More skilled: James Toney or Terrence Crawford?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by dmt, Apr 8, 2026.

  1. Dorrian_Grey

    Dorrian_Grey It came to me in a dream Full Member

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    Because it means Crawford has a really good understanding of how to leverage his weight, the importance of head control, how to use collar ties, and how to properly hook arms in the clinch.
     
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  2. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Crawford. Toney had average footwork.
     
  3. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    No, a guy can force his fight by ways other than workrate/stamina, mostly with footwork but also with angles, with dirty work, with clinches, et al. He can also defuse the other guy's tempo by a variety of measures.
     
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  4. McCallumsJab

    McCallumsJab Member Full Member

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    Footwork and angles are skills. Clinches and dirtywork are simply tactics though
     
  5. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    No, clinches and dirty work are their own skill set. There's a reason some people do it so much better than others. And it's not just raw strength.
     
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  6. McCallumsJab

    McCallumsJab Member Full Member

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    They're not really, I'm fighting a better boxer, I grab the back of his elbows, now he can't punch. I mean some people don't have that skill, but it's pretty basic spoiling.

    As for dirty work, I personally see it as scummy. I mean leading with your head, hitting low, hitting hips, rabbit punching. There's nothing skillful there IMO. IS spitting your gumshield out a skill too. How about injecting testosterone into your butt?
     
  7. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Toney is considerably higher skilled IMO
     
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  8. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    You're ALL wrong because you NEED to open your MINDS. You need to open your MINDS!
     
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  9. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Toney is more skilled, Crawford is more reliable vs a diversity of styles.
     
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  10. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    I can agree with this though i do think Toney faced a much broader range of styles than Crawford did. Crawford is more reliable for sure.
     
  11. Loudon

    Loudon Loyal Member Full Member

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    Terence is a great fighter.

    But he is completely untested against the calibre of opposition that James fought.
     
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  12. Loudon

    Loudon Loyal Member Full Member

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    The Tiberi fight was a routine defence that he had zero motivation for, as he'd just fought McCallum less than 2 months prior.
     
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  13. Loudon

    Loudon Loyal Member Full Member

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    James had no business being at HW.

    He went there because of his ill discipline.
     
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  14. Loudon

    Loudon Loyal Member Full Member

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    He appears more capable, because he simply hasn't faced the level of opposition and the stylistic match ups that James faced.
     
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  15. Loudon

    Loudon Loyal Member Full Member

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    His schedule was ridiculous at the time.