Usyk is gonna toy with anyone who is as slow footed as a CW James Toney. Toney will dismantle the brawlers, the punchers, and the come forward guys. He's barely going to land a glove on Usyk.
Usyk is not an ordinary cruiserweight, but there are 1 or 2 such boxers in the history of the cruiserweight category. Usyk wins.
The thread asks about prime Toney and fighting Usyk at cruiserweight. The problem is Toney's prime was at 168 or 175. Actually, it is hard to pin down his prime weight class wise but it definitely wasn't at cruiser.
Great fight at CW, USYK is alot better than Jirov so Toney would have to really work to win this fight. I give him a really good shot at beating Usyk, close to 50/50 imo.
1st, Toney despite his success was extremely post prime at CW. Usyk is not a better boxer than James Toney, what he is is a phenomenal, active boxer puncher. I just think he's way too big for Toney to beat. Toney can beat big guys that aren't as skillful, he can't beat guys his (Usyk's) size that are skillful, that tandem may be too much, Usyk is too responsible in the ring. I say this with no malice towards Toney, he's one of my 5 favorite fighters of all time.
Usyk being the naturally bigger guy and his movement makes me favour him However, we are talking about Toney here. If he brings his best?? 60/40 usyk
