James Toney - Defensive Slips & Counters

Defensive highlights of the all time great multiple weight world champion. Lights Out at his best!
Patreon: / hanzagod
James Toney - Is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2017. He held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the IBF and lineal Middleweight titles from 1991 to 1993, the IBF Super-Middleweight title from 1993 to 1994, and the IBF Cruiserweight title in 2003. Toney also challenged twice for a world Heavyweight title in 2005 and 2006. Stylistically a defensive boxer, Toney utilized the shoulder roll technique taught to him by veteran trainer Bill Miller, who had once trained heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles. Toney was an exceptional counterpuncher and inside fighter, who often preferred to fight off the ropes. He possessed fast hand speed and respectable punching power throughout his career and is also noted for his toughness, having never lost any of his 92 professional bouts via stoppage. In 1991 and 2003, Toney was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Toney retired with a professional record of 77-10-3 (47 KO's).
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[@conormckeown7065]

Seriously, Toney's style had the perfect mix of defensive and offensive skills. He was nothing short of majestic when he fought Iran Barkley!

[@hulksmash8660]

C_ MACK I agree

[@daTruChosen]

Toney's my favorite fighter. However, what he is not given enough credit for is how he did against fighters presenting him tactical and strategic challenges; e.g., Tim Littles (much faster fighter who was aggressive and moved a lot); Mike McCallum (much more experienced fighter with technical ability rivaling his own); Charles Williams (super aggressive, naturally bigger man who hit harder and had much longer reach/range); Vassily Jirov (younger, more energetic, aggressive fighter that exerted non stop pressure). Toney was an extraordinarily intelligent fighter with near genius IQ in that ring. His losses were the result of his failing, not the supremacy of his opponents... ALL of them, even Roy Jones.

[@NOAH_XRL]

@@daTruChosen absolutely right brother spot on with each a prime toney too me still unstoppable.

[@PhxBullyTeam]

Its like watching canelo

[@lefez9015]

@Jason Voorhees No he wasn't.

[@adf286]

No one was ever as relaxed in the ring and naturally talented as a boxer

[@smirking8457]

Thousands and thousands of hours of ring experience

[@TheOneAndOnlyZelenkaGuru]

@@smirking8457 Mostly sparring, and presumably where most of the damage he suffered from as well if you have seen any recent interviews.

[@smirking8457]

@@TheOneAndOnlyZelenkaGuru indeed - it’s one of those brutal tradeoffs

[@user-yy7dy8fb3n]

​@@TheOneAndOnlyZelenkaGuruqqqaaaaqqqaaqaaaaaaaaàa

[@mjjohnson9925]

One of the top 12 most skilled fighters of my lifetime and I'm almost 45. His nemesis? Laziness and the FORK. He's still 1st ballot HOF though. I think if he'd been more disciplined, he'd be considered top 25 all-time.

[@donovanchilton5817]

The fork for damn sure. Shame he blew up like that.

[@louduva9849]

...perhaps top 10.

[@mjjohnson9925]

Lou Duva, possibly. No version of Toney beats Roy Jones though. Their 1994 fight should have been much more competitive but the difference in speed would always allow Roy to beat him. Hell, I even picked Toney then. Still, a focused and diciplined Toney would only be behind Duran, Leonard, Jones, Mayweather and possibly Whitaker, Chavez on my post Ali era p4p list. That's saying a lot.

[@louduva9849]

RE: Jones. Asinine claim. Toney was a weight-drained corpse versus Jones; you've forgotten--or never knew--that he was taking fights at cruiserweight (!) before Jones agreed to meet him. Bear in mind that he COULD have fought him at any time in 1992 or 1993; he didn't need to wait until the end of 1994 to take Toney up on his offer. Toney was in no condition to fight; as such, any number of mediocre fighters could have gotten the decision over him. You're giving Jones too much credit for beating--timidly outpointing--a dead man. McCallum would likely have finished him in that condition; even Barkley would have had a chance. Jones' resume is embarrassing--after the Toney gift he didn't fight another live body for a decade. His opposition at 175 was risible. At 160 he beat the almost-equally-overrated Hopkins--who at that point hadn't fought anyone worth a damn and--to gauge his level at the time--was going to hell and back with C-class Segundo Mercado. Hopkins was then C-class, and frankly I'm not sure how great you have to be to duff up a robotic welterweight (Trinidad) or a fat, coked-up lightweight (Oscar). That's an overrated win for Jones. At 168 he outpointed Toney's corpse, and did nothing else. He went to embarrassing lengths to avoid a lesser version of Michael Nunn than the one Toney beat, to say nothing of the shameless ducking of Frankie Liles, Antonio Tarver (the two were meant to meet years earlier than they actually did), and countless other talents. Jones was a hype-job. 'No version of Toney beats Roy Jones'. Facile premise. That said, let's grant it, for the sake of argument. Jones lost to Antonio Tarver THREE times. Jones avoided Nunn and Liles for the simple reason he knew they'd beat him. Moorer at 175 would decapitate Jones. Does that mean these fighters deserve a higher P4P ranking than Jones? Understand that beating someone doesn't mean your all-time ranking is higher than theirs--it could merely be a bad style matchup for them. Or they could be depleted in some way. Toney would NEVER lose to Tarver, much less by knockout. Doesn't that count for something? Jones would have lost to past-it Nunn, while Toney beat the prime version. That counts for something, too. Putting Toney behind Jones, Whitaker, Chavez and Mayweather is disgraceful. His resume shits on all of theirs.

[@louduva9849]

Toney had been fighting at cruiserweight. Check what he weighed in at when he faced Vinson Durham, and get back to me. Toney struggled to make weight for Prince Charles and for Jones he started camp at over 200 lbs; he trained to make weight, not to fight. It showed in his physique--never mind his performance! Try to grasp the argument. Toney was in terrible condition. That's irrefutable. Given this, why does Jones deserve so much credit? He beat a compromised opponent; he gets no credit from me--all the more so given he refused to ever grant Toney a rematch. And, again, if Jones beating Toney means Jones was greater than Toney, I guess Tarver--who whooped Roy no fewer than THREE times--was better than both of them? You don't know shit about boxing.

[@infnte9186]

when he found the groove he was the GOAT boxer imo. others may have been as skilled - and more flashy - but the sheer effeciency of Toney's style is unmatched. defense/offense transition smooth as butter. beautiful

[@omz_espinoza]

Man, James Toney goes under the radar in the all time greats conversation, beautiful defense.

[@boxerboxer6345]

This guy is so underrated he's definitely one of the greatest of all times.

[@kakonis]

He had some struggles with weight and management and sometimes blew hot and cold from fight to fight (and round to round) but on his best night James Toney was the greatest boxer who ever lived. There, I said it.

[@sage4687]

Joseph JoeJoe yup I gotta agree with that. 100%

[@sportingminds3311]

I don’t know if I would say he was the greatest overall boxer. But I would say he was able to work in the pocket was better than anyone. A true boxing savant.

[@sskspartan]

Joseph JoeJoe you are crazy to say that.He is high in the P4P ranking for me, but he isn't that great

[@robsonworth6624]

Joseph JoeJoe not mad at that statement at all. Untouchable across countless divisions when he was on it

[@andisadler2897]

Greatest defensive boxer ever!. Ability to slip a punch defo 2nd to none. Made the shoulder roll better, Ability to slip then counter made Toney great. Best defensive boxer ever!!!! and i say it again...ever. Wouldnt say best ever boxer,great boxer but best Defensive boxer and ability to slip a punch then yes Greatest.

[@nasiemrichardson]

there’s never a day that goes by and I’m not watching this. I literally watch this defensive masterpiece every day :,))

[@joaquindominguezramirez5488]

Take a look about Nicolino Loche and Mike maCallum, my favorite fighters with Genius of Toney

[@nasiemrichardson]

Joaquin Dominguez Ramirez yeah man

[@nasiemrichardson]

fyi, I’m still watching, TILL THIS DAY

[@adrian-vasilebud4444]

me to,that is art,masterpiece,I can watch James Toney fights all day.

[@Cheetah_of_Azra]

Same here.

[@MAMII-ks2qg]

He was a master at staying in the pocket, holding his ground and slipping punches. Always ready to counter no matter what you threw at him.

[@billy2693xz]

Pure art! Amazing god-given talent.

[@40streetblack79]

Max Power you better believe it,no one comes close,god gifted.only thing missing,was discipline.

[@devriestown]

Tony was completely under rated. A true ring general. Could mix it up from boxer to defense fighter to straight brawler. His slipping of punches is absolutely amazingly impressive a true thing of beauty.

[@SouthpawJoe]

I love Toney. He seemed a little too defensive at times but then when he let his hands fly it was amazing.

[@darrennandrewfitness2836]

His slips and counters are just insane

[@nawfsidereviews6029]

Never given enough credit

[@hueyfreeman1983]

@Jason Voorhees and you are a pathetic keyboard warrior

[@hueyfreeman1983]

@Jason Voorhees you're the one insulting someone who doesnt even know you exist but yeah im the keyboard warrior

[@hueyfreeman1983]

@Jason Voorhees and your a pathetic troll people like toney give your life purpose

[@hueyfreeman1983]

@Jason Voorhees and your the useless keyboard warrior mouthing off about someone who doesnt even know you exist you would never say it to his face if you were given the chance if you dont like him then what are you doing on this video? Or are you just here to troll?

[@hueyfreeman1983]

@Jason Voorhees i can bet anything that you are a fat wanker who lives in his mums basement and hasn't seen the sun light in over a week

[@nikolaisalikov1257]

One of the best of your highlights. I watch this at least monthly.

[@hanzagod]

Thanks! I consider this to be my 2nd best Toney highlight.

[@hanzagod]

Thought it was about time I made a new James Toney highlight so here it is! Excellent defense and counter punching. www.patreon.com/haNZAgod

[@sams.3823]

Always appreciated the sheer class of James Toney always been one my favourite fighter the definition of a perfect boxer at 155.

[@Garrett1240]

His lowest class was 160.

[@sams.3823]

@@Garrett1240 I believe that to be a typo! 165 * at his best

[@Garrett1240]

@@sams.3823 168

[@HoOdGaTeKeEpeR]

Out of everybody that I've seen, James Toney and Roberto Duran are on the top of the MOUNTAIN! Best fighters of all time in my opinion.

[@nachomccloy2489]

stylistically speaking they are my 2 favorites

[@mikeward2980]

James the Man Toney will always be the best most dramatic ,dynamic pound for pound Greatest fighter I've ever seen bar none. Thank you James Toney

[@Levi-1992]

Underrated.

[@ironmike2010]

Grand-Master Levi complete opposite. He was rated so high because he was american. Nigel Benn would have smashed him

[@codeck4442]

@@ironmike2010Toney beats Benn and Eubank. Eubank and Benn is not going to smash or win easily against Toney.

[@grapedrank666]

Toney was the last old school fighter

[@grapedrank666]

When i mean oldschool im talking about James was willing to fight anyone at any weight. He never ducked no one and fought the very best. Tell me what modern boxer moved up from middle weight to heavy weight and still beat up bigger men? that is unheard of.

[@ciaranfox2925]

Roy jones

[@brentcruz8779]

Sam Langford moved from Lightweight to Heavyweight and got 100 KOs up there.

[@kaseywinbornery5258]

Yes.... but I think Roy Jones is also in that category

[@joermundgand]

Pirog the Russian, also old school, watch the Pirog vs Jacobs fight, it's like watching a novice trying to hit a master.

[@vandiar]

Great video, thank you. One of my favorite fighters, extremely crafty, efficient, calm, he was born to fight. A true legend.

[@alidaygo619]

Toney is an all time great!

[@vinceclockend3103]

A master of his craft and an absolute joy to watch. Thanks for sharing.

[@Ffeoli1039]

Probably dry even when standing in rain.

[@Garrett1240]

Lol, love it.

[@kountvalik7997]

Im commenting two times only because the music was perfect also it really gave the video the raw ememotianal feel. And makes you see tony as a beutiful master

[@hyzeronhisrizer]

Prime James Toney was one of my all time faves! Top shelf skills....so much fun to watch.

[@tommymerchant7026]

Beautiful to watch!only gifted can someone make it look so easy

[@calmandtranquility9668]

still to this day one of my all time favorite fighters to ever step into the ring. man the sport has changed so much since those days

[@vinsanity982]

James Toney was one of my favorite fighters to watch. He was one of the most slippery fighters ever, it was always entertaining to watch his defensive skills.

[@oldmate1342]

James Toney was a goddamn wizard in the ring. In his true prime, the real Dark Destroyer, like the perfect combination of Floyd Jr and Bud Crawford. Lights Out!

[@d.deg.3682]

I have Toney higher rated than Mayweather. No hate to Mayweather for this time, but Toney is just the more complete boxer. I don’t think there is a more complete boxer than Toney or Duran. Both have excellent defence and offence.

[@surveying482]

@@d.deg.3682 delusional Floyd is top 4 all time

[@darrennandrewfitness2836]

@@surveying482 floyd avoided a lot of tough fights. Hes a first class cherry picker and I am a fan of Floyd

[@razzledazzle8631]

I think he was one of the best of all time . I am an old white guy and had the opportunity to meet him once with my grand kids . He was so sweet to my grand kids . I am a fan for life.

[@reycesarcarino4653]

Toney is one of the three great middleweight Technicians of the 90's along witj Roy Jones Jr and B-Hopkins

[@reycesarcarino4653]

+The Acient Sumerians Were White From 1995-2000 B-HOP compile 20 defenses of his IBF belt before facing keith holmes and Félix Trinidad and your saying hes not a good fighter before the 2000s

[@siergiej882kowaliow3]

RJJ was not great technician. He was an athlete, one of the best any sport has ever seen.

[@daTruChosen]

Ancient Sumerian Aryan Does that diminish his greatness, because he reached his prime later than most???

[@richardwardrop6345]

Agreed RJJ was hyper fast - none faster compared to the division they were in, including Ali and Paquiao. No technician though. Got away with it for 50 fights just by being insanely fast.

[@IIZ00LII]

My favourite fighter! Thanks mate!

[@aukemist]

Def one of the best boxing clips channel

[@degolddegold1266]

One of the best without QUESTION.

[@Ben-qm1mv]

In my 62 yrs ,,, James Toney was the most skilled boxer I ever saw !

[@surveying482]

Pernell Whitaker is the most skilled all time

[@Andrewthe22]

@@surveying482duran is better 🤣

[@miyagifatghost2684]

I remember as a kid watching. Toney would get in YOUR pocket and then start picking you apart. It was THIS day i knew the style i would always fight with. And i dropped alot of ppl with it

[@Brawling_Style]

Seriously under rated his whole career the guy could sense shots coming and would know we're they are coming from that's something very special and can't be taught.

[@Mantelar]

My dad loved watching him fight. Used to call Toney’s left and right hands Ben and Jerry’s. Watching RJJ pack on muscle and tear through weight divisions was amazing. But watching Toney eat his way there and essentially beat up heavy weights while fat was something straight out of Valhalla. Funny but totally serious. I wish more of these fighters coached. Toney knows things about boxing that are gonna die with him if he doesn’t get behind a corner.

[@zuk207]

Pure finesse

[@jeankande2873]

It’s criminal how he hasn’t been inducted in the hof yet

[@wavyamar]

Gives me goosebumps watching this

[@louduva9849]

Toney--my perpetual man-crush. ❤️❤️❤️

[@louduva9849]

You seem insecure.

[@HumanAction1]

Smooth like butter. Elusive and slick with one of the greatest counter rights in boxing history. True old school boxing. The sweet science.

[@valegendre]

Middleweight toney was really something to watch . thanks

[@karsaorlong3761]

some of these slips are sick by james toney

[@fabianmadrigal2887]

James was cold as ice in there, you can see it in his serene expression, man was in control at all times.

[@FAR_-ej9xt]

That was badass af

[@PhoenixIceable]

My favorite boxer of all time.

[@bornbranded29]

Amazing Boxing IQ - he put everything together, with such quickness.

[@mider-spanman5577]

He is still actually a beast for his age!

[@ReemusBoxing]

Fire! King of highlights 🔥..great minds think alike haha I’m actually uploading a Toney video now too

[@hanzagod]

Glad you like it :)

[@Kuba-te8re]

This is what sweet sience is about. I adore his style, torso movement, no dancing, just an old school master

[@billy2693xz]

Beautiful skills. I can see a lot of similarities to they way Canelo fights now but Toney was more of a natural and hits harder.

[@israelisreal9678]

His defense was serious!! Him and Floyd's defense was is crazy!!!

[@MrSnapy1]

Simply the best watch all his fights he never gets hit solid or even clipped and rocked. Even vs a prime! Jones Jr....

[@seyab6567]

He got dropped in his fight against RJJ bro

[@jaminturner4585]

@@seyab6567They were both showboating amd Roy caught him off balance. If Sam Peter , Evander, Visily, Mcallum, Barkley etc couldnt hurt him Roy didnt either

[@htmm5167]

James my favourite fighter of all time

[@magicluis145]

Also one of the best trash talkers behind Ali and Mayorga.

[@somedude3977]

BOSS HOGG LOU mayorga is definitely one of the most underrated trash talkers

[@ohrealy1]

He knew what he was doing Toney needed the other guy to come looking for him to be at his best. Roy jones worked him out.

[@alwayzdolo]

That natural lean to the right. Always keeping his head off the line. Oldschool.

[@CPyRo]

awesome video. james toney is my favourite boxer of alö time. he's got it all. excellent skills, the mindset of a fighter and the heart to back it up

[@louduva9849]

Shoulder roll GOAT.

[@thesweetscientists2859]

Lou Duva mayweather is better fact. You bum.

[@gilo8721]

Dude was the greatest close distance in the pocket fighters ever.

[@kountvalik7997]

Such grace

[@ESmaniak]

He was a warrior

[@tkong35]

One of the best to ever do it true throwback fighter last u will probably ever see . salute!!!

[@xxxLLL-j7o]

Джеймс крутий! Без слов очевидно😊

[@burningknuckle26]

one of the best

[@CPyRo]

This has to be one of the best videos you made so far.

[@NoeL2477]

My fav boxer of all time.

[@xaviergomez6542]

The boxing defense of Tony very similar to the defense style Roberto Durán... Very nice

[@maulporphy4399]

When Toney caught boxers leaning forward after a punch, he made them pay.

[@jamescarter974]

The most dangerous man in boxing you fought Toney thats an all day lesson in the sweet science.

[@michealbreathnach2928]

The way he slips the right cross an then lands a counter cross is very smooth.

[@mr.t658]

One of the very best of all time!

[@khayyamahmed856]

Amazing fighter under rated nobody in the UK heard of the great James toney

[@srinivaspillai4622]

The may weather of heavy weight, he was defensive plus offensive boxer, why is he not given much credit? I am surprised by this man's boxing ability, God bless you sir, loved seeing you box, thanks.

[@aykutgks970]

This is 100% talent!!!

[@slasher-kick-sake]

Lights out‼️

[@abdulabdullahi3849]

his 3 fights with The body snatcher Mike Mcallum is the best 3 fight series of mastery I have ever seen. Two PHD level fighters in the Art of Boxing. Not blood and guts but a chess match of violence.

[@hanzagod]

Incredible series with the first being my favorite. Beautiful fights.

[@DavidLoveOfficial]

Incredible video, thank you.

[@JB-zc2zq]

Incredible.

[@jamescameron7633]

He is awesome

[@canefirebbq2071]

Amazing confidence and skills to stay in the pocket. Making them miss and pay. Bad fkn dude right there!🤙🏽🔥💯

[@paulg444]

Toney, one of the absolute greatest natural instinct fighters ever to enter the ring.

[@richardwardrop6345]

Cracks me up when people say Holyfield was past his best. So was Toney. If Holyfield had met even middleweight Toney it would have much worse for Holyfield...and I'm a big fan of Holyfield. Toney was that good.

[@trollbane66]

This man could have been the greatest of all time if he wanted.

[@2xAcTiOnXJaCkS0nx]

Beautiful boxing

[@xavierlacy6045]

Hall of fame

[@mr.t658]

easily

[@Hugh_Morris]

A massive underachiever, which is crazy considering how good he became.

[@kieran8720]

So good. Honestly for me hed one of the best middleweights ever. Angry in shape 160 pound toney maybe loses to five to ten people from the all time middleweight great lists. And toney in the other weight classes was still an animal who if in good shape probably gives trouble to those divisional greats as well

[@surveying482]

Toney losing to 5? Only people who I can imagine beating him at MW is hagler and Robinson that’s it

[@chase36chase]

a true master.

[@marinamariapilareloisamart1408]

Calm confidence x Magical Thecnique

[@joermundgand]

Slick as hell, master of defense.

[@AB-ep2qi]

AWESOME VIDEO ! GREAT WORK BRO!

[@davidodia4603]

A beauty to watch

[@zacharybarnard4140]

He's slept on what middleweight goes to heavyweight and performs that well

[@outdoorluxuries2887]

This guy trained by fighting everyone

[@seanoconnor9612]

I could watch art form like this for hours. I am a happy man 😁

[@DGA2000]

This guy slips punches by a quarter inch. Just amazing