marquez he can mix it both offensively (great combinations,footwork,good power,fast hands and extremely tough) and also has a great defense when he wants too toney was, as everyone knows, one of the best defensive fighters ever...but he was very good in the pocket,dangerous right hands,iron chin these two are level in talent- marquez could do most of what toney could and vice versa what separates them is their commitment and longevity....look at marquez at 38: immaculate condition,still highly skilled and he has only suffered one decisive defeat (in special circumstances) look at toney when he was 38...........
I vote Marquez. In terms of pure skill and natural talent, Toney is probably slightly ahead. They're both tremendous counter-punchers although they go about it in different ways. They both like to fight in punching range, make you miss and make you pay. Toney does it more with the shoulder-roll while Marquez uses more waist movement. They both had good defences but were willing to get hit to get their shots off. JMM has an excellent chin but James has one of the best in boxing history. At his best, when James threw combinations (like against Barkley) he was electrifying. Marquez though, was more consistent with his combos, which are/were textbook. JMM deserves extra points for not wasting his talent - he always trained hard and brought it when the bell rang. He was never out-worked by lesser fighters and has consistently performed at the highest level while getting older and fighting bigger men.
Imo its Toney - Best defence of all time,inside fighting,iron chin,power (Rocking heavyweights) But like the first guy said Marquez has good defence when he wants to use it,Best combonations today,hand speed,underatted chin and full of heart. Both very good counter punchers and can outbrawl brawlers too.
Def. Marquez in my opinion, the guy is one of the best in adapting and even when his opponents have an advantage over him with speed, defense, or even power Marquez seems to always find a way winning in great fashion. Even at his age is still top P4P with other fighters. Toney will always be known for his defense and of course his mouth and we cant forget his chin. Toney has not really accomplsih anything since hes move up to heavyweight and we cant forget those embarrasing loses to Peter He still believes his defense and not getting KO/stop wins him fights. Marquez in the other hand has shown us that their always a way to win even when the other fighter seems to have all advantages in all areas. At the end you could never count out Marquez while Toney will still be Toney and just a circus attraction.
Toney got robbed against Peter in the first fight tho but yes he did lose the second fight He beat Evander Holyfield at heavyweight
I respect Marquez a lot but I think Toney edges it . Toney was never 3 times down in a round and was only rarely down actually (Reggie Johnson & Sam Peters (and Peters hit him with rabbit punches in that fight and Toney was old & quite shot by that time)) .
If you are basing this on skill it is toney no doubt, on that front he is on par with PBF and Bhop. However if you look at dedication along I would go with JMM. This is really a toss-up but Toney's skill is so great that i would have to go with him . . . unfortunately, its what have you done for me lately and people to forget greatness
I think people that pick Toney are not rating footwork. Even in his prime Toney had pretty average to poor footwork. To me that just edges it for Marquez. Toney had insane talent though such a shame he wasted it.
