I've been thinking about this fight and I think Dawson beats James Toney in his prime. The two southpaws that Toney beat, Michael Nunn and Reggie Johnson, Dawson is a better than both those boxers. Toney likes it when boxers come forward so Toney can counter his opponent, but Dawson has such a heigh reach advantage, not to mention blazing handspeed that it would be hard for Toney to counter Dawson. Also Toney isn't really an aggressor, he's only aggresive in spots, which would favor Dawson. I see Dawson throwing fast combinations befuttling Toney, who isn't able to counter, and winning wide UD.
I don't like the style matchup for Toney. Even when Toney was younger and had quicker feet, he still preferred guys to come at him where he could counter effectively, especially laying on the ropes where he could torture guys up close, slip and roll with the incoming, etc.. Dawson is an extremely fast southpaw who is light on his feet, and mix in combos both upstairs and downstairs. Toney will land his share of good shots. What people forget about the RJJ fight is that in between getting overwhelmed with the speed of Jones, Toney did land some nice counters here and there. RJJ took them well, and won just about every round. Needless to say, Dawson is no RJJ. Toney will tag him more, Dawson is no defensive genius. Still, as I said before, I think it's a tough style matchup for Toney and Dawson will spend much of the fight moving and perhaps making it ugly and dull and win a close decision. Toney's best weight was 168. Dawson fought there and is now at 175. I'm guessing this fight is either at 175 or maybe a catchweight between 168 and 175 (Toney can eat a little more now).
At this weight i have to go with a close Dawson decision. Actually, It would have to be a catchweight thinking about it most probabably, so not too sure!
Toney in his prime would have to fight Dawson at 168, which I think he would win by default due to experience. If we're talking about a catchweight, I still think Toney takes it by late rd KO while slightly down on points. Dawson IS very aggressive most times and Toney was a superb counter puncher with an inhuman chin. He was also quite the finisher in his prime. This why I think he hurts Dawson late in the fight and doesn't let him off the hook, forcing a stoppage.
I'm going with Toney due to his superior craft. Mostly, this fight is about Dawson. He has shown a tendency to get caught flush late in fights (Adamek, Johnson, Tarver I), and until he demonstrates a little more defensive prowess, I have to believe Toney catches him. It would be a very competitive fight, though.
Dawson better than Nunn ? That is debatable. Michael Nunn was a very good fighter when he was focused and in his prime. Starling Kalambay Roldan Barkley Curry Tate I think stylistically he would beat James Toney though.
Toney via late stoppage. Toney beat a more talented version of Chad Dawson... his name was Micheal Nunn.
