would calzaghe have beaten a prime james toney at 168lb

Yes

Eubank and Benn would as well.

 

ESB calling Betty Swollocks , come in Betty Swollocks...

 

Depends which Toney shows up, Calzaghe would thrash Toney if he was in the kind of condition of for example the Thadzi or Jones fights. If Toney shows up like he did against Barkely or McCallum he wins a close one over Calzaghe on clean punching, outboxes Eubank, tko's Benn.
Beeston you're selling Toney very short. His Record speaks for itself and it's streets ahead of those of the three brits.

 

Calzaghe beats Toney.

Toney always has been a flatfooted stationary fighter. He relies on his shell more than movement, which makes it easy for Calzaghe to establish a jab and flurry him whilst he covers up. He wouldn't be doing much damage but he'd be winning rounds.

Toney is a great mid range counterpuncher and inside fighter, he'd have his moments too. He's not good from range like people think.

 

He is brilliant at getting close though and especially at getting his opponent to fight his fight. If Hopkins can make Joe lose his head and brawl then Toney certainly can

 

I'm not sure it's possible for Toney to show up as out of shape as against Thadzi (where he missed the LHW limit by four pounds on the third weigh) and for the hypothetical fight to be at SMW.

 

Was that at light heavy? always thought it was super mid. Ah well live and learn. you get the point anyway (nitpicker).

 

Very good fight prime for prime. I would definetly say that Joe could beat a top version of Toney. Shame we never got to see it. The fight could have gone either way.

 

yes. i used to question jc's ability against skilled defensive guys who could bring him forward and make him miss. he has shown now that he has no problem improvising, adapting and overcoming. jc is too active for toney. he'd do to him what he did to x and rjj. mind you toney v barkley was sensational stuff. activity alone wouldnt do it. it would be the consistency of his work, his smarts, his punches in punches and is complete and utter disdain for losing.

 

Too true, this is a reason Toney and his mate Roy ran off to fight at other weights.

 

In my view Toney would have stopped Calzaghe and done a job on him.

 

Toney loves it on the ropes. Calzaghe would get him there, throw a high volume of shots with little power on them and Toney would hit him with perfect counters. Calzaghe was dropped by old versions of Jones and Hopkins so I'd expect him to be down several times against a prime Toney, leading to a points loss.

 

Either Toney enjoys all the openings, and counters all night, or Joe's movement gets the better of him.

If I was betting, and the odds were evens I'd put my money on Toney.

 

Eubank you know fully to well you wanted no part of James.