Why isn't RJJ's victory over James Toney more highly rated

I wonder what reason you could possibly have for denying this result. Hmmm I wonder indeed.

 

Yea, that fight never consistently comes up like the two aforementioned wins do. Because in the last 30 years, only twice has an ATG in their prime or super elite fighter in their prime been thoroughly dominated in the ring.

I see RJJ victory over Toney consistently lauded as a legendary.

 

It was a draw. It was only an unofficial win, not a real one

 

Pea dominated Chavez.

 

Hmmmm again I wonder what reason you would have, hnmmmm indeed.

 

The fact it was a draw? It wasn't a Whitaker win.

 

Hmmmm I bet if people thought Chavez was the one who had won and Whitaker was the one who had lost you'd be singing a different tune. Hmmm indeed.

 

Revisionist history. The first half of the fight was highly competitive with Chavez being the aggressor and landing with more authority and impact. Second half of the fight Whitaker is too slick. But never does he start busting up or hurting Chavez. It's important to remember, that it's a fight. It's not a ballet contest. To dominate your opponent is to physically beat him down.

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Nothing revisionist, it's how I see the fight when I watch it.

Physical beat downs? Did Jones beat down on Toney?

 

He knocked him down, won every single round, and didn't get hit with hard shots like Whitaker did, not to mention he made Toney back up.

 

He didn't beat him down though, which is what you said.

Pea - Chavez
Jones - Toney
Pac - MAB
Morales - Pac
Jones - Hopkins
Bowe - Holyfield
Rahman - Lewis

Probably more, but yeah an ATG losing in their prime will always be a special achievement.

 

Wasn't Jones fault Toney was a head case and didn't train to top condition prior to such a big fight. Jones gets credit for the win, but Toney clearly wasn't in top shape, had management and personal issues.
So yes there's a legitimate "Yeah but" in this case , but Jones did what he was supposed to do. Controlled what he could control.
Toneys lack of responsibility is clearly on him and his management team.

 

Ok how about this instead beatdown. He dominated Toney. He exerted total control and influence over the man in the ring. Whitaker did not do that to Chavez. He did not make him back up. He did not turn it into a one sided ass kicking because Whitakers pillow fists couldn't dent Chavez in the slightest.

 

Doesn't matter.

In terms of the best performances of the last 30 years I agree it should be when an ATG loses in their prime.

 

Well then Pac beat Marquez in his prime. Why isn't the win as highly regarded as his Barrera win? Because the manner of the victory does matter.