Who had the better boxing skills ?... Hopkins or Toney ?

Aye. Hopkins was substantially better at integrating offense with defense. He had more ways to go about defeating his opponent, and the difference in footwork is far greater than the difference in in-fighting. Purely on technical and tactical skills, I'd say Hopkins is in the 2nd or 3rd tier of elite ATG's. Not quite in the Robinson, Duran, Whitaker kind of class, but just below it. He was about as technically complete as they come. I would not say the same for Toney, who could look sublime against some styles but relatively one-dimensional against others.

 

Exactly right my friend :good

 

If they were both to pick the style they were best with and go with that alone, maybe Toney would be a better fighter. But, all-around, I'd have to go with Hopkins. I'm not a big Hopkins fan, and I've felt he's been getting overrated on longevity (albeit incredible longevity) for years, and Toney is one of my top 5-10 favourite fighters of all time. But I'd have to go with Hopkins. And, no, I'm not talking about greatness or dedication or anything like that. But, just as you asked, skill. I go with Hopkins. I greatly prefer to watch Toney's style than what Hopkins normally does, but Hopkins does have that ability to adapt and switch methods at a high level. It's significant enough for me to pick him.


...If the river was whiskey, and I was a diving duck. Lord, I'd dive to the bottom and never come back up. :sad2

 

Hopkins definitely. Toney was flashier because he was the superior athlete but he really only had better speed. Outside Hopkins is better, better combos, better footwork and better lead punches. Defense is basically even. So BHops imo

 

i think toney gets the nod over hopkins hopkins was a bit more of a spoiler toney is the better counter puncher & inside fighter hopkins is more hit & hold or hold & hit on the break but james was not dedicated enough so never got to see his best i think. but both are great fighters. cheers guys

 

^^^^ this. To me, Toney's ability seems more intuitive and related to his innate athleticism. IIrc, Toney was some kind of HS football star wasn't he?

Hopkins' game seems more to be the product of calculation and practice and then cool-headed execution under fire.

 

Toney

 

:smoke

 

Toney had mad skills, the Barkley fight was something to behold.
Head movement, side to side, all kinds of combos.

He made Barkley miss so many times it was unreal. Stayed in the pocket and beat Barkley up.

Hopkins has a way of nullifying his opponents best assests which cannot be ignored. But I think prime vs prime Toney gets my vote.

 

James Toney not to take anything away from Hopkins

 

I put them on the same level because it's impossible to distinguish the two regarding who was the better fighter, despite their tremendous style differences.

 

I think Toney was more skillfull but Hopkins was cannier

 

james toney by far had the better skills hopkins, in offense and defense. toney always came up short when it came to staying in shape even in his middle weight days he had stamina and problems making weight. so hopkins beats him by a mile in that department the
both had showed great chins and heart so thats were they are equal and probably equal in there ring iq as well.but james toney is the better boxer.

just want say chad dawson is the better boxer between him and ward as well.