15.05.05 – By James Slater: IBF light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods has come on a bundle as a prize fighter since his two fights with “The Road Warrior” Glenn Johnson. Woods drew with Johnson in their first encounter and then lost a clear decision in the return match. Clinton refused to give up, however, and despite also being defeated by the brilliant Roy Jones in six rounds in his other attempt at winning a world title, he finally got his hands on a belt at the fourth time of asking. Woods smashed the highly touted Rico Hoye into submission in five rounds last year. Since then he has gone from strength to strength.
Clinton made a successful first defence in September of last year when he out pointed the very tough Mexican contender Julio Gonzalez. Many had expected the challenger to take the title from the Sheffield man but Woods boxed very well and won a clear decision over the twelve rounds. That fight was eight months ago and as a result of such an absence from the ring some rust and affected timing was predicted by more than a few people to hinder the IBF ruler in his fight that took place at the weekend. In a rematch with the Australian Jason DeLisle, once again in front of Clinton’s hometown fans, Woods fought the guy who had floored him in their fight back in 2004, before being broken down and finally stopped in the twelfth round. The strong Australian campaigned relentlessly for a second fight and last Saturday he got his wish..
This time though, it was a different Clinton Woods – as it has been since the Hoye fight and his ascension to the top. Woods looked incredibly sharp and his right uppercut, a new weapon added to his arsenal, was a punishing and hurtful shot. This punch proved to be too much for the man who calls himself “The Nailer” and the defending champ brutally stopped him in the sixth round of an entertaining fight. Ring rust was not a factor in the bout – the vast improvement of Clinton as a fighter was.
Now Glenn Johnson will have a third fight with Woods as he is the official IBF mandatory challenger. Will Clinton get a win this time? I believe he will. I cannot stress enough how much better the 34 year old Woods has become. He is stronger, more confident and seems to be hitting with much more authority. He puts his newfound success and overall advancement as a fighter down to a new nutritionist which was a side of the sport Clinton overlooked in previous years. No-one can argue with the results, nor can anyone dismiss Woods as a genuine world champion who is more than worthy of respect. Antonio Tarver is the real world champion at light heavyweight, no doubt, but I find myself being swayed more and more towards believing Clinton could take him. First though, Woods must get past Johnson. I think he will this time. Johnson has declined as a fighter, I believe, while Woods has been doing just the opposite. As a result this time Woods will box his way to a comprehensive decision win. After doing this the sky will truly be the limit for Woods. A rematch with Roy Jones, a fight with Tarver (providing Antonio gets by Bernard Hopkins) and then financial security. Along with this his status as the number one in the division will be confirmed.
I know accepting this will be a lot to ask of many boxing fans, but I honestly believe he can do it. His strength, both physical and mental, is now at its very peak and Woods is a determined and ambitious boxer. He is determined not to lose what he worked so hard to achieve and he has the ambition to be recognised as the absolute best in his weight class.
The years 2006 and 2007 will prove to be the defining ones for the man from “The Steel City” in the north of England. Bring on Johnson, Jones and then Tarver!