James Toney is often mentioned when fans discuss the best fighters of all time, but when asked who Toney himself believes to be the greatest in the history of the sport, the now 57-year-old provided an intriguing list.
Adored for his fearlessness, ‘Lights Out’ Toney claimed the IBF middleweight world title by knocking out Michael Nunn in 1991 and went on to fight across all four weight-classes above, taking on some of boxing’s biggest names along the way.
Toney achieved world honours at both super-middleweight and cruiserweight, prior to an ambitious move to the heavyweight division, and famously defeated John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweight title in 2005, only for his win to be turned to a no-contest during the aftermath after he failed his post-fight drug test, testing positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol.
The following year, ‘Lights Out’ challenged for heavyweight gold again but came up short in a majority draw against reigning WBC champion Hasim Rahman and never fought for the coveted throne again.
Speaking to George Foreman III, on his YouTube channel, Toney’s appreciation for the greats of yesteryear, particularly those of the 1950s, was portrayed when quizzed to select his top five fighters of all time.
“My top five is Sugar Ray Robinson, Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, Jersey Joe Walcott and George Foreman.”
Toney’s list reaffirms the sincerity of his previous comments, where he has repeatedly stated that Sugar Ray Robinson was far greater than Muhammad Ali and that, if he had the chance to face Ali, he believes he would have knocked him out.
Robinson piled up 173 wins and six world titles, widely regarded as boxing’s most complete fighter.
Ezzard Charles won the heavyweight championship and earned elite wins from middleweight through heavyweight.
Archie Moore set the all-time knockout record with 131 KOs while reigning as light heavyweight champion.
Jersey Joe Walcott captured the heavyweight title at 37 after years of elite contenders’ bouts.
Foreman — whose son was conducting the interview — became a two-time heavyweight champion, reclaiming the crown at 45 as the oldest titleholder in history.
