If Toney is in shape he does not get outhustled. Look at how many punches he threw against Mc Callum or Nunn or Reggie Johnson
I think Toney beats him , he is the more skilled fighter. The reality is Hopkins never wanted any part of Toney. He ducked Toney in 2003
He didn't duck him in 2003 at all. Hopkins was fighting at 160 and Toney at 190. The fight almost came off but Hopkins lost interest when the purses were going to be reduced. Late 2003 Toney was fighting at 217 pounds. It's amazing Hopkins even came this close to fighting him considering the huge weight difference. He must have thought he could beat him. I'll take Hopkins at 160 anyday. Toney was inconsistent. Even at 175 i'd lean toward the Hopkins that beat Tarver and he was ancient by that stage.
Yeah, but he was behind against Nunn, just edged Johnson and got a bit of a gift against McCallum in the rematch imo. It's not a reach to say that Hopkins could box and outwork him.
Hopkins was looking for a a way out when he realized Toney was for real. It all seemed like a publicity stunt by Hopkins. It is funny you bring up the weight disparity, cause both started at 160 pounds. Toney even went to heavyweight, fighting Holyfield weighed 30 pounds more than he weighed against Jirov. Inconsistency is not the issue here. We are talking inshape Toney. Hopkins would lose there. Hopkins would win against any other version of Toney but that is not the issue
I do not think he got a gift against Mc Callum. In fact Mc Callum was giving a gift in their first fight with the draw.Toney definitely won against Johnson and wore down Nunn.
I can see how you can score the first one for Toney, but not the second. That was Mike's. Have seen it many times and just can't see how they found a majority of rds for Toney. Or even a draw (like one judge did). Toney was never at his best against boxers and Hopkins could box, and keep up a high pace. I can't pick a clear winner between him and Toney, but I can see why you'd like Hopkins.
I agree with you that Mc Callum did better in the 2nd fight by avoiding Toney's big shots. I still scored it for Toney by a point though (admitting that Mc Callum had an unjustified point deduction). My point is that you can't outhustle an inshape Toney cause he is very busy himself.Agreed that it would be a close fight similar to Toney-Mc Callum
Simply trying to outwork Toney won't work if he's in shape. Williams and Jirov found that out. But keeping a high pace while giving him movement and angles is another. Not saying it was easy, but is probably the style he was most susceptical to, I'd say.
Hagler was open to right hands, even Minter hurt him with a right hand because he could catch him flush with it, Hopkins was a master at landing the right hand and Hagler couldn`t cut the ring off him either, Hopkins knew more about footwork than Hagler.
By the end of 1991, Roy was ranked #5 by Ring. I also have all The Ring issues from 1991. Edit: Just found my March 1992 Ring issue with Mercer pulverizing Morrison's face on the cover. The RIng ratings for Middlewight for period ended November 20, 1991... 1 - Mike McCallum 2 - James Toney 3 - Julian Jackson 4 - Sumbu Kalambay 5 - Steve Collins 6 - Nigel Benn 7 - Reggie Johnson 8 - Roy Jones 9 - Lamar Parks 10 - Segundo Mercado