RJJ or James Toney?

James Toney is an excellent fighter. A Hall of Fame worthy fighter. But, Roy Jones faced him in his prime and beat him handily. So Jones is clearly superior at 168. I also favor Jones over Toney at 160. Jones destroyed Montell Griffin at Light Heavyweight. That same Montell Griffin beat James Toney twice. So Jones also gets the nod at 175. Finally, although Toney beat better Heavyweights (his KO over Holyfield was impressive and shocking), he never officially won the title. Jones did. At best the two should be considered even at heavyweight. In summary, although Toney had better durability and longevity than Jones, the only division he has a clear claim of superiority is Cruiserweight. It should also be noted that during Jones' prime (up until his KO loss to Tarver) Toney never clamored for a rematch against Jones at any weight.

 

Jones is way ahead of Toney up until and including Ruiz. Not only did he shut out Toney when they met, he did better against common opponents like Sosa, Johnson and Griffin, and besides his DQ to Griffin he wasn't even close to losing. Toney blew hot and cold while Jones just couldn't be touched.

 

Toney has the better resume. Jones has the better legacy.

 

I don't think Toney has the better resume. RJJ fought a deeper level of talent consistently over 10 years.

 

Jones was better. He was just more special but Toney had a skill set that enabled him to do things Jones couldn't have done like hang tough with big heavyweights, fight top(ish) fighters at an advanced age whereas Roy, once he'd lost, just seemed to become instantly vulnerable.

Imagine if they both fought for 20 years (I wish that was all each of them had fought) and were given a score out of ten for each year. They'd score similar totals but Jones would get there with a load of 10/10s mixed with a few 1s and 2s. Toney gets there with a more consistent range of 6s, 7s and 8s but, great as he was, he hasn't quite got the X factor of Jones and never quite hits the heights that Roy reached.

 

Toney was not prime when he faced jones he was woefully out of shape. Toney clearly has the better resume. Jones got iced by Tarver who Toney would have eaten alive

 

This is like being asked to choose between your kids! Look forward to seeing them at Canastota as first ballot Hall guys. Legitimate all-time greats the pair of them.

 

You don't think Charles Williams and Barkley are good wins, do you?

Those guys were drained 175 pounders at that point.

Roy has the better resume.

 

Both guys were caught with PED's though I'm not sure if Jones was ever punished

Jones not only has the head to head here, he never lost to a Dave Tiberi type of opponent and clearly had better performances in the ring.

Jones better at 160, 168, 175 and heavyweight.

Toney did more a cruiser.

 

Jones was the better and more talented. Toneys resume is better only at hw. Jones was consistently at the top of pound for pound heap for about 8 yrs while toney was at times lazy and often inconsistent. Lately toney seems to be overrated while Jones is underrated.

 

If you want to play the sell fighters short game who did roy ever beat besides a drained toney and Hopkins shot 175 McCallum and trinidad? After beating one of the weakest hw champs ever jones proceeded to get iced by guys like antonio Tarver and glen Johnson. Not quite sure any of his individual wins are as good as michael nunn or dare I say even cruiser jirov. His best win is probably james toney who had to lose 40 pounds in 2 weeks to make weight and who continued to look drained even at 175 shortly after

 

True.

But, there is a caveat and a huge **** in comparing the two at CW..

Jones never fought at CW until after losing to Tarver and Johnson. In '03, he bypassed it and went straight for Ruiz at HW.

I believe Jones could have done well there pre Ruiz. He just chose not to fight in that division until after he was already shot.

 

I meant James has the better top notch wins.Roy's resume is a bit deeper.