James Toney vs Evander Holyfield Thoughts

I felt bad for Holyfield. He looked like a fool in there. I remember when they announced that fight, I knew Holyfield was going to get a shalacking. Toney in shape would have done the same thing to the Holyfield that beat the **** out of Tyson. It was just a bad matchup for Holy once he became more flat footed. Holy of the early 90's would have beat Toney up badly. This Holy could do nothing but miss and get countered.

 

Holy looked pretty bad against Byrd too. Toney was the better man that night and maybe Holy should've retired after that fight but still the man fights on. Still, Holy has proved time and time again that he'll fight anyone but I can't wait til he retires then gets inducted into the HOF.

 

If you watch the fight Holyfield also looks totally disinterested, like he didnt even want to be there. Who knows maybe he was just doing it for the payday. Either way it was an embarassing performance on his part.

 

Toney never managed to beat a top opponent that decisively, so i would more than doubt him dominating one of the best heavyweights in the world - which Holyfield definitely was when he destroyed Tyson twice.

 

Your overating Tyson big time at that point, he was right there to be hit, Toney was never.

 

Right there to be hit? Look at the fight. He's using head movement, swift attacks, glove blocking... the works.

Tyson demolished one of the top heavyweights & title holder in 3 rounds (Bruno) who had given Lewis a hard fight and who had beaten McCall recently. He also annihilated Seldon. Bruce won't be remembered as a great heavyweight, but he was athletic, had a very good jab, speed and power, but he stood no chance.

Toney NEVER did any of that even to guys his own size. You say he was never there to be hit? I say he always was. Yes, he makes very praiseworthy moves where he avoids punches. But he also takes many; why do you think all of his fights are so damn close? Even against Jirov, perhaps his best win, the fight was very close going into the 12th.

 

How do you think toney will do against that MMA fighter hes fighting?

 

The interviews at the end are even more bizarre.

 

It was a very good win for Toney. Holyfield came in healthy, came out hard and ended up getting picked apart.

 

Tyson took a lot of punishment in the Holyfield fight.

What was so annihilating about that performance? Tyson's snarl at the weigh in or that puff of air that knocked Seldon out as the punch sailed over his head?

Since when was Toney a powerpunching brawler? He was competitive with every heavyweight he was in with, in shape or not, because he was an awesome technician. Besides were talking about Holyfield, who looked like **** against Bowe and Czyz prior to Tyson. After the Tyson fights his record was far from stellar. More proof it was Tyson who had slipped the most.

He must have iron in his chin if he takes so many. Toney rarely gets hit cleanly.

THe Holyfield fight certainly wasnt close. Toney's an infighter, he doesnt take a lot of shots, he blocks and skips a lot of punches off his gloves and body. If he took so much punishment, guys like Sam Peter, Hasim Rahman and Holyfield would have knocked out the light hitting 5'9 butterball. His problem was his fitness and conditioning, but against both Holyfield and Jirov he was in top shape.

Thats because Jirov set a blistering pace and why I think a young Holyfield would be able to do it. Even against Tyson Holyfield did a lot of leaning and pushing and was able to take his rest when he needed it, because Tyson was basically stale on the inside. He would never have been able to do that against Toney, because of Toneys infighting skills.

 

Yes, Toney does have an iron chin. His punch resistance is just as impressive as his toughness (and i'm not referring to his big mouth here). But he does ship a lot of punishment, especially in his fat days. I genuinely feared for his health when Peter was knocking him over the ring in their first fight. And rightfully so, because in their rematch he was ruined and took an even worse beating, although Peter was in better shape that night..

 

Great comments guys, lol i'm the same view as the man Lefthook......

Toney & Holyfield we could argue about their careers untill the end of time :think

 

I had Toney winning this one 116-112. Toney ate peter for supper all night long with counter right hands.

 

Holy was past prime, but an awesome performance from a former Middleweight nonetheless.