The better overall fighter- James Toney or Floyd Mayweather Jnr

Great post.

 

I think it’s close if you break it down.

 

Of course those losses look worse than a guy being undefeated. But then an intelligent fan is able to apply the relevant context needed.

Floyd was one of the greatest fighters who’s ever lived. He also had great longevity due to being a consummate professional. He was always in incredible shape where he was 100% dedicated. But on the flip side, he retired early, he was risk adverse and he didn’t fight the number of fights than Toney did.

Floyd never fought a guy like Michael Nunn in his career.

Floyd never fought a guy like Mike McCallum in his career.

Floyd never fought a guy like a prime Roy Jones in his career.

Toney fought Reggie Johnson, Mike McCallum and Michael Nunn all within a year.

He had a career that spanned 92 fights.

He’d fought 46 times before he fought Roy Jones, sometimes fighting every other month.

Floyd could never have retired undefeated fighting as many times, against the same calibre of opponents.

Toney laid it all on the line.

At the age where Floyd was fighting Berto and McGregor to preserve his zero and to get to his desired 50-0, Toney was fighting at HW against Rahman and Peter.

They were cut from a different cloth.

 

That and the fact that Mayeather was a much garder worker in the Gym. Toney was only in tip top shape a few times during his career while Mayweather was for every fight. If Toney had the dedication of Floyd, he would have been a greater fighter than Floyd, probably a top 10 ATG.

 

The performance against Barkley - Floyd has never topped that. He’s run or had the height/reach/size at lighter weights. He was NOT as skilled as Toney was.

 

Yet somehow they were still obscured by his belly hanging over his belt.

James once had to go to the sauna on the morning of the weigh-in to make heavyweight.