This fight was supposed to happen after Toney-Jirov and Hopkins-Hakkar, but it got scraped, probably because Hopkins was unhappy with how much $$ Don King was going to take (i.e. steal) from his purse. Hopkins is obviously extremely smart and would've devised a game plan to nullify Toney's best strength (counterpunching). Surely, Hopkins wouldn't play into Toney's hands, he'd most likely use the ring a lot more. It'd be an awful difficult task to move up from 160 to 190, and against another very skilled and experienced fighter in Toney. Hell, it's hard to move up like that against a merely decent fighter, let alone a future HOFer. This content is protected
Toney by decision. Even though I believe B-Hop is a "greater" fighter than James, he would always lose to an in-shape Toney in the ring. JT would make Hopkins look mechanical, stylistically it's just not a good fight for Bernard... and I honestly believe Bernard has always knew this.
this is a very tough one to call because both fighters are so flawed. peak toney was getting smashed to bits off the likes of sanderline williams, and dave tiberi, and having life and death split decison struggles with the likes of sosa and johnson, before gettin his ass kicked twice by midget griffin and thadzi hopkins had been butchered by clinton mitchell, mercado and been smashed twice by jermain taylor. hell, hopkins was even jumping out of the ring like a complete ***** against robert allan. its a tough fight to call though, toney would be juiced up to **** for this fight so that presents real problems for proven racist hopkins. however, hopkins could neutralise this by his repetitive headbutting and continual feigning of low blows, whilst crying like a ***** to the ref. close fight, i'd go for toneys juicing to be too much for bernard with a 115-113 decision.
2003 time......are people aware of how much sterioids Phoney was on back then atsch, this guy has been busted for juicing not once but TWICE everything he's done above SMW is highly suspect.
If he added the weight properly, Hopkins wins. Just so much more versatile. Too tricky, too quick and skilled on the outside.
Well, i think Hopkins in 2003 should've been fighting at 168 and i think had he put on the weight on right, he would come in the ring at about 180. I think that would be enough for Hopkins to compete well. I think Hopkin's movement and footwork would win him a decision. Toney struggles against slick fighters.
Always thought Hopkins beats Toney whatever the weight. Hopkins lateral movement & footwork, his abilities on the inside make him a very difficult opponent for Toney.
An in shape Toney would always be a problem for Hopkins. His movement, ring IQ, technique and plus he was a lot more powerful then Hopkins. Hopkin had a great right hand lead but then again Toney had impeccable defense. I see a close UD for Toney but who knows....
