Could Roy Jones beat James Toney at Heavyweight in 2003?

Jones would have clearly outboxed Toney yet again.

 

Jones by decision. I've always felt that Jones biggest mistake was draining himself back down to 175 after weighing a ripped 200lbs. Jones could have fought Holyfield, Byrd, Fres Oquendo, and if he wanted to move down he should have stopped at 190.

 

Jones was 193 for the Ruiz fight.

 

Toney would undoubtedly have come in with a big weight advantage but Jones would have had an even bigger speed advantage than he had when they fought at middleweight. A clear 12 round unanimous decision for Jones would be the result.

 

Jones with any kind of spring left in his legs, which presumably he'd still have if he kept fighting at 190 - 200 lb once he'd beaten Ruiz, decisions Toney by a decent margin. Roy was always a terrible match up for Toney. I love Toney's Cruiser / Heavy career revival 2003-06, but Jirov and Peter (he clearly win the first fight) were made to order for him, and Holyfield was a shell. Toney still wasn't mobile at the higher weights and I just think that any version of Jones which isn't shot just outspeeds him.

 

I thought he was 193 at the weigh in but by fight time he had hydrated up to 199?

 

Jones was a bad matchup for Toney. I think Jones would use his speed to out box him but I do believe Toney was the better fighter at Heavyweight if that makes sense. Toney could stand in the pocket and clown guys like Peter, Rahman, Holyfield. He had a way better chin and if he could have keep his weight down to the 220 area like he did against Holyfield he probably would have out right won those fights with Peter and Rahman.

 

I remember Jim Lampley saying that just before the fight started but don't believe it. Not without a better reason to.

 

I think Toney knocks him out at heavyweight.

Jones was not very mobile at heavyweight and he did not have the chin.He was never a decent heavyweight . I think Ruiz gave him way too
much respect. Shortly after that, Tarver and Johnson knocked him out.

 

yes.

he would outspeed him just as he did in 1994.

 

Jones had quite some snap in his punches to earn respect. Ruiz wanted to maul him but was being countered so quickly that he decided that he doesn't want a little guy to hurt him.

As for the fight? Jones would box Toney's ears off! The disparity in hand speed would be the deciding factor. Toney would be a little slow, a little late all night long hitting air with his ineffective counters. Jones probably won't commit more than he needs to and he would likely choose to happily sail to a clear decision.

 

Jones always had the speed advantage of James,which would help him win but in this fight it is a much more competitive fight than in 1994, and Toney would make it tough for Jones late in the fight. I still see Jones using his speed and leaping in with the left often enough and winning.

 

TKO Toney

 

Only thing is this was not the 94 version of jones and not the weight drained 94 version of Toney.Toney was on the upside at that poiint whereas Jones was on the downside soon after that.At heavweight Roy did not have the same mobility or reflexes. His chin would have been an issue too.He would have to give a lot of respect to Toney's punch at heavyweight. Roy knew himself that he was not a heavyweight cause he just stayed for one fight.