by James Slater: Former IBF light-heavyweight champion Clinton Woods was comprehensively defeated by Antonio Tarver back in April. Losing his precious world championship belt, the 36-year-old considered calling it a career and retiring – so disappointed was he with his poor performance..
But now, almost three months after the Tampa, Florida fight, Woods has had an about turn and has changed his mind. One of the major reasons for doing so and deciding not to quit is the recent revelation that Clinton more than likely fought Tarver whilst handicapped by some kind of virus. This, Woods believes, was one of the major factors in his below par display. Convinced he can reach the heights once again, Woods is set to make his ring return this coming September – his motivation now being to avenge his loss and/or become a world champion again.
Talking to BBC radio recently, Woods, who has just turned 36, made it clear he wants to fight again and that he realises it will be no easy road getting his title back.
“I feel I have a point to prove after losing to Tarver,” Woods said. “That wasn’t me in that ring. There’s no way I want to call it a day after that performance. I know it’s going to be tough and my next two fights will probably be more difficult than a world title fight, but I’m ready. I want to pay back my fans who spent a lot of money going to watch me in America.”
It’s easy to see where Woods is coming from. Whenever a fighter truly feels he lost a big fight primarily because he just wasn’t firing on all cylinders it’s natural for that fighter to want to prove he is a better boxer than he appeared to be whilst losing. And Clinton, an extremely level headed guy, is not making excuses for his loss to Tarver, he isn’t that kind of man. If the Sheffield fighter says he wasn’t at his best on April 12th, he means it. Still, as Woods himself says, getting back on top will be extremely hard for him. Certainly a return fight with Tarver looks like a long shot. It will be interesting to see which route Woods takes should a rematch not come off – as will it be interesting to see who Clinton faces next.
Would the 36-year-old have a chance against any of the other reigning world champs at light-heavyweight? A fight with Chad Dawson, the current WBC champ, would probably present Woods with his best chance, in this writer’s opinion. One thing looks clear, though – Clinton can forget about a big fight with fellow Brit and lineal champion at 175 pounds, Joe Calzaghe.
No-one should be ready to write Woods off just yet, however. Let’s wait until September, and his initial comeback fight, before we gauge how much the former champ has left.