What sets guys like Hopkins and Toney apart from mere mortals...

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by DINAMITA, May 20, 2009.


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  1. magnificentdave

    magnificentdave Constant Reminder Full Member

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    They also brought the mental fortitude and stuck to their gameplans through any adversity.

    When you start talking about accuracy, that gets me wondering, what is the source of their accuracy?

    I'd say it's a combination of picking their shots, as one poster suggested, great hand speed, reflexes and most importantly, setting their shots up correctly with feints and body punching and footwork. Now Bhops footwork is not only technically awesome, but quick as well, whereas Toney had technically great and consistent footwork, but he never moved more than he had to, and sometimes not as much as you might hope.
     
    magnificentdave, May 20, 2009
    magnificentdave, May 20, 2009
    #16
  2. DINAMITA

    DINAMITA Guest

    I agree. Although B-Hop is just as effective as Toney in terms of defence, in my eyes his defensive methods are not as intuitive or skilled as James's, who can stand in range all night and never take flush shots. Considering Toney didn't really have the athletic abilities of a Jones or a Mayweather to help him elude punches, he really is a Grand Master of the art of defence.
     
    DINAMITA, May 20, 2009
    DINAMITA, May 20, 2009
    #17
  3. DINAMITA

    DINAMITA Guest

    I see what you're saying, but comparatively landing 50% percent over 12 rounds is excellent at world title level, especially considering Jirov had a strong amateur background and had all the physical advantages over Toney.
     
    DINAMITA, May 20, 2009
    DINAMITA, May 20, 2009
    #18
  4. DINAMITA

    DINAMITA Guest

    A very good and sorely overlooked point. So many times I have seen people give the blunt answer "Footwork" when they are asked to explain why they think Toney would lose to fighter x. Toney's footwork at his peak was far better than he was given credit for, primarily because his footwork these days is cumbersome and because Jones made a weight-drained version look like he was wearing lead boots. In fights such as the first McCallum fight (absolutely all-round superb performance from JT), Toney's footwork was very good. True, he didn't have the speed of Roy Jones or the grace of Floyd Mayweather, but he was resourceful, assured, and effective.
     
    DINAMITA, May 20, 2009
    DINAMITA, May 20, 2009
    #19
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