Toney was never koed and now Wlad does it in a fantasy match-up? No, just no. Not only is Toney's chin granite, his defence is excellent and ensures he doesn't easily get hit flush. He loses a decision to Vitali but he has a chance of cracking Wlad's eggshell chin. Probably loses that on points but doesn't get koed.
Sometimes when your standing in front of a guy that's that much smaller than you staying away and boxing smart is easier said than done. Maybe yours and my definition of skilled differ but I don't see a ton of skill in vitali. He knew how to use his length well and was a decent boxer but he also tore his rotator cuff trying to take Chris Byrd's head off. Also I've heard at this sparring session Toney made a fine account of himself. Who knows if it's true or if it even happened
Anybody can get injured. I watched the Vitali vs Byrd fight. I didnt see Vitali doing anything oafish or stupid there. Injuries happen in sports. If Vitali doesnt tear a rotator cuff, no way Byrd wins that fight. I dont read too much into sparring results. Sometimes guys are working on a specific thing. Sometimes a guy is not going full speed. Lots of things it could be. I like Toney and he was one of the best inside fighters of his generation. If I was Vitali and wanted to work on my inside game, I spar with Toney. A lot. But if I was Vitali and was fighting Toney in an actual match, I would do what I could to avoid that type if fight. I think Vitali was good, as you say, at keeping people outside, at distances favoring his own strengths. We may just have to disagree on this one.
We dont see things too differently. I dont think Toney would get inside enough to win. I think Vitali was good at keeping guys outside and in his kill zone.
JT prefers inside where he doesn't have to extend his arms. As stated in previous posts, Klinchkos have never fought anyone's fight but their own. They jab him from across the ring, winning a boring UD.
If we are talking mythical "best versions" then vitali wins a very boring UD where toney pulls a lot of funny faces and vitali wins most rounds by 3 jabs If its fat washed up toney then vitali stops him.
I think Vitali makes a point of being the first man to stop Toney,keeping him at the end of his jab,smashing in rights,hooks and uppercuts.
