Hearns vs Toney at MW

Toney would have beaten Hagler imho, so...

 

Marvin Hagler: 'James Toney is the best MW champ that came after me'

 

I can understand Hagler saying that. Toney is in many ways similar to Hagler.

 

I don't see physical advantages for Hearns. Toney's best win H2H was Jirov at cruiser. Leonard was at his very best at 147, one genius gameplan based win at 160. Toney and Leonard can't be compared physically.

 

My initial impulse is to pick Toney. The only thing that concerns me is that Toney can be vulnerable against speed. He doesn't do nearly as well countering guys with top notch hand & foot speed, and Hearns is up there with the best.

Knowing Heanrs though, he probably gives Toney those chances by getting in close at some point and making a war of things. Toney 60/40 in my mind.

 

People forget that Hearns was a masterboxer. He outboxed Benitez, Leonard and even the best lightheavyweight in Virgil Hill.

People also forget that Toney has not a Hagler or Iran Barkley style. Hearns height, reach advantage and his boxing skills would give Toney lost of trouble. Now, Toney has a chance to catch him because Hearns chin can be cracked. I say it is a 50/50 fight.

 

IMO Hearns is ALL wrong for Toney. Toney is too flatfooted to get inside. He'd be boxed outside to pieces.

 

Toney has a chance to catch him though especially in the later rounds. Either Hearns on points or Toney by KO.

 

Agreed.

 

100%

 

Oh, this is a good fight. I don't believe I've ever heard anyone mention this matchup before. At MW, I think Toney takes it by late TKO.

P4P, though, Hearns knocks him out.

 

No. Hearns would not be the bigger man against Toney.

 

Hopkins was, and it's not even a debate.

 

Doesn't make him the "bigger" man. Hearns was thin, which is how he could make Welterweight. Toney never would have made Welterweight.