James Toney vs. Marvin Hagler @ 168?

[Dan...]

James Toney @ 168 is pure magic. I see him doing to Hagler what he did to Holyfield. Obliterate him with skill. NO K.O cause Hagler aint goin down, but pure cuts and clean punches will win him the decision. I cant even picture Hagler beating him.

You ever watched a Hagler fight other than the one with Sugar Ray Leonard? The comment I highlighted demonstrates incredible ignorance.

[AceNguyen]

Toney has done so much with his average physical gifts, but Hagler was just an animal in his prime. He would take Toney's beautiful counter rights and keep on coming. Hagler's pressure, power, and body work would smother Toney and earn him the decision even as his head is snapped back several times a round.

[Scott9945]

OMG! I voted JT by accident!

I'm glad you said that. My eyebrows were raised when I saw you picked him by KO. I can imagine Toney winning, but not by KO.

[Jim Jeffries]

I can't picture a KO by either side in this fight. Depending on which Toney shows up, it could go either way. The safer bet is Hagler.

[Thread Stealer]

As I've said before, it's hard to gauge how a guy will perform when he moves up in weight. Toney was 168 under the day before weigh-ins, so he'd be even heavier than that when they enter the ring.

It also helps Toney that he was better and more experienced than he was at 160. He was green, inconsistent, and still improving at 160. I'd pick Hagler over Toney with little hesitation at 160.

At 168, it's a tougher call. Toney is a great counterpuncher and likes guys to attack him, so Hagler would probably be better off boxing and moving laterally. The jab should give Toney problems. Hagler's jab was GREAT. I see quite a bit of boxing in the middle of the ring and Hagler winning a competitive decision. Hagler should make Toney come to him rather than be the aggressor and leave openings. Hagler had good parrying defense and head movement, but Toney was a master at finding those openings, especially when the other guy was pressing. If the other guy wasn't pressing and it wasn't on the inside, then it's harder for Toney to find all those openings.

[MWMerlino]

Because its 168, and considering Toney at his best, I want to say Toney by decision. Toney and Hagler are my two favorite boxers too. If this fight had ever been possible I would bet actual money on Hagler to win by decision but in the context of a "what if and at 168" scenario I'll say Toney to win. The way he slips and counter punches...tough call.