Hopkins vs Toney: Can "Bad" Bernard Cage Toney "The Tiger"?

Jim Amato

01.06 - Well it's all set. On August 9th in Las Vegas World Middleweight Champion Bernard Hopkins will take on Cruiserweight titleholder James Toney. At one time Toney was a very good middleweight champion. He also held the super middleweight title and was a high ranking light heavyweight for many years. He recently rejuvenated his career capturing the Cruiserweight Title from Vassily Jirov in a candidate for fight of the year.

This battle has been stirring up quite a bit of interest. From the comments I have read from fans, many give Hopkins a legitimate chance of winning. They cite that Mickey Walker gave up that much weight in several of his battles. Also Harry Greb liked to beat up the bigger guys. Well...first of all Bernard isn't Walker or Greb. Secondly, it is highly doubtful that Bernard is going to beat James Toney. Why you ask?

The weight disparity WILL make a difference. Bernard is a finely tuned natural middleweight. Toney has been known to come into fights out of condition. I don't think this will happen. James was in terrific shape for the Jirov fight. His victory over Jirov launched him back into the spotlight that has been missing for years. He likes the attention. James walks around at over 200 pounds. Trained properly down to 190 he looked strong.

Bernard will probably be inducted into the Boxing Hall Of Fame one day. Mostly on the strength of his long tenure as titleholder. During his reign, what big name opponent did he beat? Robert Allen, Antwon Echols...good, competent fighters as were Sigundo Mercado and Keith Holmes. A lot of people as Roy Jones Jr. would say "ya all musta forgot" that Bernard was probably a slight underdog when he took on blown up welterweight Felix Trinidad. Bernard was superb in his drubbing of Trinidad but what has he done since ? In reality less then what he did before the Trinidad fight.

Compare the ledgers of Toney and Hopkins and you will see an obvious difference in the quality of opposition. James knocked out the very highly regarded Michael Nunn to win the middleweight crown. He then moved up to 168 and beat the two time conqueror of Tommy Hearns, Iran Barkley. He also found time to have a couple of battles with Hall Of Famer, Mike McCallum.

James has lost four bouts in his career. There is no doubt that was soundly defeated by Roy Jones Jr. but his other losses to Montell Griffin (twice) and Drake Thadzi were debatable decisions. Toney's win over Jirov and the fact that he captured a world title in his third different weight class may get him in the Hall. A win over Hopkins would probably guarantee it. Also it seems to be a "safe", high profile, big money fight while James awaits a hopeful shot at Jones in the future.

For Hopkins it could spell the end of a successful yet unspectacular career. There are very few other money fights out there for Bernard. Trinidad has retired. The winner of DeLaHoya-Mosley will probably meet Fernando Vargas. There could be a possible match with Joe Calzaghe or William Joppy if he beats Robert Allen on the August 9th undercard. Slim pickings.

As I see it, if Toney enters the ring in tip top condition he should have few problems with Bernard. Turn back the clock and I think the James who kayoed Nunn would have beat Bernard at 160. Although I respect Bernard and his accomplishments, I've seen several middleweights over the last 25 or 30 years that I think could have handled Hopkins. Carlos Monzon, Marvin Hagler, Emile Griffith, Hearns and Leonard. I'd also take Rodrigo Valdes over Bernard.

I wish Bernard the best of luck against Toney. He'll need it !