James Toney vs Roy Jones at the Heavyweights
Posted: 24 Sep 2020, 09:12
It was a pretty real matchup in 2003. Early that year Jones became a HW champ after winning John Ruiz, while Toney became a CW champ after winning Vassiliy Jirov. Later that year Jones went back to the LHW to start the blasting rivalry against Tarver, while Toney moved up to the HW and stopped great, but faded Evander Holyfield.
Eventually both had the same HW opponent, whom both of them confidently defeated for the WBA belt. That obviously was John "The Hugging Man" Ruiz. While Toney became an overall more accomplished heavyweight, despite the fact of his championship win being ruled to NC because of a failed drug test.
What if Jones met Toney in a title defence in late 2003?
I'd pick Toney this time. Jones seemed less fast than usually at this weight, while Toney obviously was free of weight problems in this division and his punch was logically heavier there. The bout would be close and tactical early, but Toney would eventually be getting to Jones with right hands. I guess, it would be a crucial factor. Toney would outland Jones with the biggest blows and maybe even land a good enough punch to turn the lights out for Jones. Back at that moment nobody had known yet, that Jones chin was poor, while Toney could expose it earlier than Tarver actually did, if Jones faced Toney at the HW.
What are you opinions on this matchup?
Eventually both had the same HW opponent, whom both of them confidently defeated for the WBA belt. That obviously was John "The Hugging Man" Ruiz. While Toney became an overall more accomplished heavyweight, despite the fact of his championship win being ruled to NC because of a failed drug test.
What if Jones met Toney in a title defence in late 2003?
I'd pick Toney this time. Jones seemed less fast than usually at this weight, while Toney obviously was free of weight problems in this division and his punch was logically heavier there. The bout would be close and tactical early, but Toney would eventually be getting to Jones with right hands. I guess, it would be a crucial factor. Toney would outland Jones with the biggest blows and maybe even land a good enough punch to turn the lights out for Jones. Back at that moment nobody had known yet, that Jones chin was poor, while Toney could expose it earlier than Tarver actually did, if Jones faced Toney at the HW.
What are you opinions on this matchup?