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

[slicksouthpaw16]

Like Toney did against Jones right? He lost AND looked ordinary.

Calzaghe at least won.

I know you're now going to say "but that was Jones, and Toney was out of shape etc etc."

Well I'm sorry, but you can't have one set of standards for one fighter and another for someone else.

You are completely ignoring my posts and only listening to what you want to. I have already explained how Toney proved his greatness by fighting the best opposition (a lot better than Calzaghe's) and have accomplished more in the sport. Calzaghe hasn't beaten half of the fighters that Toney has and if you say that just because he is unbeaten and Toney isn't is misleading. Why? because James fought in a more talented filled division and took the bigger risks. Again, thats like saying that Marciano is better than Ali because he retired unbeaten and Ali didn't, despite Ali fighting the better line of fighters and champions. Your bias for Calzaghe needs a little rethinking.

[abadger]

You are completely ignoring my posts and only listening to what you want to. I have already explained how Toney proved his greatness by fighting the best opposition (a lot better than Calzaghe's) and have accomplished more in the sport. Calzaghe hasn't beaten half of the fighters that Toney has and if you say that just because he is unbeaten and Toney isn't is misleading. Why? because James fought in a more talented filled division and took the bigger risks. Again, thats like saying that Marciano is better than Ali because he retired unbeaten and Ali didn't, despite Ali fighting the better line of fighters and champions. You bias for Calzaghe needs a little rethinking.

Prime for prime I pick Calzaghe. Someone else summed it up better than I have:

Of course he could. Tough fight to call. Toney can certainly be outboxed. Nunn gave him trouble until he got lazy and got caught. Griffin gave him all kinds of trouble, even though some don't like those scores, they were both close, close fights. Toney is not God. Joe's relentless workrate, handspeed, chin, etc.... Toney would not like the matchup, I assure you.

This poll is of course biased by the Hopkins performance. But I can also assure you that Toney wouldn't have an easy time with Hopkins, no matter when he fought him, and wouldn't look good, even if he won. Joe is not prime, and hasn't been for awhile. The Lacy performance was the last time you'll see a prime Joe, and even in that case, he had to turn back the clock because he hadn't looked that sharp in the fights leading up to Lacy. A prime v. prime, you're talking about an amazing fight. The people saying "Oh Toney easy" just don't know boxing, or have only seen Joe's last two fights and think he's in his prime now.

At the end of the day the fight can't happen and anything we say is just opinion. You have yours and I have mine. We've been going at it for pages on this thread, but I don't think we're going to find a solution.

Anyway, you deserve way more credit for your posts than I've given you, some of the most informed argument I've seen in a while, and of course its always good to argue without descending into abuse!

Cheers.
________
SUZUKI FR80

[slicksouthpaw16]

Prime for prime I pick Calzaghe. Someone else summed it up better than I have:



At the end of the day the fight can't happen and anything we say is just opinion. You have yours and I have mine. We've been going at it for pages on this thread, but I don't think we're going to find a solution.

Anyway, you deserve way more credit for your posts than I've given you, some of the most informed argument I've seen in a while, and of course its always good to argue without descending into abuse!

Cheers.

You have said some interesting and reasonable things, but while showing a bit biased for Joe Calzaghe and his resume. Especially when you compared his to Toney's, which is an all time great resume. I guess you are British its great to support your fighters though. Any way, keep up the good work.

[IMDAZED]

I agree with the above poster. The resumes aren't even close. I'm a little disappointed in the bias people are showing here. A prime Toney versus Calzaghe? Thought this was kind of obvious.

[pesticid]

If Toney performs like that, Zaghe might even put him away.

[pesticid]

Toney by TKO, he'd pick holes in Calzaghe's "defense" all night. Also how would Calzaghe hurt Toney?

The same way Tibery hurt him over 12, with acummulation of punches.

[IMDAZED]

The same way Tibery hurt him over 12, with acummulation of punches.

You've got to be kidding. You pick the most unmotivated Toney...when he was a young middleweight? That's like Floyd using the Sturm bout to study Oscar.

[slicksouthpaw16]

The same way Tibery hurt him over 12, with acummulation of punches.

Another poster that is taking Toney's worst performances and trying to find something to criticize him about. What about Calzaghe being countered and almost beaten by Robin Reid? What about Calzaghe being hurt against Byron Mitchell? What about Calzaghe being countered at will by Bernard Hopkins and winning a controversial decision? He is a great fighter, but he hasn't look as good as Toney has beaten top level opposition.

[pesticid]

You've got to be kidding. You pick the most unmotivated Toney...when he was a young middleweight? That's like Floyd using the Sturm bout to study Oscar.

Unmotivated or not he got a gift decision against a below-average fighter who stunned him every other round over 12. Let's not forget Drake Thadzi, who was another sub-fighter. How about Montel Griffin. The guy is like 5 7.

With performances like that it's not out of the question that Calzaghe whoops.

[abadger]

Another poster that is taking Toney's worst performances and trying to find something to criticize him about. What about Calzaghe being countered and almost beaten by Robin Reid? What about Calzaghe being hurt against Byron Mitchell? What about Calzaghe being countered at will by Bernard Hopkins and winning a controversial decision?

I am so going to watch every single Toney fight and then get back to you on this. Give me a couple of months!
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Lincoln sport