Which fighter was greater?

Close call. Benitez had a higher ceiling but burned out quickly. Toney had the longevity.

Wilfred Benitez wins: Kid Pambele, Carlos Palomino, Bruce Curry (x2), Maurice Hope, Roberto Duran

James Toney wins: Michael Nunn, Reggie Johnson, Mike McCallum (x2), Iran Barkley, Vasily Jirov, Evander Holyfield

 

Wafer thin but it has to be Benitez

 

I’d say Benitez.

 

This, and he fought his wins to me were more iconic and his youngest title win and Duran also and Cervantes, and he fought Hearns and Leonard when they were good.. Hearns was not yet prime, but at his prime weight.

 

Wilfredo Benitez was greater. He beat Cervantes and Palomino to win titles at a young age. Was able to win the title at Jr.Middleweight and school a Duran who was in great shape.

 

Benitez faced 2 PRIME atg's and came up short. But those
two performances are better than Toney's victories over a
past prime M.Mccallum x2, a deep in the valley past it Holyfield
two fighters he matched up well against in Jirov and Barkley
and his win over Nunn which he was losing unanimously until
he landed a desperation punch.
Motivated Benitez wins over Cervantes , Palomino and Duran
are better than any of Toney's wins.
Benitez was much more naturally gifted, Toney though as he
demonstrated probably worked harder in the gym at least at
some point of his career because his skill level were top notch.
Toney knew how to fight. He had the perfect style to have
a long career and go up in weight successfully with his economical punching,
and well timed counters .
Benitez the more naturally gifted fighter is only a tad bit better than Toney
in my opinion.
But I wouldn't argue with anyone who see it a different way based on Toney's
longevity and ability to fight successfully all the way up to heavyweight.
But Toney's lack of motivation in being at top physical condition
and seeming to coast a lot of times in the ring is the main reason I
lean to Benitez.

 

Duran wasn't fat. He had trained well for Benitez. Cervantes was a great fighter. Palomino 7lbs north was certainly above average and brought pressure, infighting and body punching as Stracey found out.

 

You only stated your opinion. Mine is a little different. This isn't a court of law, only different points of view. If the case is closed as you say it's only because your ego won't allow you to see that different point of view . Your answers are the only one that matter to you( which is ok) but why be on the site if you have all the answers? Calling Duran fat the night he fought Benitez is complete nonsense, and indicates more about your one sided view and only to enhance your argument. Benitez had a better showing against Leonard and Hearns than Toney had against Jones Jr. The only prime ATG he faced. So who had the bigger issue with speed?
But as I wrote in my previous post I wouldn't have an issue with anyone who thought Toney was better.

 

I'd pick Toney, Benitez was great, but Toney had much more longevity.

 

Of course he wasn't what he was at welterweight and light. But that version was damn good.
Some seem to forget a couple fights after the loss to Benitez Duran would go on to finish off Cuevas and absolutely ruin young up and comer Moore, who was a big favorite to beat him. After those two fights he would be the only fighter to extend a prime Hagler.
Hagler had to really bring it the last few rds of their fight to get a win over Duran. So was he really that far over the hill as some suggest, or was Benitez better than some like to give credit?
To me, it's the same old Duran "wasn't "Excuses made whenever he lost in his prime or close to it.
You know the ones, wasn't feeling well. ( Leonard) wasn't ready to fight because he was out partying ( Hearns and Benitez) Wasn't taking him seriously ( DeJesus and Laing) wasn't big enough for Hagler( which is true in my opinion)
Benitez doesn't get the credit deserved for that victory. He beat Duran more convincingly than Hagler or Leonard in their 2nd fight.
And Duran definitely wasn't as past it as badly as Holyfield the night he faced Toney. May not have been as past it as the versions of McCallum he faced.