James Toney -Hows He Do Against The Big 4?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Apr 15, 2026.

  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Obviously at middle and supermiddle, against
    Leonard?
    Hagler?
    Hearns?
    Duran?
     
  2. McCallumsJab

    McCallumsJab Member Full Member

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    He'd beat Duran handidly. He'd have a close fight against Hagler he likely doesn't do enough in and loses a close decision. Probably the same against Leonard. Against Hearns he'd either lose a competitive decision or stop Hearns late.
     
  3. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Leonard is of course stylistically wrong for him, but SRL was neither in his prime or at his best weight at 160, so the question is if he toughs it out or if Toney takes over. Similar question regarding Hearns really - he could well get caught like Nunn.

    Vs Hagler... who knows, but fantastic match-ups all three. But Toney is just too much for 160 lbs Duran. Not only bigger, but also faster than Duran at that age.
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2026
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  4. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Destroys Duran and definitely has a big chance of turning fight with Hearns into the Nunn fight.

    I’m not really buying that Leonard outclasses him because he wasn’t that good at 160. I’d make Leonard a slight favorite.

    Beats the crap out of Duran.

    Probably loses to Hagler.

    Of course, he’d underperform or be out of shape somewhere along the way.
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2026
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  5. THE BLADE 2

    THE BLADE 2 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Toney only became a complete fighter at 168.

    At 160: Toney wins a competitive decision against Duran. Toney loses a very close decision against Hagler. Toney-Hearns and Toney- Leonard are pretty much 50-50 fights.
     
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  6. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    I think he beats them all barring Hagler.
     
  7. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    3-1 at worst.
     
  8. Dave's Top Ten

    Dave's Top Ten Active Member Full Member

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    At 160:
    vs 1983 Hagler - competitive early, Hagler takes over. Wide decision for Hagler - workrate, southpaw jab, stamina
    vs the Duran that fought Hagler - this is close, Duran boxes smart, but I'll say Toney decision.
    vs the Hearns who fought Hagler - Hearns decision, but a stoppage by either is possible
    vs the Leonard who fought Hagler - Toney close decision. Leonard style all wrong for counterpunching Toney, but he pulls it out.
     
  9. SwarmingSlugger

    SwarmingSlugger Active Member Full Member

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    On what planet is he beating up Duran, when Hagler and Barkley couldn't do it? What a joke.
     
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  10. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Did you ever watch Toney fight Barkley?
     
  11. Dave's Top Ten

    Dave's Top Ten Active Member Full Member

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    You are comparing Barkely with Duran??
     
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  12. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Duran beat Barkely by like a point. Find someone else to worship.
     
  13. Dave's Top Ten

    Dave's Top Ten Active Member Full Member

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    In 1989.
    For this matchup you need to take the best version at MW. That would be 6 year earlier, when he boxed Hagler. Also, I don't worship Duran, although I recognize him as one of the GOATs.
     
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  14. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Was that before or after he lost to Laing?
     
  15. Showstopper97

    Showstopper97 The Icon Full Member

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    Beats Duran via Comfortable UD. Beats Hearns via Late Stoppage (behind on points). Loses to Leonard via SD. Loses to Hagler via Competitive UD or MD.
     
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