Both are my top two favorite fighters, but James imo would always be too strong and durable for Tommy. Even though James never fought at 154, I think at any weight, he will always beat Tommy down the stretch. Tommy wins the first few rounds due to his faster feet like Michael Nunn but James gradually breaks him down and eventually catches him at some point, and that will be the end of it.
Toney was unreliable making 160lbs, he’s not making 154lbs. The very best case scenario is he turns up to the weigh in at 157-158lbs, and at that weight he’s too much for Hearns. Just realised Toney was 157lbs against Nunn, maybe he could’ve made 154lbs if he was consistent dietarily and disciplined, but it’s a what if question and we never saw him at 154lbs so I really don’t know.
At 154 (and, probably 160) I would pick Hearns over Toney. Toney's chances begin to increase above 160.
Don’t worry about it — I forgot something once, but it was so long ago I don’t even remember what it was. As for the topic, no way James Toney makes 154 without being completely, walking-dead drained. He’d be in worse form than he was when he should have lost to Dave Tiberi, and no way that Toney beats Thomas Hearns. Tommy outboxes him for 6-8 rounds and after that he stands a good chance of getting a TKO win with a lifeless Toney not having the energy to defend himself or punch back. At 160 or above, it’s all James as the sturdier guy.
