If we're looking at a hypothetical fight between the best versions of both them, where they were both 100% fit and fighting to their full capabilities, then I'd take James on points. What's going to happen, is that many people will vote for GG, based on the lacklustre gift that James had against the likes of Tiberi.
True. But look at the schedule that James had. Whilst it's true that GG hasn't had gifts over Tiberi level fighters, you have to note that he's struggled with Jacobs and beaten nobody on the level of a Nunn or McCallum. I think we should be focusing on the best versions of each guy, and the clash of styles that this great fight would have produced.
Tricky. I guess I should preface this by saying that I'm a huge Toney fan, so let me know if my post here smacks of bias. Stylistically, I like James in this one. He was in his element against guys who carried the fight to him, and Golovkin simply ain't stopping him; Toney's chin is just too proven and cast-iron for that, and hard to catch cleanly / consistently in any case. He'd also teach Golovkin a few lessons in the art of inside fighting. However, Toney wasn't as active at 160 as he was at 168. He usually had enough in reserve to muster a big finish in the championship rounds, as he did against Nunn, Johnson and McCallum (I) and which made the difference in those fights, but he was prone to being outworked and fighting in spurts. You just can't afford to do that against someone like Golovkin, who will find and exploit any weakness you have in that area. I think good defence gives Golovkin problems, but generally more the rangy, movement brand rather than Toney's in-close slipping. I could see a scenario where the points verdict would be bitterly disputed, with Toney appearing to do the cleaner and classier work, but with Golovkin cancelling that out by being busier and negating some of Toney's work by landing the more powerful and dramatic-looking shots. Who would get the nod? Well, I'll say Toney...But then again, I was always going to say that, wasn't I!?
I think Alvarez vs GGG gives us a glimpse into what that fight may look like, Toney has the skills to beat GGG comprehensively but he could be outworked. The reality is in his prime he looked awful at times against guys far worse than GGG, Toney still proved himself at a higher level though. I would pick Toney.
yep toney was just better on his day than 3G, broader and deeper skillset, fitter, just not as hard a hitter.
I'll take Golovkin. What's the worst he's ever looked? Maybe against Ouma, where they went toe to toe for 10 rounds beforehe sent Kassim to the hospital. Toney looks distinctly unimpressive in several fights including the Tiberi fight where he basically got beaten up by a featherfist the whole fight before Father Christmas, St Peter and an angel came down to earth to hand him the win. What I like about GGG is his high level of consistency, even when he's having an off night. Toney's lack of discipline combined with the fact that I think he was really not as comfortable at 160 as at higher weights, makes me pick against him. I think Golovkin/Toney would look similar to Golovkin / Canelo with GGG putting in the workrate and Toney putting in the flashy work and stealing rounds on that basis. I think at the end though, with fair judges, Golovkin on points.
Woulda coulda... I think Gennady at his best would beat both. But We'll never know. But what we do know is GGG has more middleweight title defenses than both Roid Jones and Toney And has a more decorated amateur career too. More accomplished at the weight. As Tub Of Goo Lou says... SAAAWWWWWWWWEY!!!