Toney 160-168

Based on this post, i'd say you're the one that hasn't seen those fights. If you have you were watching them with your head up Toney's arse.

 

This

 

Whatever you say slick.

 

ok, let's suppose a prime, focused, ready, non weight-drained versio nof Toney enters the ring. Not the version of Toney we saw against Roy Jones, that version was far from being at his best that night (make no mistake, I think a peak Roy Jones would beat a peak James Toney 10 times out of 10, because styles make fights).

Hopkins would be the most difficult opponent for Toney out of these. Two defensive masters, it would be a boring chess match. I think Hopkins would definitely make Toney have to come forward and be the aggressor (something Toney was able to do), and I see them standing in the middle of the ring, throwing and missing with 1-2s each. Toney would eventually step up the pressure and throw lots of punches, to various results. It would be a very close fight. Maybe like Toney-McCallum, but with Hopkins being more on the defense. I'd predict a controversial decision either way.

Calzaghe would be another tough one for Toney. Calzaghes movement would pose Toney problems. But at 160-168lbs, Toney was a fast and slick boxer too, and Calzaghe always had problems with such type of fighters. Speed and slickness were Calzaghes strenghts and he wouldn't be so superior in that department against Toney as he usually was. Plus I can't really see how running and landing some slaps would win Calzaghe a fight, even if he was considered to be more 'active' fighter. If effective aggression counts most, as it should, I'm going with a decision win for Toney here.

Taylor would do good for the first half of the fight. He'd keep his distance, jab and box nicely. But we mustn't forget that Toney was able to fight agressively at 160-168lbs, everytime he wanted to (or rather had to). Toney was also able to throw a lot of punches. After jabbing with Taylor for some rounds, Toney would eventually get to a tiring Taylor and break him down, and then stop him late.

Arthur Abraham is a very good fighter and by no means the worst of the bunch you listed here. He's a monstrous puncher, but at the same time, his style is just tailor-made for Toney. Power is the very last thing to trouble Toney with, while Abraham leaves himself open after throwing punches. Toney would be able to counter all night long. Toney by wide UD, maybe shut-out.

Pavlik would be another easy fight for prime Toney. Pavliks power and physical superiority would mean little against Toneys far superior skills and accuracy. Toney would be able to pick his spots and gradually break Pavlik down. Frustrate him. Maybe even finish him late. You have all seen what a skilled and durable boxer can do to Pavlik, even if he's 44 years old (Hopkins).

 

I dont want to ruin your parade, but Toney arguably lost to Tiberi, Griffin and scraped by someone like Reggie Johnson and Merqui Sosa.

I definitely wouldn't put anyone a clear favorite over Toney, but I certainly would have most encounters 50-50.

 

i belive a game toney would beat them all. Toney in he's prime was amazing. For me he's the greatest middleweight of all time up there with hagler

 

Toney vs Bhop could go either way

But Toney beats the rest.

Pavlik gets stopped

 

Toney tends to get overrated in fantasy matchups. He has amazing skils, yes, but he also had a tendency to come up with sub - par performances, something that didn't easily happen to Calzaghe, Hopkins, and so far to Abraham

Toney loses to Calzaghe and probably to Hopkins. His counterpunching style isn't well suited for Calzaghe who simply doesn't stop punching like normal fighters do. While Calzaghe doesn't have RJJ's speed, he would be the 2nd fastest fighter Toney has faced and speed plus workrate and reacting with overwhelming aggression to being hit hard make Calzaghe a very difficult opponent for Toney.

Hopkins I favor simply because he was more consistent. On his very best night, Toney would perhaps win, but he didn't have those nights as consistently as Hopkins had his.

Taylor and Pavlik lose to Toney, although they could make it interesting fights. Toney lost to Drake Thadzi, who was somewhat similar to Pavlik.

Abraham is too unproven to me, even though I am a fan, to say he could beat Toney. Maybe in ten fights from now, he will look better ín this fantasy matchup.

 

Another boxrec warrior.atschSosa won 3 round MAX!!!! And Toney was robbed by Griffin twice at Light Heavyweight.

 

I dont agree with this, Hopkins isnt as good a mover as Nunn or Johnson and Toney beat them. Toney can do everything Hopkins can as well, and I would also say he is better defensively as well. Hopkins cant hold his own on the inside either unless you count one punch and hold fighting on the inside. Toney wins by UD

I agree with this

I can also agree with this as well