Who was the better fighter: James Toney or Floyd Mayweather

Yes, but still wouldn't describe Toney as a particularly powerful puncher at any weight.

He's on the same level, pound-for-pound in that department, as Mayweather but it becomes a skewed comparison because he's a far bigger guy and taking a lot more steroids, and fighting his style.

 

Well, don't let me take more of your time, then.

I understand why you think Toney is better in the pocket and respect that opinion since James was a monster in there and it is what he did best. Floyd on the other hand liked much more to move and isn't typically thought of as an infighter, so many will no doubt agree with you.

But I don't think you put up anything close to a compelling argument. Doesn't mean your opinion is wrong, but the way you argued it was flawed.

 

What specifically makes you say toney had more "skills"? What exactly do you mean when you say that?

I agree toney was usually the better aggressor/volume puncher and could fight on the inside better than floyd with the rough stuff pivoting, throwing body shots and sneaky uppercuts, etc. But "overall"...?

-If were comparing their pure defensive skills, no one touches floyd in that area except perhaps sweet pea. Nobody tagged floyd flush that often and even when they did, he often pulled back at the last second because he saw it coming, smothered he punch, rolled with it, etc. Obviously toney is no stranger to these skills but he has take waaay more punishment than floyd.

-floyd is more evasive. He makes people miss by several inches or feet despite often being he smaller man in the ring. He had that snake like sway and pull back. He also had better/faster footwork.

-floyds right hand lead is one of the best of all time, it stopped powerful sluggers like maidana and canelo dead in their tracks. Very accurate, crisp, strong, and able to rack up points.

-floyd is no slouch in counter punching. Toney was a marvel but it isnt like hes leagues above floyd in this area, its just that floyd doesnt fo for risky counters as much as toney does.

-ring generalship/winning rounds/sticking to a gameplan, floyd is top 20 of all time in this area and i dont care what anyone says. Toney, not so much. Great ring iq, but floyd is a notch above. Floyd always remains calm, rarely getting into slug fests, falling for baits, etc.

So how exactly is toney more "skilled" overall? In one specific category he might be but not in general in my opinion.

 

Beat Jirov, won a HW title..

 

I just don't see how you come up with this " all time crap" with Floyd. If anything, he had some of the most "brittle hands of all time" .. If anything you should be talking about his incredible defense and blocking ability..And all this massive power you say he has? And all this all time great ring experience he has with 49 fights?? How can you possibly even compare that to the ATG's with 100+ or 150+ fights or 175 + fights ... I mean it's basic math. And do you think FM was even built to have 150+ fights with those brittle hands with the tough guys from the 30's - 50's?? He gets thrown up against the ropes and mauled !! And to think of him against the fab 4?? It is almost laughable to me to imagine him against "The Motor City Cobra's" jab and power!!

 

You are replying to points i never actually made. I never said floyd jad all time great punching power, i said his defense and ring generalship were atg.

What i said was floyd right hand lead was one of the most effective tools in the sport, like holmes jab or tysons uppercut. Fact. Nobody just walked through floyds punches like they were nothing, he hits hard enough to get all of his opponents respect.

Never said he had atg experience either. In fact if u actually read my post i said toneys resume has the advantage of having more depth against a wider variety of talent.

Try to actually respond to what i wrote, i dont think my post was particularly complicated or confusing.

 

Im still waiting for specific examples of what u mean by "skill". What specifically does toney do better than floyd? What skills does he possess that floyd doesnt?

Footwork is a skill btw.

 

I did read your post and responded ... And I'm quoting your here. And I'm not talking about Toney because neither are you with these comments and that's why I am asking you with questions???And was referring to your "all time" references that you make regarding Floyd. As if you are only talking boxing from '96 to present. So actually it seems more confusing to you than it does to me.. Because when you say "all time" it does include ATG's..That is why I referenced boxing pre '96. I asked you questions and you didn't want to respond??

 

I'd also add Floyd's jab to the body. It was not just a set-up and point scorer but actually a damaging punch. He revolutionized the use of it.

 

I think too much is made of Toney's lack of dedication. Sure, there were fights where he was in poor shape in a way that Floyd never was, but even when shape wasn't a factor he struggled with fighters like Johnson and old McCallum. And I'm not convinced by the whole drained-excuse against Jones. He looked aces against Williams, but then all of a sudden he wouldn't prepare well for a fighter of Jones's quality? I'm doubtful of that one.