what if: James Toney vs. Joe Calzaghe @ 168 (Prime for prime)

[Fox McCloud]

Another thing to keep in mind.

Toney always fought down to the level of his opponent.

With Joe's heart, desire and general skills of adaptation (meaning he usually is doing better at the end of the fight than he was at the beginning), it is not inconceivable that he could steal away the last few rounds in a fight that Toney kept close by not stepping it up.

Toney was a great fighter, no doubt, but there definately were some things going on there that a fighter who can adapt as well as Joe Calzaghe could take advantage of.

How many draws and split decisions did Toney have before he ran into Jones? More than a few to say the least.

[GodOfWar]

The fact Calzaghe is white he'd automatically lose this fight.... Get real Toney was no god, he was exposed by Roy Jones Jr.

[Technical_Skill]

Isn't it possible that people overrate James Toney's defense? Michael Nunn certainly was doing well against him.

And Toney's big claim to fame was ****ing Barkley up at 168, but in reality, was Barkley really anything more than a slugger that would be perfect for Toney's defense?

Good question,

Nunn couldnt land on Toney, the judging of that fight was disgusting, toney hurt him several times and constenly evaded nunns flicker jab, eventually the body shots and vicous right hands caught up with nunn, and toney brutally knocked him out.

Ps, toney was about 22 at the time i think, and nunn was considered by some the best fighter on the planet.

Calzaghe aint got a jab that can trouble toney, and all that jumping in unprotected with wide angle punches.....

Toney would see that all day long, see how hopkins had calzaghe down, toney had savage power at this weight. Calzaghe would be getting hit everywhere, inside with right hooks to the body, right hand counters the lot.

Inside or outside, toney all day.

[TheGreatA]

Out of shape Toney loses, in shape Toney wins.


Here's Toney vs Tim Littles.


Toney vs Jirov at CW. Jirov threw a 1000 punches.


Toney was not a huge puncher but everyone at lower weights respected his counter punching and he could still compete at HW even though he lacked HW power.

[Fox McCloud]

The fact Calzaghe is white he'd automatically lose this fight.... Get real Toney was no god, he was exposed by Roy Jones Jr.

Why do one of you European fanboys ALWAYS have to ****ing bring that **** in every discussion? Seriously!

I'm white, and I'm secure enough to realize that fighters that have the same levels of pigment as I do have their flaws, and I don't flip **** when other posters bring them up. Maybe you should follow my lead.

[RichCCFC]

Joe Calzaghe UD.

[NeXt In Line]

It depends on a few things:

Are Joe's hands brittle when they fight?
Has Toney had trouble making the weight?
Has Joe had trouble making the weight?

[Jim Jeffries]

Depends on which Toney shows up.

[Bad_Barracuda]

Honestly, i think Calzaghe is smarter then toney ever has been in his entire career. Toney was naturally gifted at 168, but he never seemed like an intelligent human bein to me personally. Brain vs Brain, I'd have to side with Calzaghe out smarting Toney.

Toney is far smarter in the ring than Joe could ever dream to be..

He's so slick he'd have Joe walking into all kinds of ****** punches..and HURTING him..

Joe spent his prime in WBO wasteland fighting the likes of Mario Veit and the dreaded Tokker Pudwell..

Toney spent his prime winning REAL Titles against real comp..

If Joe had the goods to beat the likes of Toney he would have done so..there's a REASON he stayed away from the real comp..

Joe is not the bravest of prizefighters.

[RichCCFC]

A lot of people rate Toney really high, but personally I think Roy Jones, Joe Calzaghe and Bernard Hopkins in thier primes would all beat him.