Prime Hopkins vs Prime Toney @ 160

[RichCCFC]

Who takes it?

Both are known for their defensive skills, who is the better defensive fighter too?

[Thread Stealer]

Hopkins by decision.

Toney was better at 168, as he was pretty inconsistent at 160.

[Lazy Liberal]

james toney by decision.........hopkins had no significant wins prior to the jones fight.

[Scott9945]

Who takes it?

Both are known for their defensive skills, who is the better defensive fighter too?

This is a hell of a fight, but I think Hopkins was much more consistent and would find a way to win a decision. I just can't imagine Hopkins ever almost losing to someone like Dave Tiberi.

[Kris Silver]

poll that ****?

[Xyei]

I think Toney would win.

[ИATAS]

bhop by decision.

james toney by decision.........hopkins had no significant wins prior to the jones fight.

This is prime vs prime. I don't think the Hopkins prior to Jones was close to being prime.

[Dorian]

Lights Out by close UD

[Kilrain]

Good thread. I've discussed this fight before with other people. It would definitely be a close fight. Both of them are counter punches who fight in spurts (Toney because he had to back in the day with some stamina issues and his level going up and down and Hop because he chose to), with a lot of accuracy. Bernard likes to move laterally a little more, Toney was more of a stalker at 160 when he used to walk guys down. These are two of the sharpest fighters in the game at 160 of the past twenty years for definite. Toney had terrific handspeed down there, and a killer right hand. Ask Mike McCallum. He damn near got his head blown off with it in the 12th round of their first fight, and Mike was almost impossible to hurt. Both are also likeminded when it comes to defense. Toney with the shoulder roll, Nard with the high guard and also shoulder-tuck at times himself. These are two peas in a pod these guys actually when you look at it, old school, and you gotta bear in mind that Bernard at 160 was a lot less negative than the latter day version. He had the hunger back then and came to get you. Both of these guys are paralells in that respect, they both adapted their styles millimetrically over the years to combat age and wear and tear.Only guy who beat either of them comfortably was Roy Jones Jr himself around this class. So I dont see either man dominating. In fact it is highly improbable that'd happen, what with their styles. No one style would overcome the other completely. Toney would flurry and his spurts of activity would be very eye-catching as they always are, he's the bigger puncher of the two and Bernards defense back then wasn't the refined, Fort Knox liek guard of later years. So Toney will land, and probably hurt Bernard a couple of times when he fires off. As well as that though Toney got outworked, periodically, by guys like Reggie Johnson and Mike too in those first 2 fights, as well as that he got pushed close by Sosa and Williams drew with him also. I mean if Toney had had better workrate he would've been UNTOUCHABLE at middleweight with his skills. In fact its a testament to his skills that he came into a lot of those fights with weight issues and blatantly taking rounds off to get his second wind. He actually waited for his second wind and allowed opponents back into it. But when he fired off he was devastating.

So I'd say we're talking about the Hopkins of the Glen Johnson or Trinidad fight against Toney from the fight with DeWitt/Delaquila/McCallum 1 + 2

Bernard would probably fight Toney more like he did Trinidad, as opposed to feeling he could push forward and dominate the more rigid Johnson. Aint no way he'll walk through James. So with that movement he could give JT some problems, but Toney wouldn't be deterred...and Bernards rushes forwards to throw his right hand would open him up for the quick counter punch, and that'd signify an ebb and flow of the fight...

It depends what work you liked best, Toneys eye catching flurries or Bernards consistant and dictatorial workrate...Toney was much more adaptable than Trinidad so Bernard wont have it all his way on the outside, Toney is a dangerous sharp-shooter who was real TOUGH to tag cleanly.

It could go to a draw, in a fight somewhat similar to McCallum 1 (only James' lands less frequently and Bernard throws less than Mike), I'd probably favour Toney by a slim Split Decision

[IMDAZED]

Who takes it?

Both are known for their defensive skills, who is the better defensive fighter too?

With all due respect, to label Bernard Hopkins - in his prime - a defensive fighter is absolutely ludicrous.

The Hopkins of 1997-1999 was a MONSTER offensively. Just a very scary fighter.

Some of you guys need to go back and start watching tapes of boxers before 2000.