Who is more skilled at their best ?... TONEY or HOPKINS ?

Hopkins and its not even close

 

Hopkins for me. Toney was more flashy but Hopkins was more versatile imo.

 

Said it before I could...nice post bro!!!

 

a fight now would be fun..its a tuff call id say there both as skilled as it gets.

 

One question for all of the posters picking Toney...

Could any of you name 5 things he does better than Bernard inside the ring? No disrespect, but I can name 10 Bernard does better.

 

Hopkins was much more well rounded. Toney only has the aesthetic appeal of the shoulder roll going for him (novelty value).

 

- better combination puncher
- more power in my opinion
- better inside fighter
- goes to the body better
- more volume, throws more punches
- tougher and more durable in my opinion

Obviously he's not as good a mover

 

I agree with a lot of this. People forget that Toney had a lot more pop when he was lighter. I think Toney had a lot more natural ability. On the other hand, BHop was always a much better and smarter fighter; if you take Hopkins' lack of innate athleticism as compared with the other stars of his generation, his intelligence and iron willed determination really start to shine through as a big part of what have sustained his career for so long.

 

toney got more of it bro. he made a tougher metal too

 

Hopkins easily,Hopkins was a master at his craft,super great defense and a great offense as well

 

Hopkins; it's not close. Toney does what he does really well, but Hopkins does EVERYTHING well. Hopkins can fight effectively at all ranges, while Toney can only fight at close range.

 

Agreed with most all of this also he's much better at slipping and countering ....It goes down as for me though I can't honestly say with any certainty who I think would win if they fought eachother at middleweight It's IMO 50/50.

 

Hopkins

 

Two different but very effective styles of the sweet science. Both among the best at hitting while avoiding being hit. For me Toney's style is more satisfying to watch because it begets more action and potential for that "lights out" knockout everyone wants to see.

 

I disagree that he was more durable...why because he went to HW? Hopkins has been down twice in his entire career...James was KD'd more in just the Jones fight. On top of that, toughness is not just physical, but mental as well...and a fighter who lacks the dedication Toney does in no way can compete with the mental toughness of a Bernard Hopkins.

Now, for Hopkins...

1- Footwork
2- In and out Movement
3- Lateral Movement
4- Ring Intellect
5- Fitness and dedication
6- Stamina (remember, a PRIME Hopkins was a fighter who NEVER tired...Toney, even a PRIME Toney...well, you just never knew what you were getting from night to night).
7- Accuracy
8- Timing
9- Controlling distance
10- Ring Generalship
11- Hand speed
12- Defense (razor thin on this, as James defense was also stellar)
13- Head Movement (same as defense, as Hopkins was an absolute master at moving just enough to dodge a punch, but still stay in perfect position to counter...and James is a master at rolling away from punches).
14- Consistancy
15- Use of angles

Two of these are arguable...just as two of the 5 that were posted of James were as well (a PRIME Hopkins was a ****ing buzzsaw and threw a TON of punches...Toney had some fights like the Jirov fight where he did as well, but they were very few and very far between). But I am sorry, Toney was not near as well rounded, as versatile or as skilled as Bernard Hopkins. This isnt a disrespect to the man as a fighter, its just a reality.