. Toney had such good defensive skills and a solid chin so to ko him? That s a hard pick.
Prime Tyson would kill fat HW Toney. So would prime George Foreman. At Cruiserweight, it is possible Holyfield could do it.
I don't think he'd stop Toney. He would be better off using movement or he might end up like he did against Braxton. He could outwork Toney at 175 but if he falls for Toney's traps and tries to pummel him on the ropes, he'd get countered all night.
