Wilfred Benitez or James Toney For me, it was James Toney because he whipped the great Michael Nunn, showing great tenacity in doing so I also thought he got the better of McCallum in fight one I heard all this time that he was a starving fighter This content is protected I love this fat lazy slob
Benitez lacked Toney’s longevity and was burnt out by his mid 20s but he before that he shone like a star, becoming the youngest ever winner of a version of the world title at 17 and a three weight world title holder by the time he was 22.
As much as I like Toney, he was skipping school and beating kids up for their lunch money at an age where Wilfred was dethroning a legend for his first world title. Benitez was a shooting star who burned brightly before he fizzled out. His heights were greater than James’ were, but James did have longevity and some nice wins across multiple weight classes as he trained at the donut factory. I think Wilfred was the greater fighter by a slim but comfortable margin.
I had Benitez losing to Curry on the ten point must system. He lost big to Leonard and Hearns and beat a version of Duran who wasn't a year off losing to Kirkland but still only two years after "No Mas" That is his peak. Toney beat world level and elite guys from Middle to Heavy even past his best days. Jirov, Bodysnatcher, Old Vander, Rahman, Nunn, Reggie Johnson, ect, ect. IMO Toney is the clear pick.
Then the same can be said for Kirkland Laing's win over Duran because it took place that same year The Duran of 1982 just wasnt that good I rank James' win over unbeaten Nunn well above Wilfred's win over overweight, unmotivated Duran
neither can I see Wilfred putting McCallum to the test that James gave him in 1991, having him reeling in the final round. Wilfred isnt assertive enough
