BoxRec

I've often thought about this match up I believe it has the makings of an outstanding clash between two top quality fighters.

In one corner there is 'Bad' Bennie Briscoe the ultimate Philly hardman, the Middleweight wrecking machjne of the 1970's.

In the other corner is 'Lights out' Toney the trash talking, iron jawed, deeply skilled enigma of modern times

This would almost certainly go the distance as they both had iron jaws and great stamina (this matchup assumes Toney has no weight issues). I feel Bennie has the edge in power, mostly with his crunching left hook to the body, but Toney has the edge in speed.

I see Bad Bennie pressing forward, throwing left jab, right cross, left to the body with Toney happy to mostly take the part of the counter puncher. If Toney decided to try and 'out macho' Bad Benniie he may be out of his depth. I think Toneys best chance would be to use his speed advantage and greater variety of shots to try and outpoint Bennie.

Would Bennies body shots and pressure be too much even for Toney? Or would Toney outspeed and outbox him?

As much as I am facinated and admire Bad Bennie, I feel a well conditioned and motivated Toney may just have the style to outsmart Bannie over a very tough fight, they may even split a series of fights.

In a nutshell, if Toney goes toe to toe Bennie batters him for 12 rounds, If Toney Boxes smartly he takes a points victory, either way Toney will know he's been in one hell of a fight!!!

What do you think fight fans?

KOJOE90 wrote:this matchup assumes Toney has no weight issues

Toney always had weight issues at 160. Even in some of his more impressive performances, like vs. Nunn and McCallum (the 1st fight), he had to take rounds off because of his stamina. Also, remember in his 2nd ever defense (against Francisco What'sHisName), he actually weighed in over the weight limit, but somehow was allowed to go ahead with the fight anyway without being stripped.

That having been said, it's a tough fight to call. I have to say your assessment seems a pretty good one to me.

Briscoe was a very intimidating fighter, but as we all now know, nothing fazes James Toney.
I think he'd outbox Bennie for a points win, similar to how Hagler turned boxer to outpoint Bennie late in his career.

MightyWarrior wrote:Briscoe was a very intimidating fighter, but as we all now know, nothing fazes James Toney.

...Except a guy who doesn't stand right in front of him, like Jirov and Holy did. Despite impressive wins over guys like Nunn, Toney was far from unbeatable from 160-175, and it wasn't just the weight issues that were responsible.

Well Briscoe wasn't exactly unbeatable either.
Toney has always been erratic, but I'm assuming we're talking about both these guys on their best day, and I can't see Bennie up on his toes and dancing around Toney with a flicking jab.
He'd probably try to walk straight though him, especialy as Toney would've called him a pussy at the press conference

MightyWarrior wrote:but I'm assuming we're talking about both these guys on their best day,

Yes, that was my intention.

I wounder how Bennie would react to Toney's trash talk? Would it affect him in anyway I wonder?

I can see a peak Briscoe winning this... he would press and press Toney and if Toney laid on the ropes like he does against Briscoe he'd be introuble... I just see Briscoe edging a narrow points verdict being a little busier and more affective against Toney.
The Briscoe that Hagler fought was not the man who gave Monzon two of his hardest fights... the Briscoe who fought Monzon in '72 for the title would have beaten Toney I beleive......

Silkov can you look up at the article how good is Piet Crous, please and I'm sorry I don't want to be that annoying to you.

kovit wrote:Silkov can you look up at the article how good is Piet Crous, please and I'm sorry I don't want to be that annoying to you.

I think you better answer him Silkov, unless you want a knock on your door at midnight

kovit, get yourself a second hand Ring Record Book, I think they carry all the height info you'll ever need - endless hours of fun!!

:(

silkov wrote: :(

Hey, that's what you get for encouraging him.

Interesting one.

Toney.

At Middleweight I don't know if Toney even on his best day at Middleweight would've been conditioned enough (not having to have drained enough) to continuously match the pace and aggression that Briscoe would be bringing his way.

I'd favor Briscoe in a hard fought split decision.