17.07.06 – Promoter Frank Warren is delighted to announce that the IBF World Light-Heavyweight title showdown between Clinton Woods and Glencoffe Johnson will take place on his next super-show at the Bolton Arena on Saturday 2nd September. Warren, together with Johnson’s promoter Warriors Boxing teamed up to win the right to stage the fight after submitting a purse bid last month to scupper the surprisingly low bid put in by Woods’ own Promoter, Dennis Hobson.
The show billed as, “FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE!”, will see Woods-Johnson ‘3’ co-feature alongside classy Frenchman, Souleymane M’Baye’s challenge for the vacant WBA Light-Welterweight Championship against Argentine, Raul Balbi – just a few miles up the road from where Ricky Hatton, the former title holder who chose to vacate the WBA crown rather than face his mandatory challenger, resides. The third Championship on the show will see a potentially explosive clash between Takaloo and Michael Jennings for the WBU World Welterweight Championship.
In addition to three world titles, the evening’s special attraction sees Bolton favourite Amir Khan return to the scene of his professional Debut at the Bolton Arena over a year ago.. Now unbeaten in eight fights and with 6 knockouts to his name, the Olympic Silver Medallist has thrilled packed arenas around Britain with his flash, all-action, style and is looking to continue on the road to his first title by putting on an equally impressive show in front of his beloved Bolton crowd.
Since his last clash with Clinton Woods, Glenn Johnson has beaten Roy Jones Jnr and remains an undefeated former IBF 175lb champion. The tough Jamaican is confident of returning to the UK and repeating his February 2004 victory over Woods – the first fight in November 2003 ended in a controversial draw with many ringside observers feeling that Johnson had done enough to win and was given a raw deal by the judges.
Although both previous encounters were in Britain, Johnson believes home advantage will not help the Sheffield fighter in this, the final chapter of their trilogy.
The Miami based Jamaican, nicknamed the ‘Road Warrior’ said; “I’m looking forward to returning to Britain for a forth time and reclaiming my IBF title, I have never lost in the UK so it is a good omen for me to come back.. I have a great deal of respect for the IBF Championship and want to be their proud standard bearer at 175lbs. I gave up the title and never lost it in the ring so Clinton has to beat me to be able to call himself the champion, he will not do that I can guarantee. I’ve heard that Clinton has commented that he is going to knock me out but I hope that when he is unsuccessful he has fully prepared himself to be knocked out.
A Johnson win could finally see a clash against WBO/IBF World Super-Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe who is looking to step up and make his mark in the light-heavyweight division to finally achieve his dream of becoming a two-weight world champion. Woods himself has been offered a big payday to face Calzaghe but to-date has been reluctant to face the Welshman in an all-British World title showdown, preferring a third fight with Glenn Johnson, a decision, should he lose, he may bitterly regret.
Promoter Frank Warren said, “The previous Woods and Johnson fights have been extremely close affairs and I fully expect the third fight to be a continuation of the same. Bolton Arena will host a great show featuring two other 50/50 World Title clashes with Souleymane M’Baye aiming to show the Lancashire fans just why Ricky Hatton avoided him when he clashes with Raul Balbi for the vacant WBA World Light Welterweight title. Takaloo and Michael Jennings is a mouth watering prospect, which I am sure, will have the fans on the edge of their seats throughout. Of course, with Bolton’s favourite son Amir Khan also on the bill and a superb under card the fans are in for a real. In short, this is a great show to kick-start the new season with”.
Leon Margules, Executive Director of Warriors Boxing, commented, “I am very excited about working alongside Britain’s top promoter Frank Warren for this fight and I am confident that Glen will come out the winner once again and complete the trilogy once and for all.”
Tickets “For A Few Dollars More!” are priced at £40, £50, £75, £100 & £150 and are available NOW from:
WWW.FRANKWARREN.TV
TICKET MASTER: 0870 602 1122 www.ticketmaster.co.uk
KHAN BOXING: 01204 535 332 www.amirkhan-boxing.com
REEBOK STADIUM EVENTS: 0871 871 2932 www.reebokstadiumevents.co.uk
BOLTON ARENA BOX OFFICE: 01204 488 100