How great was James Toney

[Brunswick Assassin]

James Toney is without doubt one of the greatest fighters to ever lace the gloves up! James has been a pro fighter 20 years plus and has won Titles from Middleweight all the way up to Heavyweight.

Toney's record speaks for itself. James is experienced against top opposition, and has fought former heavyweight world champions John Ruiz (W12 and Evander Holyfield (TKO9, also a former cruiserweight world champion); former cruiserweight world champions Vassiliy Jirov (W12) and Adolpho Washington (TKO10); former light heavyweight world champions Charles Williams (KO12), Mike McCallum three times (W12, W12, and D12, also a middleweight and jr. middleweight world champion), Iran Barkley (TKO9, also a super middleweight and middleweight world champion), and Reggie Johnson (W12, also a middleweight world champion); former super middleweight champions Steve Little (W12) and Michael Nunn (TKO11, also a middleweight world champion); and former middleweight world champion Doug DeWitt (TKO6).

James has also fought the same way from Middleweight all the way up to Heavyweight and that's staying toe to toe and making his opponents miss and punishing them with brutal counters. He can also explode and go after his opponent wanting to KO them (Toney v Delgado, Rush and Robinson are a few). James can fight going forwards, backwards and sidewards. Not many fighters can say that. James' defence is one of if not the best in the history of the sport. The man's never been knocked out and have never seen a mark on him except for the Littles fight when James got a nasty cut via headbutt.

James also has beaten fighters who were outstanding as amateurs which Toney beat were: Anthony Hembrick, Terry McGroom, Tim Littles, Michael Nunn, Evander Holyfield, Vassily Jirov, Ramon Garbey, Adolpho Washington, Mike McCallum, Ernest Mateen, Reggie Johnson, Arthur Willis, Dominick Guinn and Ron Amundsen. This is further testament to Toney's greatness as he took up Boxing in his late teens.

Today's champions are content to defend their World Title once every 6 months. James was the poster boy for active champion defending his Title once a month and always fighting often how the old timers did in the old days. The man's definitely a throwback and one of the most naturally talented fighters to walk thru the ropes with a chin made of granite. Toney's a fighter with great boxing skills and shows great courage fighting on the inside. Definite future Hall of Famer.

[BennyST]

Toney's record speaks for itself. James is experienced against top opposition, and has fought former heavyweight world champions John Ruiz (W12 and Evander Holyfield (TKO9, also a former cruiserweight world champion); former cruiserweight world champions Vassiliy Jirov (W12) and Adolpho Washington (TKO10); former light heavyweight world champions Charles Williams (KO12), Mike McCallum three times (W12, W12, and D12, also a middleweight and jr. middleweight world champion), Iran Barkley (TKO9, also a super middleweight and middleweight world champion), and Reggie Johnson (W12, also a middleweight world champion); former super middleweight champions Steve Little (W12) and Michael Nunn (TKO11, also a middleweight world champion); and former middleweight world champion Doug DeWitt (TKO6).

Not only MW and SMW, but also a light-heavyweight champ and won a minor heavyweight title against the former HW champion of the world Gerrie Coetzee. He was pretty done when Toney got him, but it was still a great win and a brutal one at that.

DK man, I still don't understand how you see that first McCallum fight as anything other than a win for Toney. I really thought it was clear as day that he won that fight and I simply cannot see any other possibility.

Do you wanna just give us a rundown of what you think about it and how McCallum could have won mate? I would love to check it out and try to compare where we differ. McCallum is one of my all time favourites and even giving him as many rounds as possible, which I did, I couldn't honestly have him winning.

How about we both go watch it again and suss it out, because I've always been amazingly confused about this fight and how some people saw it as anything other than a Toney win. I'm either missing something entirely, which is why I would love to compare notes, or I'm just insane.



What do you think?

Anyone else that has a view on this fight, I would live to hear it also. How did you score the first fight between James Toney and Mike McCallum? Do you think the draw was just? Do you think McCallum was robbed and should have won it (well, let's keep the NSB 'robbery' cries out of it because that fight was in no way a robbery of any kind)? Or, do you think Toney was screwed out of it by the draw and should have won?

Let's hear it folks!

[sonnyboyx2]

James Toney is without doubt one of the greatest fighters to ever lace the gloves up! James has been a pro fighter 20 years plus and has won Titles from Middleweight all the way up to Heavyweight.

Toney's record speaks for itself. James is experienced against top opposition, and has fought former heavyweight world champions John Ruiz (W12 and Evander Holyfield (TKO9, also a former cruiserweight world champion); former cruiserweight world champions Vassiliy Jirov (W12) and Adolpho Washington (TKO10); former light heavyweight world champions Charles Williams (KO12), Mike McCallum three times (W12, W12, and D12, also a middleweight and jr. middleweight world champion), Iran Barkley (TKO9, also a super middleweight and middleweight world champion), and Reggie Johnson (W12, also a middleweight world champion); former super middleweight champions Steve Little (W12) and Michael Nunn (TKO11, also a middleweight world champion); and former middleweight world champion Doug DeWitt (TKO6).

James has also fought the same way from Middleweight all the way up to Heavyweight and that's staying toe to toe and making his opponents miss and punishing them with brutal counters. He can also explode and go after his opponent wanting to KO them (Toney v Delgado, Rush and Robinson are a few). James can fight going forwards, backwards and sidewards. Not many fighters can say that. James' defence is one of if not the best in the history of the sport. The man's never been knocked out and have never seen a mark on him except for the Littles fight when James got a nasty cut via headbutt.

James also has beaten fighters who were outstanding as amateurs which Toney beat were: Anthony Hembrick, Terry McGroom, Tim Littles, Michael Nunn, Evander Holyfield, Vassily Jirov, Ramon Garbey, Adolpho Washington, Mike McCallum, Ernest Mateen, Reggie Johnson, Arthur Willis, Dominick Guinn and Ron Amundsen. This is further testament to Toney's greatness as he took up Boxing in his late teens.

Today's champions are content to defend their World Title once every 6 months. James was the poster boy for active champion defending his Title once a month and always fighting often how the old timers did in the old days. The man's definitely a throwback and one of the most naturally talented fighters to walk thru the ropes with a chin made of granite. Toney's a fighter with great boxing skills and shows great courage fighting on the inside. Definite future Hall of Famer.

i have been saying this for years.. thanks for putting it in words for me bro.

[ufirst]

Toney is a strange one, he has had a long and pretty successful career but I always kind of feel a bit cheated by him

"saddest thing in the world is wasted talent..." and while Toney's wasn't exactly wasted (has had a great career) I shudder to think what he would've been with the discipline (roadwork) & drive to train hard.

[Dynamite Kid]

DK man, I still don't understand how you see that first McCallum fight as anything other than a win for Toney. I really thought it was clear as day that he won that fight and I simply cannot see any other possibility.

Do you wanna just give us a rundown of what you think about it and how McCallum could have won mate? I would love to check it out and try to compare where we differ. McCallum is one of my all time favourites and even giving him as many rounds as possible, which I did, I couldn't honestly have him winning.

How about we both go watch it again and suss it out, because I've always been amazingly confused about this fight and how some people saw it as anything other than a Toney win. I'm either missing something entirely, which is why I would love to compare notes, or I'm just insane.



What do you think?

Anyone else that has a view on this fight, I would live to hear it also. How did you score the first fight between James Toney and Mike McCallum? Do you think the draw was just? Do you think McCallum was robbed and should have won it (well, let's keep the NSB 'robbery' cries out of it because that fight was in no way a robbery of any kind)? Or, do you think Toney was screwed out of it by the draw and should have won?

Let's hear it folks!

BennyST i watched the Skysports version of the fight and they (Ian Darke) were talking like it was a pretty even fight, so i guess i could of easily have been ****** into thinking McCallum was doing better than he was, that said from what i remember McCallum was pretty consistent with the jab throughout in both fights, however im not dead set against going back and scoring!! the fight to get a more accurate perspective, its quite possible that i got the wrong impression through watching the Skysports telecast and not scoring it. I have a feeling if i do go back and score it will probably agree with you though lol

I have the HBO telecast of it now, so i might also get a different perspective through that.

Im prepared to watch it again tonight so if you want to compare thats cool with me bud.

[Brunswick Assassin]

Not only MW and SMW, but also a light-heavyweight champ and won a minor heavyweight title against the former HW champion of the world Gerrie Coetzee. He was pretty done when Toney got him, but it was still a great win and a brutal one at that.

DK man, I still don't understand how you see that first McCallum fight as anything other than a win for Toney. I really thought it was clear as day that he won that fight and I simply cannot see any other possibility.

Do you wanna just give us a rundown of what you think about it and how McCallum could have won mate? I would love to check it out and try to compare where we differ. McCallum is one of my all time favourites and even giving him as many rounds as possible, which I did, I couldn't honestly have him winning.

How about we both go watch it again and suss it out, because I've always been amazingly confused about this fight and how some people saw it as anything other than a Toney win. I'm either missing something entirely, which is why I would love to compare notes, or I'm just insane.



What do you think?

Anyone else that has a view on this fight, I would live to hear it also. How did you score the first fight between James Toney and Mike McCallum? Do you think the draw was just? Do you think McCallum was robbed and should have won it (well, let's keep the NSB 'robbery' cries out of it because that fight was in no way a robbery of any kind)? Or, do you think Toney was screwed out of it by the draw and should have won?

Let's hear it folks!

Haven't watched Toney v Mc Callum I in a while but will sit down and watch it again. From what I can recall Toney won that fight. Wasn't ccomplete domination bt any stretch but Toney deserved a UD verdict in his favor. Toney did land the harder more accurate shots and looked to have McCallum hurt on several occasions.

Mike "The Body Snatcher" Mc Callum is one of the most underrated fighters in Boxing history. He's another fighter from the old school! Guy's never been knocked out and is a superb boxer puncher and his body shots were awesome. Toney has said that Mc Callum's his toughest opponent and is the fighter he had most respect for out of all his opponents faced. Their trilogy of fights are real wars and great viewing.

Mc Callum's performance against Jeff Harding for Light Heavy Title was World class.

[Dynamite Kid]

Haven't watched Toney v Mc Callum I in a while but will sit down and watch it again. From what I can recall Toney won that fight. Wasn't ccomplete domination bt any stretch but Toney deserved a UD verdict in his favor. Toney did land the harder more accurate shots and looked to have McCallum hurt on several occasions.

Mike "The Body Snatcher" Mc Callum is one of the most underrated fighters in Boxing history. He's another fighter from the old school! Guy's never been knocked out and is a superb boxer puncher and his body shots were awesome. Toney has said that Mc Callum's his toughest opponent and is the fighter he had most respect for out of all his opponents faced. Their trilogy of fights are real wars and great viewing.

Mc Callum's performance against Jeff Harding for Light Heavy Title was World class.

Mc Callum's performance against Jeff Harding for Light Heavy Title was World class.
__________________

I love that fight, great fight.

People like to think McCallum could not handle pressure but who puts on the pressure Harding puts on, he still got countered to ****.

[ironalex]

The best version of James Toney would never be an easy fight for anyone

I agree, James Toney is an ATG.

[Brunswick Assassin]

Watched Toney v Mc Callum I today and scored the fight 117 for Toney and 110 for Mc Callum. How two of the judges gave it 115 - 113 Mc Callum and 114 Draw is bewildering.

Gave Toney every round except for the first, seventh and ninth scored for Mc Callum. McCallum got first round being the busier fighter. Gave Toney 2nd as he started to assert his authority. Mc Callum was lucky to not have been given a count in the second after being dropped by Toney. Toney did much of the same as round 2 and scored it for Toney. Round 4 was a brilliant round for Toney hurting Mc Callum several times. Give a lot of credit to Mike who always came straight back like a champion landing his own counters and throwing flurries.

Gave Toney rounds 5 and 6 for pressing the action and landing the harder shots. Mc Callum's busy work rate would have given the judges a few headaches but Toney was more effective with his shots. Mc Callum took the seventh after coming to life and sealed the round with a late flurry in the round.

Gave Toney the eighth. At this point Mc Callum's punches were losing steam and resorted to throwing wild haymakers. The ninth was a tight affair with the round going either way but gave it to Mc Callum for pressing the action. Tenth round could have been scored 10-8 for Toney who dominated Mc Callum. The 11th was a close affair with Mc Callum looking like he had the round in the bag when Toney stole the round with late flurry. Toney was merely saving himself for the final round.

The twelfth was one of, if not Toney's best round of the entire fight. Toney beat Mc Callum up bad at midway point and the last 10 seconds Toney came close to stopping Mc Callum who did a little 'Castillo wobble' on the ropes.

Give a lot of credit who fought at such a fast pace considering he was in his mid 30s fighting at SMW. Fight would have been something even more special had they both been in their mid 20s.

[Adamantium]

"saddest thing in the world is wasted talent..." and while Toney's wasn't exactly wasted (has had a great career) I shudder to think what he would've been with the discipline (roadwork) & drive to train hard.

I agree, if he had more discipline he could of been in the top 40 atg list.