We all know James is a P4P great fighter, but how does he do against other greats at heavyweight? Assuming this is Toney at his best and fittest at the weight. Who do you see him beating from HW history, who does he have trouble with, do you consider him a genuine HW contender who gives any big guy problems or someone who came along at the right time and looked better than he was at the weight?
I think he would do very well against the greats before the 70s. But after that it becomes more difficult
Yep against some of the greats way back, I think he doesn't do bad at all. Size would almost play a part in being an advantage for Toney back then. But when you pit him against the likes of Liston, Ali, Foreman, Frazier etc, then he's getting beat.
There is nothing in his resume, to suggest that he would be likely to do well against heavyweight greats, from any era.
I don't fancy Toney doing terribly well against any really good heavyweight. I think he already overachieved in what he did at that weight.
He looked great vs Holyfield, so I’m putting that as best heavyweight Toney. Problem is that Holyfield was so far gone at that point that it wouldn’t have taken much to look good against him. Bad style matchup for him to begin with as well. All in all, I think peak heavyweight Toney finds success against the big lumbering guys whom he could use his speed and masterful defense against, but I think he has a tough time with most others.
He held his own against Sam Peters so I was thinking he could have handled some of the "lost generation" of 80s guys like Smith who he outboxes or Tubbs who was a fellow cutie but also undisciplined. If we have peak Toney he could give a fat Tubbs a good go. If Tubbs is motivated then I see a rather fascinating match between two very skilled technicians. Not ATGs of course but those guys were quality fighters. I think Witherspoon of Holmes fight takes him. Greg Page depends on the day, like Tubbs, but could be either the most boring fight on record or an interesting chess match. I think he could beat Coetzee, Tate is maybe too big, Tucker maybe too big and athletic, same with Pinklon?
I don't I rate him anywhere at HW tbh. I think there's so many HWs historically that would run right through him at his absolute best condition at HW. I think lower level HWs he may look good against. Big slow ones, lest craft ones.........the smaller, quicker, HWs he would've been up against it . The guys who's names we know, and highly regard...............no. This is said with no disrespect: Toney is in my top 10 favorites of all time.
