Who you got?

- April 23, 2003, a 30-0 Cruiserweight Champion, Vassiliy Jirov, defends his IBF World Title against 65-4 former middleweight World Champion, James “Lights Out” Toney.

The Foxwoods Resort, in Connecticut USA hosted a ALL TIME CLASSIC. A pure display of the “Sweet Science” Toney scored more than 45% of his total punches. This was compared to Jirov, who threw over one thousand punches with only 24% landing.

The bout is listed as 2003, Boxing Writters Association of America “FIGHT OF THE YEAR”.

The definition of Boxer vs Puncher.

- September 16 2017, GGG 37-0 vs Canelo Alverez 49-1. Throwing as much as 60 punches a round, GGG gave the fans a fight to remember. An all out “Slug Fest” both landed around 33%. Also reflected by the judge’s scorecard, calling it a draw.

You don’t even need my perspective. Just peep the numbers. On a 800 punch average. James Toney would out land GGG by 100 and some change. That’s far from a close fight and maybe close to a stoppage!

My point is, James Toney has moved on to fight heavyweights like Evander Holyfield, Hassim Rahman, who are both former World Champions.

Imagine Canelo Alverez tonight land 45% of his punches. That’s right, about half of every punch landing on target. Expect that in the trilogy September 17 2022. A battle of the numbers… young vs old, best of three.

To sum it up, on paper, not many have the stats to put up against James Toney. Not even Canelo Alverez. Do I know who can? Sure I do. Andre Ward 32-0, aka the Last American Gold Medalist in the Olympics. How about that?

A “Throw Back” fighter, James Toney has over 90 fights in multiple weight classes with many of Boxings Greats. Roy Jones jr, Montel Griffin, Micheal Nunn. I think when it’s all said and done, Toney’s record will hold up against time.

P.L

9-17-22

2:32pm