Roy Jones Jr., one of boxing's all-time greats, has named James Toney as the best fighter he ever faced. Jones shared this revelation during a recent interview on Ring Champs with Ak & Barak.
Jones's career started with a bang. He grabbed a silver medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. After turning pro that same year, he quickly climbed the ranks and won world titles in four weight classes.
The 1990s saw Jones at the peak of his powers. He racked up impressive wins against top-notch opponents like Bernard Hopkins, Mike McCallum, and of course, James Toney. But it was his victory over John Ruiz in March 2003 that stands out as his most impressive feat. Jones moved up to heavyweight and snagged the WBA title from Ruiz by unanimous decision.
Many boxing experts consider Jones one of the best fighters ever to step into the ring. So when he speaks about his toughest opponent, people listen.
During his chat with Ak & Barak, Jones didn't mince words:
"James Toney, by far. James Toney is the best fighter I ever fought by far."
Toney, known as 'Lights Out', faced Jones in November 1994 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The IBF super-middleweight title was on the line. Despite Toney's formidable skills, Jones walked away with a unanimous decision victory.
The loss didn't stop Toney. He moved up to light-heavyweight but suffered another setback, losing to Montell Griffin in February 1995. Toney's resilience shone through in April 2003 when he became a world champion again. He outpointed Vassiliy Jirov in Connecticut to claim the IBF world cruiserweight title.
Jones's praise for Toney speaks volumes about both fighters' skills and the high level of competition they faced throughout their careers. Their 1994 bout remains a highlight in boxing history, showcasing two of the sport's most talented athletes at the peak of their abilities.
