Prime Ali, that's the one before the lay off, dances to a unanimous decision win. The older version, takes a few more shots and has to dig his feet in at times. But gets a decision win again.
This would be a very dull exhibition. Since Toney decided to bulk up when he was a heavyweight, he sacrificed his speed and mobility so he wouldn't be able to get to Ali. And Ali was too smart to go to James. They could be in the ring together for an hour and a half and never once throw punches at the same time.
Toney couldn't convincingly outbox the obese flat footed Peter and went life and death with the mediocre Rahman in 4 attempts but he's being matched with Ali? He doesn't have a punchers chance and doesn't have a prayer of winning a decision unless this is the lazy out of shape washed up Ali of the late 70's. Terrible matchup. The fight would at least be entertaining due to the incredible trash talk between them and Toney's inside fighting and countering would provide a few cool moments here and there.
I'm gonna take the bait and go out in a limb and pick Toney. Toney was a pretty technically sound HW. his style translates through to any weight class and any era (as does Clays) the big difference being that Toneys style allowed him to avoid sustaining much damage in fights, or even being hit cleanly at all.....contrasts with Clay's style, particularly after the first Frazier fight, where he was getting tagged on the regular. I always admired Clay's chin, but he let it get tested far too often in big fights. on the flipside, how many times did we ever see Toney getting dropped, or rocked, or cut? also consider this x factor: clay was used to playing the role of the bully in his fights. he was a disrespectful loud mouth punk who would get into his opponent's head before and during the fight, and most guys would let him get away with it. james toney is a different animal all together. he is a legitimate thug, from the wrong side of the tracks, and he would not find Clay's antics the least bit cute or amusing. no way clay would punk Toney. not at a press conference, not at the weigh in, and not in the fight. it would be chickens coming home to roost all day for Clay if he tried any of that crap with JT actually the more I think about it the more certain I am that Toney wins this fights, quite possibly even humiliates Clay in the process
I think that a peak Muhammad Ali, 1964-1967, would have moved for 15 rounds without ever resting on the ropes, used his quick left jab and right hand to score often in winning a unanimous decision over a flat footed James Toney. Ali back then had the stamina, reflexes, footwork and timing. Also he was always in better condition, weighing usually 212 lbs. As champion in his first title reign, he never hit the deck and was too fast for his adversaries, also he knew how to get into his opponents heads, psychological warfare. Toney cannot cope with speedy fighters like Ali. Muhammad Ali's challengers in his first title reign would have beaten a blubbery James Toney.
That you call him Clay, says more about your bias than your words. And Toney's a bigger thug than Liston? and Foreman? and Lyle? and Williams? Please.....
I think that Muhammad Ali would have messed with James Toney's head, Ali was not even fazed by Sonny Liston and George Foreman.
Toney had trouble catching slicker type middleweights et al yet he's going to add almost 70 pounds to his best fighting weight and upstage Clay, the slickest heavyweight of them all? While giving away 5 inches of height and 6 inches of reach? OK.
Well Ali did say Liston scared him and was the only guy to truly make him afraid, but after the 2nd fight...