James Toney v Roy Jones Jr 2003/04

[soul_survivor]

So what do you guys think would have happened if the rematch had happened in 03/04, a time when Toney looked to have a handle on his life, his weight and his boxing. He was unbeaten in some 11 fights and had just beaten Jirov. Toney weighed in about 190lb and looked in tremendous shape, did not gas and looked to be hitting very hard.

Jones, just a month or so earlier had moved up to heavyweight, weighed a 193lb and out classed Ruiz over 12. I think everyone in their right mind knew that Jones didn't have a chance against the likes of Lewis at the very top of the heavyweight tree but I always felt that he would have had more success had he moved down to cruiserweight, feeling comfortable anywhere between 180-190lb.

So what if Roy had not gone down to LHW 8 months later, what if he had stayed at about a 190lb and rematched James Toney. How would the fight play out?

I personally think Roy would still have been too fast, not lost the amount of muscle he did fighting Tarver, maintained his chin and still beaten Toney but it would have been a lot closer than their first meeting.

[RichCCFC]

Roy's athleticism killed Toney.

GREAT fighters, teams.. whatever.. make other top fighters/teams look average. That's what Roy did to people. He would always cream Toney in his prime.

[soul_survivor]

Roy's athleticism killed Toney.

GREAT fighters, teams.. whatever.. make other top fighters/teams look average. That's what Roy did to people. He would always cream Toney in his prime.

I'm talking about Roy of 03/04 against a fully rejuvenated Toney. Not making excuses but Toney in their first and sadly only fight, was well out of it. He just wasn't physically ready for a fight of that magnitude.

I think Roy wins again, but it'd be a lot closer with Toney landing some beautiful counters and we all know that Roy didn't have the best punch resistance, it's just that in his prime he was rarely caught.

[GhostBlade]

It would have been a great fight. Toney at that time looked in tremendous shape when he beat Jirov and Holyfield. Roy Jones Jr. was basically on his way out at that time so I think I would have to give the edge to Toney if they fought in 2003/2004.

[RichCCFC]

It would have been a great fight. Toney at that time looked in tremendous shape when he beat Jirov and Holyfield. Roy Jones Jr. was basically on his way out at that time so I think I would have to give the edge to Toney if they fought in 2003/2004.

Remind me how much Jirov or Holyfield moved in those fights.

[soul_survivor]

It would have been a great fight. Toney at that time looked in tremendous shape when he beat Jirov and Holyfield. Roy Jones Jr. was basically on his way out at that time so I think I would have to give the edge to Toney if they fought in 2003/2004.

Toney did look good but I don't think he would have been able to cope with Roy's speed, even this slightly fading version. I reckon Roy would get the points win but he would get hurt at some stage, that would have been his biggest test to date.

i'm curious as to why Roy didn't consider a stay at cruiserweight??

Does anyone know?

[RichCCFC]

Toney did look good but I don't think he would have been able to cope with Roy's speed, even this slightly fading version. I reckon Roy would get the points win but he would get hurt at some stage, that would have been his biggest test to date.

i'm curious as to why Roy didn't consider a stay at cruiserweight??

Does anyone know?

Tarver called him out straight after Ruiz fight so he had to move back down.

[Holywarrior]

Jones is a stylistic nightmare for Toney. I honestly think There are loads of 160-168 lb'ers with a better chance against Jones than Toney.

Nunn
McCallum
Hagler
Calzaghe
Ward

etc.

No offense to James of course

[Bushidō]

I think Roy Jones would have been a bad matchup for any version of Toney.

[soul_survivor]

Tarver called him out straight after Ruiz fight so he had to move back down.

Yeah but Jones didn't always respond to the many call outs he received, many of which came from better opponents in the 90s.

I think Jones felt it would be better in a smaller division and that Tarver would be an easier fight.

Jones is a stylistic nightmare for Toney. I honestly think There are loads of 160-168 lb'ers with a better chance against Jones than Toney.

Nunn
McCallum
Hagler
Calzaghe
Ward

etc.

No offense to James of course

But I'm talking about Toney at 190lb, fully rejuvenated, not burning weight against Jones at the same weight, who was slower and more susceptible to punches.

I still believe Jones in 03/04 would have won but there would be a better fight on offer, more competitive and Toney's power would tell here.