Hopkins or Toney - who was better?

[IronDanHamza]

The "out of shape" excuse is a really lazy one imo. I refuse to buy into it for anyone.

Dave Tiberi; He'd outgrown the divison, he was out of shape.

Same year had his best ever performance at the same weight against McCallum (even though it was a draw)

1991; Merqui Sosa, completely gasses second half of the fight, makes what started off as an easy fight turn into a hard fought split decision.

He's drained

Later same year fights Nunn, gets schooled for the majority of the fight until he forced the stoppage. But because he got the KO - Not drained. Toney's back.

Later the SAME year, fights Reggie Johnson and gets outboxed, dropped and outright embarrassed at times especially the first 6 rounds. Gets a gift SD. DRAINED!

1994 - Knocks out Prince Charles - JAMES TONEY IS P4P #1!!!

Later same year - Gets treated like a new born baby by Roy Jones - MOST DRAINED A FIGHTER HAS EVER BEEN.

[bojangles1987]

He's cute and creative in the pocket and it's fun to watch. But they ignore every other aspect of his skills and his career.

Reminds me of Zab Judah and his infamous uppercut and his lack of motivation. He had a pretty counter left uppercut but outside of that he was an average fighter and choked in his biggest fights. But with Zab it was always "if he lands the uppercut" or "if he can not be a mental midget."

Khan's handspeed, Judah's uppercut and Toney's inside game.

Crap, now I'm imagining a thread like this in 10 years asking about Judah and someone like Shane Mosley, where I'll be going nuts about people thinking "prime Judah" was better.

[therealpugilist]

Hopkins never fought above 175 so is fantasy to say he couldn't compete above there.

Fantasy...That reminds me of someone's career.

Plus, give Hopkins a nice batch of steroids I'm sure he could move up and lose twice to Sam Peter.

He didn't prove it in the ring, fact.

He did noting in the ring to suggest he could even compete with Hopkins let alone beat him.

its an opinion....this is a boxing forum...its opinion based

Hopkins never beat anyone as good as nunn, mike mcallum or anyone as dangeorus as Jirov or some of the heavies he competed with

different strokes, different folks

Hopkins Had to fight people when he had advantages if they were a big name....he couldve fought Winky at 160 years prior when both held titles at 154 and 160...instead at 170....fights Pavlik at 170, he never fought there

but the great sergundo mercardo had to be fought twice for him to gain a title


like I said styles make fights.....Jermain taylor had his number yet lost to supposedly lesser fighters than Hopkins....abraham and pavlik

He couldnt beat Headcase chad dawson and flopped like he was in the nba


Hopkins is a great fighter but the same stylistic issues Toney had....dealing with speed, activity and movement....Hopkins had

Toney fought tougher opposition as well.

You like Hopkins, good for you...doesnt change the fact everyone is entitled to their own opinion...if it was a "fact" the poll wouldnt be as close as it is

your opinion isnt a fact..move on

[-PBP-]

Crap, now I'm imagining a thread like this in 10 years asking about Judah and someone like Shane Mosley, where I'll be going nuts about people thinking "prime Judah" was better.

"Judah was the undisputed welterweight champion. He gave Floyd Mayweather his toughest fight and dominated the first 6 rounds. His uppercut was ****ing sick!!! He would be a top 5 ATG if he was more disciplined."

[Da7thsign]

I still think there is no better fighter than James Toney. If you put Hopkins dedication and dicipline in Toneys body, that may have been the greatest ever. No disrespect to Ali or Robinson or even Mayweather. But James was just too damn naturally gifted at fighting that he didnt give a **** about training or keeping in shape. I didnt have a read through the whole thread, but im sure there was many posts who have said the same thing I just did

[TOBYLEE1]

Skill wise: Toney

Career wise: Hopkins

You only could had wish that Toney had the professionalism that Hopkins has

[Mr.MojoRisin']

Hopkins never juiced to get to where he got.

[champion4ever]

When I think of James Toney, I can't think of no other talent of such utter tragedy and human waste as James Toney's career. He had all the tools, makings and potential of being an all-time great but let himself go between fights.

His victories over Michael Nunn and Iran Barkley for the middleweight and Super middleweight titles were both monumental. However, his penchant for partying and fast-living, finally started to catch up to him and aged him and helped ruined what was left of a once promising career. His prime was over at the tender age of 26.

Moreover, it cost him $Millions in the long run. I mean he ate himself out of several weight divisions for his laziness and lack of work ethic, commitment and dedication to the sport.

[Left Hook Tua]

Yeah Hopkins didn't roid.

He just used hgh to age better.

[IronDanHamza]

Yeah Hopkins didn't roid.

He just used hgh to age better.

Speculation.

Toney tested positive unlike Hopkins.