Just re-watched James Toney vs. Vasiliy Jirov

One of the best fights I've ever seen, and one of Toneys best wins. That fight never gets old.
Jirov was a beast at that point, severely underrated, and he'd have beaten Haye, Mormeck and Bell if he'd never met Toney.

 

One of the 3 most exciting fights ive seen live.

We were all SCREAMING at the TV that last round.

 

Jirov gave Toney major problems by setting a very fast pace. Toney just sucked it up and eventually went on to win a close but non controversial decision.

 

AWESOME FIGHT! A classic to say the least. A master performance by James and very honorable and gritty preformance by Jirov. Both great Crusier wieghts and the best at the time!

 

No way Toney was going to out work Jriov...what toney had to do was be the better boxer, which he was. And he needed to counter cleanly, consistantly and accurately, and he did that as well.

Watching the Juraez vs Barrios fight over the weekend I kept thinking about this fight and how opposite....but then again, the same these two fights were.

Barrios was Jirov and Rocky was James....the only thing was Rocky wasnt constant at all, he wasn't working enough. Not that I wanted him to OUTWORK barrios...I just needed to see him work consistantly using his boxing skills. When Rock did work he landed, but to me that was few and far between....If Rock didn't land that hook to slice Barrios's lip I would have gave the fight to Barrios on his workrate and Rocky's lack of work.

 

the judges scores were pathetic

 

The Jirov/Toney fight was up for grabs until the knockdown! I don't understand how it could be viewed any other way? It was a great fight with a contrast of styles, the classic boxer vs slugger matchup which came down to conditioning and Toney paced himself better knocking down a very determined but tired Jirov. Close fight, great fight! Even without the knockdown, you couldn't argue either way about the decision!

 

Don't worry about it bro. For the casual fan it's hard to notice the subtle technique and defensive prowess that judges are suppose to understand and look for.

James wasn't getting hit much at all. Most of the shots Jirvo was throwing looked good and came with power, but Toney either slipped, blocked, parried or avoided most of his offense altogether.

Jriov did the right thing by attacking relentlessly and for most that would have been enough to wear his opponent down, but of course Jirov was in there with James Toney who isn't exactly the avg boxer.

The fight was semi close. The work rate from Jriov kept it close on the surface, but Jirov took one hell of a beating. Toney was landing at a higer percentage and landed more punches...So he was VERY efficent, where Vasilly was not....Vassily only controlled the pace of the fight....James controlled the action, distance and outcome.

James should have won (had it gone the distance) by at least 4 rounds.

 

A classic fight, an absolute classic. I still don't think this Toney was as good as '91-'94 middleweight Toney, but this performance was up there with any on his resume. A natural middleweight fighting the best cruiserweight in the world, fighting him toe-to-toe, and showcasing his incredible chin, defence and counterpunching skills perfectly. James Toney sir you are a modern God.

 

That was before we found out he was using roids.

 

I get such a kick out of manny steward's screaming at the end of this one!!

 

Saying James was a natural middleweight is a bit of a stretch. That's like saying Oscar was a natural super featherweight or that Paul Williams is a natural welterweight- just because that's the lowest weight he fought at doesn't mean that's his natural one. In those cases, growing into bigger weight classes is inevitable sooner or later.

 

No, those achievements stand to this day, look them up.

Again, the guy was injured and under a physicians care...at least he actually shows up when he's hurt...and wins, at that.

 

A reasonable thought, but Calzaghe is a far more intelligent and adaptable figher than Jirov, as well as being quicker of both foot and hand by some margin.

Great performance by both men though. perfect opponent for Toney in some ways, Jirov leaves himself open for counters and Toney capitalizes, the pace he was forced to fight at brought the best out of Toney.