James Toney is commonly talked about when followers focus on one of the best fighters of all time, however when requested who Toney himself believes to be the best within the historical past of the game, the now 57-year-old offered an intriguing record.
Adored for his fearlessness, ‘Lights Out’ Toney claimed the IBF middleweight world title by knocking out Michael Nunn in 1991 and went on to combat throughout all 4 weight-classes above, taking over a few of boxing’s greatest names alongside the way in which.
Toney achieved world honours at each super-middleweight and cruiserweight, previous to an bold transfer to the heavyweight division, and famously defeated John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweight title in 2005, just for his win to be turned to a no-contest throughout the aftermath after he failed his post-fight drug take a look at, testing optimistic for the anabolic steroid stanozolol.
The next yr, ‘Lights Out’ challenged for heavyweight gold once more however got here up brief in a majority draw in opposition to reigning WBC champion Hasim Rahman and by no means fought for the coveted throne once more.
Chatting with George Foreman III, on his YouTube channel, Toney’s appreciation for the greats of yesteryear, notably these of the Fifties, was portrayed when quizzed to pick out his high 5 fighters of all time.
“My high 5 is Sugar Ray Robinson, Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, Jersey Joe Walcott and George Foreman.”
Toney’s record reaffirms the sincerity of his earlier feedback, the place he has repeatedly said that Sugar Ray Robinson was far higher than Muhammad Ali and that, if he had the possibility to face Ali, he believes he would have knocked him out.
Robinson piled up 173 wins and 6 world titles, broadly thought to be boxing’s most full fighter.
Ezzard Charles received the heavyweight championship and earned elite wins from middleweight by way of heavyweight.
Archie Moore set the all-time knockout file with 131 KOs whereas reigning as gentle heavyweight champion.
Jersey Joe Walcott captured the heavyweight title at 37 after years of elite contenders’ bouts.
Foreman — whose son was conducting the interview — turned a two-time heavyweight champion, reclaiming the crown at 45 because the oldest titleholder in historical past.
