James Toney vs Antonio Tarver

Toney is a monster against fighters who come at him like Jirov. But fighters who box him, use movement, fight at a distance and give him angles give him fits. Tarver can do this. I don´t know if he would win but he would be competative.

 

I can totally see both happening.

 

Tarver just seemed to fight down to his opponent and let them dictate the pace. He even did it in the first Jones fight when Jones was sapped. He was horrible against Harding, and just overall lazy. He didnt really utilize his height and reach as much as he should have. He was just an underachiever, because he had some good skills and physical attributes. Hes a very tall lanky guy for 175 pounds.

 

If Montell Griffin could pull it off, I think Tarver could too. They aren't worlds apart in style but I think Tarver's at his peak was a cut better than Grififn ever was.

 

Yeah I agree although at LHW Toney was the same.

At LHW I pick Tarver to steal enough rounds to edge it and JT allowing it to happen. At cruiser or HW i think Toney has performed better than he did at what should have been his perfect weight.

Toney should have been an ATG LHW.

 

Did you see his fight with Reggie Johnson?

Johnson was old,looked like a midget and still arguably did enough to earn the win.Tarver looked to be going through the motions until he got dropped and then he finally started to show some passion.

Anyway as to this fight it's all up to Toney.If he comes in listless and lazy he loses but if in shape and up for it he romps it in.

In terms of skills it's a no contest imo.

 

Yeah I think they both had lapses in fitness and focus, but assuming we are matching the best versions of both fighters, I dont think its even close. Tarver would never knockout Toney so it would settle into be a long fight for sure, and thats something that also doesnt favor any version of Tarver. He was just not really that good in my opinion, could have been better, but not as good as Toney.

 

I think this is a case where styles and the vast height difference between the fighters would produce an upset on paper. Tarver was a tall out fighter, a southpaw, and rather cautious. Toney was mostly a counter puncher. Toney would have to break his usual tendencies to win here.

I see a boring type of fight with Tarver using his height, and reach to out point Toney in the middle of the ring. Toney might land the crisper shots, but they would be less in volume. This is your classic boring decision, with some controversy. I think Tarver takes a close decision here.

I do not rate Tarver as a top 20 atg at light heavy, but he was rather good in his prime.

 

It does sound kind of bad to say you never saw someone fight then say they would lose in a certain way like another fighter (who, as it turns out (Jirov) fights nothing like the fighter you never saw (Tarver)).

 

Actually i'm going to have to disagree. When Griffin was being trained by Eddie Futch he was a very good fighter. After Futch left him, he never looked the same and especially after he got knocked out against Jones.


As for this fight i think Toney wins.

 

toney is better in every way, shape and form. tarver would go into a shell after the first couple rounds and toney wins a wide decision imo.

 

Theoretically I would go for Toney in an instant but then I remember that he was at light heavy because he couldn't be bothered to get in condition at super middle anymore.

 

I don't think Tarver is smart enough to dictate the pace of a fight against toney for 12 rounds. he'd have to get tired and once he lets toney get inside on him he would get pummelled. I just think that Toney is light years beyond Tarver skill wise, tough wise, and wise wise.

 

Not sure about this 1, Toney has the skill to give Tarver nightmares but at 175 wasn't at his best. Tarver is hot and cold but at his best, combines speed, monster size for a LHW, and big power while not being the greatest technician. Toney should outsmart him really but Tarver has the Nunnesque advantages here