At Heavyweight? Floyd, from his fight with Old Archie Verse Toney from his fight with old Holyfield? 15 rounds.
I think Floyd is a bad matchup for James. One thing about Toney as a Heavyweight is he excelled against bigger, slower, power punching guys that had to set their feet to punch. Holyfield doesn't really count to me because it was clear to me that he simply could not pull the trigger at that age anymore. I give Toney credit for winning that fight but I don't think he does that to Evander if the fight was in the early 90's. Even Toney's big win at Cruiserweight came against a Jirov that stood right in front of him and tried to bang him out. Floyd would definitely have the hand and foot speed advantage at heavyweight against James. Stylistically, his upper body movement and ability to move and punch would give James problems in my opinion. I will always believe James was a better fighter at 160/168 when he was Lightning fast but as a heavyweight he was still amazing but he had to have the right dance partner. Floyd would have been all wrong for him as would Chris Byrd or even a Eddie Chambers. Floyd by UD. Toney is always dangerous with his counterpunching ability but I believe Floyd's speed nullifies that ability.
I've thought who'd be a bad oppenent for most heavyweights and Chris Bryd comes to mind always. But as for this, it's a dangerous fight imo for Patterson but very winnable if that makes sense. The fact that Toney would be the slower guy, Floyd should be able to let his shots pile up the points. And I don't see Patterson having the fear factor I believe he had against liston. Floyd tho imo was a better fighter as he aged seemingly more confident after the liston kos, so who knows here. But he could be nailed of course, and Toney wasn't exactly feather fisted. I see FP for the most part out working the bigger slower man, maybe finding himself on the floor earlier in the game but putting on a good display and just about out pointing him.
It's so odd how styles make fights. Patterson's speed was taken from him by Liston's powerful jab. I believe Toney would perform much better against Sonny than Floyd did. Not saying he would beat him but Toney was much better against slower guys that were not great combination punchers. He had the defense and toughness to stay in the pocket with much bigger men but his Achilles heel has always been guys that were faster than him like Montell Griffin, Roy Jones and Reggie Johnson. After his back to back losses to Montell, he never fought another guy that was faster than him. Fres Oquendo had some decent speed but a guy like Patterson could really ha e success against Toney as long as he doesn't stay in the pocket for to long. Patterson was very smart against Moore to not stay in front of him for to long and to subtlety keep turning him. When he threw combinations, he never out stayed his welcome.
Exactly, and that's how Floyd would be best served here. Getting shots in then out. Then again of course, Toney was old school fighting, he'd have a few cunning shots in his box. Would be an interesting fight imo.
I like the Moore comparison. Toney doesnt fight exactly like Moore but I see the fight going fairly similarly
