Bernard Hopkins vs James Toney

[sonnyboyx2]

this would have been a fantastic match-up, who and how would it have panned-out if both was in their prime at middleweight

[Sugarj]

Tough one, you'd have to quote a year and weight too.

I'd edge Toney by decision in an early 90s encounter. But I'd say Hopkins peaked much later. Hell the man looked superb against Pavlik at 43!

[sonnyboyx2]

Tough one, you'd have to quote a year and weight too.

I'd edge Toney by decision in an early 90s encounter. But I'd say Hopkins peaked much later. Hell the man looked superb against Pavlik at 43!

yes Bhop looked great against Pavlik, but i dont go along with this line about a fighter peaked late or early etc..Mosley looked great against Margarito at age 38 but that dont mean he was at his peak.. BHop looked terrible against Calzaghe so its fair to say that against Pavlik Bhop was just the far superior class of fighter

[Southpaw16BF]

This was a fight that was close to happening in 2003. But both cound't come to a deal, which was a shame as it would of been one very interesting grudge match as both were not fond of each other.

Here they are on the front of Ring Magazine


Hopkins is a consummate boxer-puncher, equally adept at long range and on the inside, with quick feet, great strength, excellent combination punching, and a strong chin. He can fight dirty and can be a spoiler, when he feels like it, can hit hard and is very hard to hit cleanly. He is also a tricky old fox, and one of the most dedicated fighters ever to lace on the gloves.

Toney in his prime combined serious power with cute crafty skills and had a sound chin. He can mix it up on the inside, fight effectively off the ropes, jab and cross from the outside or counterpunch, and has the knack of slipping punchers with minimal effort. Toney also loves to study his old fight tapes, in which he says he has learnt alot from.

This fight in 2003 would of took place at Cruiserweight with Hopkins stepping up 3 divisions. Which would of been a risk. Both like to figure there opponets out, it could be a caution fight starting off.

Mid rounds is still pretty even, with both landing, this carries on as it goes to a razor thin decision, both think they have won. But Hopkins's workrate sley the Judges to give him a decision victory, Toney cry's robbery.

[Sugarj]

Yea, if it happened in 2003 I'd lean towards Hopkins at cruiserweight. Toney at this point was firmly a heavyweight and he never looked particularly lively when he struggled to make weight (thinking Jones/Griffin). I think he'd struggle to make cruiserweight!

Oh and Hi Sonnybox, I was so delighted with Mosley too when he fought Margarito, superb performance.....one I expected him to lose for the first time by stoppage! I'm sure that Hopkins and Mosley were trained by ****m Richardson (is that his name?) for their respective fights with Pavlik and Margarito. That guy deserves some credit, those oldies were amazing in those fights.....my two faves of recent times.

[RightCross94]

This fight would be very close, you are talking two of the smartest fighters to ever step in between the ropes

[Benncollinsaad]

The greatest fight that never happened. I got Toney winning on points. A prime Toney would school Hopkins big time.

[sonnyboyx2]

The greatest fight that never happened. I got Toney winning on points. A prime Toney would school Hopkins big time.

yes i kinda go along with you in that Toney beats any version of Hopkins

[Adamantium]

The greatest fight that never happened. I got Toney winning on points. A prime Toney would school Hopkins big time.

I completely agree with this comment. Toney's wins in my opinion are much better thay bhops. From a online Toney interview I read, Toney said that the contracts were all drawn up, Toney signed his but bhop backed out. Toney said it wasnt about the money because it would of been one of bhops biggest paydays, he said bhop never had any interest in fighting him in the first place and he was just bluffing when he called Toney out, when his bluffed got called he backed down.

[hookoutofhell]

I completely agree with this comment. Toney's wins in my opinion are much better thay bhops. From a online Toney interview I read, Toney said that the contracts were all drawn up, Toney signed his but bhop backed out. Toney said it wasnt about the money because it would of been one of bhops biggest paydays, he said bhop never had any interest in fighting him in the first place and he was just bluffing when he called Toney out, when his bluffed got called he backed down.

toney just has so much more in his locker than hopkins

hopkins is a good fighter with some skills but he doesn't come anywhere near toney whos an ATG. toney skills are extensive and go beyond spoiling and headbutting.

agree that hopkins talked alot of **** but never really backed it up, i remember when he was rumoured to fight calzaghe, i thought the fight was done and dusted only for b-hop to duck out of it when he saw what calz could do.

imo hopkins did the same thing with rjj, call him out but never really have any intention of fighting him. the only point to call him out was so that he could later on say that he had tried to make the fight.