The Woods-Johnson rematch: who wins?

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 25 Jan 2004, 19:03

Clinton Woods faces Glencoffe Johnson again for the vacant IBF light-heavyweight title on February 6 in Sheffield. Their last fight ended in a controversial draw in November, with many feeling Johnson was robbed (controversial decisions in boxing, never!). But Johnson turned 35 last month, and the Woods fight was his 50th in a long, hard and illustrious career.
When will that start to show?
Woods claims he hurt his left hand in their first fight, which prevented him fighting full out (we possibly have to take that with a pinch of salt). But he's the younger man at 31, and enjoys hometown advantage again of course.
So who wins?

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 26 Jan 2004, 07:48

For me, there shouldn't be a rematch Glencoffe won quite clearly. I think he's got to be a favourite going in this time. I believe Woods can win this one, but he's got to be aggressive, he's got to be first. I don't think Glencoffe is half the fighter on the back foot, likewise I don't think Woods is a world class back foot fighter.

If its the Clinton with the "never say die" attitude we saw against Ashley, Klemensen and for a few rounds against Woods. Then I think he can win. If Woods thinks he can outbox and outjab Johnson - then this time Glencoffe will get the decision he deserved last time.

So, in essence, for me it's entirely down to Woods. However, I just have the feeling that he believes he can outbox him and will make a costly tactical mistake. Costing him the contest on points.

I don't think a loss to Johnson will be the end of Woods' world title aspirations. I honestly believe that Johnson (when given the proper prep time) would be more than a match for Tarver, so I don't think we should all go "Woods is overated" whatever the outcome of the next fight.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 26 Jan 2004, 07:55

Hard to be sure as both are knocking on a bit these days, but I reckon the more agressive Johnson beats Woods over 12....again. But will he get the decison??

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 26 Jan 2004, 08:01

Well Buncey and Woodhall seem to think it'll be totally different next time, not ever so sure why. Woods while tough as nails has never really had a great engine and he was simply out worked last time because of that.

Is our Clint going control Johnson behind the jab this time? I'll believe it when I see it. Good luck to the lad though, it's a nice fight to look forward to.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 26 Jan 2004, 09:30

Bookies are totally split. It's about 11/10 on Johnson and 11/8 Woods.

jameswilson · Post by **jameswilson** » 26 Jan 2004, 10:00

Woods for me should he win itll be another World Champ coming out of Britain. Id like to see him fight the Italian guy who is WBA champ as well later this year.

shakermaker · Post by **shakermaker** » 26 Jan 2004, 12:41

I'm edging towards Woods and might have a flutter. I can't see Glencoffe coming out with the same ferocity as last time (I had winning by around 3 rounds). Woods needs to grab this chance with both hands because he's lucky he got a second shot at a proper world title after nearing throwing it away last time out.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 26 Jan 2004, 12:41

But did Woods get as close as he's ever going to get last time?
This really is a pick 'em fight. I haven't got any idea with this one (we all know who's going to win most fights, or certainly have a fair idea, but this one is tough).

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 26 Jan 2004, 12:50

shakermaker wrote:I can't see Glencoffe coming out with the same ferocity as last time

Why not? That's what Johnson is all about. And it's not like he had to absorb terrible punishment over the 12 rounds against Woods.

Expect Johnson to be just as good again, it's about whether Clinton can improve on his performance. Many are confident he will, I'm not so sure he can but I'll be cheering him all the way regardless cause he's such a nice bloke.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 26 Jan 2004, 12:52

Good call, Dan.

shakermaker · Post by **shakermaker** » 26 Jan 2004, 13:00

my earlier point not explained fully/well was that I expect Woods to deal with it (the pressure) better so that Glencoffe isn't as effective plus the first fight wasn't the first time he'd been stiffed recently and once again he has to get his body into the kind of shape that can sustain a frantic pace for 12 rounds knowing full well he might not get the decision again like last time. Will he be as committed and dedicated as he was last time out? I hope he is but it must be hard for a man at his age to come so close and seem always short changed.

Woods has got two options IMO

1) Box and move and use that jab of his to rack up enough points

or

2)meet fire with fire

I think he'll have plans to do 1 but get dragged into how the first fight went and then its in the hands of the judges. If he has such a slow start as he did in the first fight he deserves a good talking to!!!

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 26 Jan 2004, 13:16

It could just be that Johnson is a better fighter. Woods it seems can match him for toughness but not athleticism. That's what set them apart before and could well do again.

I'm having difficulty believing in the confidence coming from the Woods camp. I hope I'm proven wrong.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 26 Jan 2004, 13:19

shakermaker wrote:
2)meet fire with fire

This is what's Woods has to do. He simply isn't quick enough at this level to outbox them. I'm sure even an aging Ashley would have beaten him if Woods didn't fight ala Collins in the rematch with Eubank. Whether Woods likes it or not, this is his best way of fighting - and he showed that when Johnson is on the back foot he's beatable.

The same I'll be stating for the other future geniune world title fight heading to these shoares.

shakermaker · Post by **shakermaker** » 26 Jan 2004, 13:31

if he does pick option 2 we're in for one hell of a fight

Hardhitters11 · Post by **Hardhitters11** » 26 Jan 2004, 14:19

Looking forward to this one and will definately being predicting a win for Johnson..

HH