Toney & Hopkins: Who's more skilled?

None of us are calling hopkins a shitty fighter, but James Toney in his prime was other worldly.

 

Toney is (or rather was) more skilled. I understand some people thinking Hopkins was better overall although I don't agree. What Hopkins has over Toney though, which some people wouldn't think of as a positive, is that he's willing to fight very negatively and endure a few boos in order to win. Toney would never do that, although he's not a big puncher, I get the impression he's always looking for the stoppage whether he gets it or not.
Another thing worth considering is that Toney doesn't foul much whereas for Hopkins fouling is in itself a skillset.

 

What the ****? This is how you answer me saying 'nothing against hopkins'

You dumb mother ****er, I know who hopkins is and how good he was, get the **** out of here.

 

I think some of you are so enamored with Toney's subtle skills. Yeah, they are amazing but Hopkins can beat you inside/outside, control range and dictate the fight. He can fight more styles. There really isn't anything Hopkins can't do as a fighter. Technically, he's a textbook. So what if he had to work towards perfecting his skills? To me, that's more impressive.

 

No, he was not as skilled as Toney.

That is my OPINION that I EXPRESSED when the thread starter ASKED the QUESTION.

Now, I understand your user name is Popkins, and you would love to hear a bunch of idolatrous bull****, but I am not as impressed with Hopkins as you are.

Sorry this burns you so deeply, but it's a fact that will never change.

 

Do you guys think Toney could slow down the work rate of a guy like Calzaghe the way Hopkins did? I doubt it. Maybe if he keeps countering beautifully he will but Toney just doesn't have the footwork to control the distance and pace of a fight like Hopkins.

 

You think a 168 toney wouldn't have embarrassed calzaghe?

Get real.

 

Damn, tough call....

Two totally different types of skill, both carried them a long way.

I can't call it, Hopkins for sure had more discipline, is the greater fighter in my opinion. But Toney was special as well, had more natural talent than B.Hop did, and was successful at more weight classes.

I would have loved to see a prime Toney vs. prime Hopkins at MW or SMW... It would have been a good tactical fight.

 

I would pick a 168 Toney over Calzaghe, maybe not by embarrassment, but by a clear decision..:yep