The official James Toney Appreciated thread:

Toney is indeed a true legend. In his prime, he had it all speed, power an awesome technique and defense. I have never seen a fighter who is more relaxed in the ring. He is also one of the very few fighters who could have fought in any era and at any weight. Who else in the history of the sport has successfully fought from MW to HW? While it is true that with a little bit more dedication he could have been a top 20 ATG, I still think that Toney did more than enough to be viewed as one of the purest boxers of his era. And who knows, maybe he can add a legit HW crown to his credentials before the lights go out on his great career.

 

^^ to answer your question: roy jones jr.



Toney is one of my faves, its a joy to watch him exhibit his top-notch defensive / counter-punching skills.



I like him because he is a complete boxer in a world of boxing today that sees many pros make it to the top still raw.











I just wish his fatass would have stopped eating and stayed at Cruserweight though.

 

"anybody anywhere anytime" - great words and the man actually backed it up!

Had the potential to become a top 10 ATG, well he still had a great career (it's not even over yet) and he's an ATG in my book nevertheless.

Probably the last true old-school fighter in the game, and the day he retires will be a sad day for the sport. He's something special. Boxing will miss him when he's gone, even the haters here on ESB will realize it.

Take a look at his record, it speaks for himself. Nuff said.

 

His record is unbelievable. 50 cheeseburgers and a gallon of hersheys ice cream in one sitting. Wow!

 

The title sums it up, "Appreciated", not "Appreciation".

But on a more serious note, even nowdays hes still an entertaining guy.

 

Thanks - i am well aware that Jones and Bob Fitzsimmons were both former MW who claimes HW championships. The difference however is that both of them never regularly competed at HW and thus can not be considered as competitive HW at least in my eyes.

 

Not trying to split hairs and divert the topic of appreciation, but in response to lowblow... winning a championship is more successful then competing for one.

 

All hail the transformation:


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Fitz had more fights at hw than Toney i think and he was undisputed mw, lhw and hw champ, something that neither Toney nor Jones were. He´s in another league than both if we are talking about greatness.

 

he won't retire. :yep

he'll still be fighting at 45.

one of the toughest men to ever step inside a ring is toney.

 

I love Toney, he is a true bad ass. Lots of guys talk a good game but Lights
Out has been backing it up for almost 20 years.

 

Beating Michael Nunn for the middleweight title at 160 in 1991, and now he is able to hang in there with the best heavyweights in 2008.

That is pretty impressive, I am not sure anybody has done that before.