Bernard Hopkins vs James Toney @ 160/168

Toney, in a by a shade in a bore fest.

 

I've always believed that Hopkins beats Toney at both weights. His superior movement being the key.

 

yeah b- hop pulls this one out

 

I believe James Toney beats Hopkins in a close one. Both are bothered by world class movement and speed(Toney's troubles with Nunn and Jones and Hopkins losses to Jones and Taylor). Neither guy were fancy danes so this fight would be fought at mid-range and close range. Both guys were great infighters, Hopkins was rougher, and Toney was a better counterpuncher and was a lil slicker. Hopkins is slick as well but Toney had slightly faster hands. Hopkins would have his success on the outside becuase of his superior jab and length.Would be reminicsent of those old school fights where you saw every trick in the book, with two tough SOBs. Great fight but Toney edges it.

 

agreed

 

I think Toney beats him in a close fight. I think him being better defensively and just being much more active would give him the win. He's superior in handspeed and movement as well.

 

The sad part is that this fight was supposed to happen and I don't mean the 2003 fight either.

The fight was supposed to happen back in 1993 but Toney couldn't make the middleweight limit at the time so he fought Iran Barkley. I remember eagerly wanting that fight at that time.

I just glanced at Toney's weights at the time. Wow, its so sad how incredibly talented he was how he could never control the buldge. Even back in the early 90's he fougth as high at the 170's. Unreal and this is when he was young mind you..

 

Handspeed maybe, but most certainly not movement. Toney's flat-footedness is what gives Hopkins the clear edge in this matchup for me.

 

toney at either weight, shame only hopkins gets schooled by calzaghe, be nice to see calzaghe kill fat toney!:good

 

I meant body movement. By bad.

Hopkins is great at cutting the ring, but I don't think that would work in this case. Toney likes to plant himself. He brings guys in to him while dodging and returning with combos or that hard right and uppercut. I think Hops just gets beaten by the better man there.

 

movement doesnt win fights...punches do:yep

 

While he does have better placement in the ring, I think his movement will ne nullified since Toney won't be moving much to begin with. Hops doesn't strike me as a stick and move fighter. I just have the feeling Toney would be landing more clean shots then Hops would.

 

Yes, and a good jab from range is quite a punch to use on a stationary counter puncher who relies on countering in mid-range. Watch Toney's fight with Little, who gives him hell boxing in and out, using the jab and 1-2 before Toney is able to take him out in the 3rd round. Hopkins is obviously on another level to Little.

The way I see it, Hopkins has the inside skill, punch variety, counter-punching, and defense to hang with Toney in close to mid range, and holds the clear edge on the outside. I just see Hopkins as more versatile.