Bernard Hopkins vs James Toney

[RightCross94]

A middleweight Toney beats Hopkins easily. A light heavyweight Toney would have problems with Hopkins, but he could beat him. If he stayed fit and focused.

Well as the Manchine said, in the early 90's at MW, Toney destroys Hopkins.

But in a mythical matchup, both in their prime forms, it's going to be a close, close fight either way

[BEEHOP]

BHOP by Decision. 115-113.

[GJC]

This would be some fight. I'm more of a Toney fan than Hopkins but I do think that Hopkins has consistantly utilised every ounce of his talent whereas I don't think the same can be said for Toney.
Prime v prime fantasy match i'd favour Toney, however if the fight had came around in reality from 96 onwards and I was having a bet i'd put my money on Hopkins.
Purely because I know that Hopkins will turn up in condition, ready and able to compete, Toney would be more of a gamble.

[ßringer]

Even now at the age of 44, Hopkins has so many more dimensions to his game than James Toney ever had.

I feel that that would be the biggest factor in deciding this one.

Strength, stamina, intelligence, footwork ; none of that matters if you're not smart enough to use it to your advantage.

And if history has shown us anything it's that Toney is easily controlled once he is taken out of his element and forced to fight the other man's fight.

Against Hopkins that would spell sure doom.

The man is a master of making his opponet fight his fight and taking away whatever their greatest asset in the ring may be.

I would pick Hopkins to beat Toney at Middleweight, Super Middleweight, and Light Heavyweight.

Probably Cruiserweight as well though I would have a bit more reservation about it.

[ßringer]

A middleweight Toney beats Hopkins easily.

Nobody not named "Jones" beats Hopkins easily.

I mean what really elite Middleweights did Bernard Hopkins beat ?

What elite Middleweights did Marvin Hagler beat?

[GJC]

Even now at the age of 44, Hopkins has so many more dimensions to his game than James Toney ever had.

I feel that that would be the biggest factor in deciding this one.

Strength, stamina, intelligence, footwork ; none of that matters if you're not smart enough to use it to your advantage.

And if history has shown us anything it's that Toney is easily controlled once he is taken out of his element and forced to fight the other man's fight.

Against Hopkins that would spell sure doom.

The man is a master of making his opponet fight his fight and taking away whatever their greatest asset in the ring may be.

I would pick Hopkins to beat Toney at Middleweight, Super Middleweight, and Light Heavyweight.

Probably Cruiserweight as well though I would have a bit more reservation about it.

I'm guessing you are a BHop fan on the quiet?

[ßringer]

I'm guessing you are a BHop fan on the quiet?

Shhhh!!!!!!!!!

Nobody is supposed to know that!

Honestly though I don't see Toney beating Hopkins, and I really don't see any of the fuss with Toney to begin with.

Regardless of his talents I don't know how anybody who is a fan of this sport could support a guy as lazy as Toney.

He doesn't even take it seriously enough to get in shape, let alone stay there.

[Dynamite Kid]

Even now at the age of 44, Hopkins has so many more dimensions to his game than James Toney ever had.

I feel that that would be the biggest factor in deciding this one.

Strength, stamina, intelligence, footwork ; none of that matters if you're not smart enough to use it to your advantage.

And if history has shown us anything it's that Toney is easily controlled once he is taken out of his element and forced to fight the other man's fight.

Against Hopkins that would spell sure doom.

The man is a master of making his opponet fight his fight and taking away whatever their greatest asset in the ring may be.

I would pick Hopkins to beat Toney at Middleweight, Super Middleweight, and Light Heavyweight.

Probably Cruiserweight as well though I would have a bit more reservation about it.

Great points!

Particularly these.

Strength, stamina, intelligence, footwork ; none of that matters if you're not smart enough to use it to your advantage.

And if history has shown us anything it's that Toney is easily controlled once he is taken out of his element and forced to fight the other man's fight.

[GJC]

Shhhh!!!!!!!!!

Nobody is supposed to know that!

Honestly though I don't see Toney beating Hopkins, and I really don't see any of the fuss with Toney to begin with.

Regardless of his talents I don't know how anybody who is a fan of this sport could support a guy as lazy as Toney.

He doesn't even take it seriously enough to get in shape, let alone stay there.

I think Toney was a very talented fighter and worth a fuss but then so is BHOP.
Incidently your secret is safe with me, I don't think any of the others will have figured it out yet I'm just instinctive like that
I agree with you though, one is dedicated and one has taken his talent for granted.
Prime v Prime it is a fight that I would love to see but as a throw up my pension money would go on Hopkins purely because I'd be sure of getting a run for my money.

[ßringer]

I think Toney was a very talented fighter and worth a fuss but then so is BHOP.
Incidently your secret is safe with me, I don't think any of the others will have figured it out yet I'm just instinctive like that
I agree with you though, one is dedicated and one has taken his talent for granted.
Prime v Prime it is a fight that I would love to see but as a throw up my pension money would go on Hopkins purely because I'd be sure of getting a run for my money.

Oh don't get me wrong ; Toney is plenty talented. His talents far outweight Hopkins' talents, IMO.

But it's Hopkins uncanny ability to maximize his talents while minimizing his opponets that makes me pick him against Toney.

Especially when I consider how inconsistent Toney can be and how he often struggles when he's not allowed to fight his style of fight.

There are plenty of guys whom I think can match Hopkins in the 160-175lbs range, historically. Toney just isn't one of them.