Maybe this isn't the time to ask as Rahman/Toney is fresh on the minds of guys who don't support Toney.
But this question is based on his ENTIRE career.
He began at Middleweight and will end at Heavyweight. However he has shown his worth in every weight class he has fought in. Of course his worth at Middleweight and Super Middleweight is known, his worth at Crusierweight is known, then he has shown that despite his short stature and Santa Clause belly, he can "hang" with true Heavyweights.
Again this is NOT just about Rahman/Toney...so please don't just base it on that. I am a huge Toney fan and feel he lost, but in the end, once again, Toney's skill keeps him from getting hit cleanly by Rahman, he was able to take some hell of body shots by Rahman, was able to be physical with Rahman on the inside. He did the same with Holyfield, Booker, Guinn, and Ruiz.
I think overall Toney has consistently fought quality opposition and some of the best in every weight class.
He does crafty things in there that seem so simple (turn his body to roll jabs and right hands, counters with right hands, throws one-two's mostly, and just lazes on the ropes), but he is so relaxed and comfortable.
Last night that comfortableness combined with being completely out of shape had more of an impact than some of us thought it would.
But overall, we don't get many fights like Toney and fan or not, the man should be appreciated.
dont know who sanderline was, forgot about the prince my bad on that, and i was gonna put tony but i really dont know anything about how tough he was or not
Sanderline was the gatekeeper for worldclass middle weights, thats the impression i get on the fights i have. he was always competitive with worldclass middles. he outfoxed JT the first time, too experienced,
Thornton the postman was clearly robbed against Doug DeWitt & Steve Collins, Collins came out of the fight with two cut eyes & a cut behind the ear. the only other fights i have of Thorntons are against Eubank & Toney, & he got through with the big right hand alot on both of them. believe it or not, Thornton employed Bernard Hopkins as sparring partner!
Sanderline & Tony T- two very underrated middles
U forgot Prince Charles Williams ? even Sanderline Williams was a real test for every top class fighter in all the fights i have on DVD with him on,
Tony Thornton was a legit tough contender.
& u cant count the third Mccallum fight, Mike was 10 yrs past his peak man ?
dont know who sanderline was, forgot about the prince my bad on that, and i was gonna put tony but i really dont know anything about how tough he was or not
toneys record good/great wins
First person to beat Merqui Sosa by SD
KO'd the p4p number 1 guy Nunn
beat reggie johnson by SD toney down for the first time in his career
draw with mike mccallum
then a MD win vs mccallum
KO'd iran barkley
KO'd tim littles who was unbeaten at the time in 4 (for a side note, tim beat our own iceman john scully by a PTS 12 :) )
then beat mike mccallum again
then beat jirov
holyfield
pretty good record i should say not the best but damn good, been down twice both flash or off balance KD's in 77 fights, one of the best defences i have seen and a really smart fighter
U forgot Prince Charles Williams ? even Sanderline Williams was a real test for every top class fighter in all the fights i have on DVD with him on,
Tony Thornton was a legit tough contender.
& u cant count the third Mccallum fight, Mike was 10 yrs past his peak man ?
It depends on what list you're talking about. Top 10 all time? No. Top 50? Sure.
People can say what they want about him not being a Heavyweight, but he's up 60 - 80 pounds from where he won his first title, and he's fighting legit Heavyweights who don't want to come forward to fight him, or load up on a power shot in fear of getting counterd.
The way JT had guys like Ruiz and Rahman hesitant to fight him speaks for itself.
toneys record good/great wins
First person to beat Merqui Sosa by SD
KO'd the p4p number 1 guy Nunn
beat reggie johnson by SD toney down for the first time in his career
draw with mike mccallum
then a MD win vs mccallum
KO'd iran barkley
KO'd tim littles who was unbeaten at the time in 4 (for a side note, tim beat our own iceman john scully by a PTS 12 :) )
then beat mike mccallum again
then beat jirov
holyfield
pretty good record i should say not the best but damn good, been down twice both flash or off balance KD's in 77 fights, one of the best defences i have seen and a really smart fighter
Well, really, any body who can go 24 rounds with a near prime Mike Mccallum & knockout Mike Nunn has to be considered a GREAT fighter, but 15 yrs later to beat the WBA heavy champ & draw with the WBC heavy champ is just amazin. his record is as good as anything, 60+ wins. wow.
You just mentioned Heavyweights...I am not listing Toney as some all around great Heavyweight...far from it...
this is just about being a great "FIGHTER" in the general sense...
is toney a "great fighter"?..... probly. but thats just my opinion.
You just mentioned Heavyweights...I am not listing Toney as some all around great Heavyweight...far from it...
this is just about being a great "FIGHTER" in the general sense...