A Bernard Hopkins Vs A Prime James Toney

Hopkins all day, every day.

 

I'll take Hopkins by decision, something like 8-4, or possibly 7-5 if the Toney of the first McCallum fight shows. The reasoning is based on Hopkins's footwork, lateral movement, and overall out-boxing, which would take James out of his comfort zone. At MW he was generally a better out-boxer atrange, but not when up against movement. And Hopkins would be able to hold his own on the inside with Toney as well.

 

Hopkins 8-4 Hops movement is something toney cant handle and i believe hops is a way better offensive fighter then toney. Montell griffen with his movement beat toney twice and he aint got nothin on hopkins

 

Middleweight Toney was inconsistent.

He was better at 168.

 

Hopkins by competitive, close, but clear decision, if Toney brings his "A" game.

 

I am afraid I did not see the Griffin 1 or 2 fight, but I think Toney would do much better than 8 to 4. Toney had problems with speed, but Hopkins is not as fast as a RJJ. Toney would have his game plan and execute. I think he would smother alot of Hopkins offence and foolery. Toney is a master boxer and I believe it would be much closer like a split decision. He would beat the Trinidad era Hopkins if you put Toney in his prime. Hopkins got smarter and wiser as he got older. Toney had that back in his prime when he was disecting fighters at there own game.

 

So Hopkins was prime when he fought Trinidad? Smarter and bigger, but not prime.

 

At his fastest though (late 90s), Hopkins had MUCH better hand speed than he does today though. And like Jones, he knows how to throw when fighters aren't expecting a punch to come.

And Tabin why do you say Toney possibly stops Hopkins? I mean come on now, its just not going to happen. The only time Hopkins has ever even been down was when he was fighting at altitude, and it was obvious there was something up with them that time, he went down more than once actually, and easily.

 

Tony couldn't even conclusively beat an old Mike McCallum at MW, even in his best performance on film (their first fight). Though the Barkley performance at 168 was near flawless, Barkley was shot by that point and ripe for the picking. He was really made for Toney, and his physical condition made it all the easier.

 

I don't get the love for toney. I really don't. If you like him as a fighter, thats great...But people compare him to RJJ and Hopkins. Not even in the same league.

RJJ DOMINATED every opponent he faced up until Tarver.

Hopkins DOMINATED every opponent he faced for like a 10 year span!


Did Toney win a lot of fights? Yes.

Did Toney win and lose a lot of close fights? Yes.


RJJ and B-Hop would never put in a position where a fight versus McCallum or Griffin would go to the cards and could go either way.

 

I wouldn't say that.

 

Toney. Bhop is a better outside fighter but he always goes inside to hold and get off a combo. Bhop cant beat JT just hanging around on the outside. JT is the master boxer in the clinch or inside b/c he dont clinch and he is a master of getting of shots in a phone booth. It would be close but JT would get the best on the inside and Bhop on the outside. With JT shoulder roll defense Bhop would have to get close to score. JT in a close fight 7 rounds to 5.

 

I always thought the best Toney could beat the best Bhop. Bhop would not of beaten Michael Nunn.

 

Hopkins would get his ass kicked today, yesterday or tomarrow, in the Ring, on the streets or at a Press Conference.