Clinton Woods fighting in September

[jomothepure]

Just saw a strap line on the BBC site. I'm sure we'll get more news soon.

[Chambers2]

Just saw a strap line on the BBC site. I'm sure we'll get more news soon.

Well that was a retirement of Mayweather proportions

[Chambers2]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7433141.stm

Clinton Woods hopes to return to the ring in September as he bids to win back his IBF light-heavyweight title, reports BBC Radio Sheffield.

The 36-year-old Sheffield fighter considered retiring after losing his crown to Antonio Tarver in April.

But promoter Dennis Hobson said: "It's not going to be easy but Clinton feels he has something to prove.

"We hope to have him back in the ring in September. He's determined to win back his title."

He added: "He had an off-night against Tarver but he's entitled to have a blip in his career."

[rhino222]

well good luck to clinton as he is a great guy and i wish him well, but what level is he coming back too? are we talking of the oakey francis winner then a euro tilt followed by world title shot, or is clinton hoping to get straight back on the world title bus. personally i think he needs to re-group and i think that the winner of oakey francis would be a good bout, and we would know just how much ambition clinton has in the tank.

[GlobalBox]

That was not Woods in there against Tarver, the magic man is not that good, whatever it was there was something not right about Clinton that night as one thing he has always had is a great engine and he had nothing all night in that fight.

Strangely he will probably get a title shot because of that performance he is still a name as a recent ex champion with some good results on his resume and one good win against a decent opponent should see him get another shot.

Don't see why he can't be competitive at world level still, (barring Calzaghe)Dawson is perhaps the best and he certainly is not indestructible after the Johnson performance.

Dawson has been here before and may see it as a simple defence in Sheffield, good payday and whilst I would make Chad a good favourite, I'm more than happy to see Woods get another shot, he has been a good servant to British boxing. Dawson will want what he considers a safe defence after the Johnson fight, it also makes Tarver another 6 months to a year older before Chad takes him on.

[DavidPayne]

Jason DeLisle or Gonzales? You decide?

[twenty six]

Chambers,
To be fair Clinton never announced a retirement.
He said he wanted time to come to terms with his performance.
There was then a suggestion of a mild form of meningitis infection within the camp (totally true cos a guy within the camp contracted it) but subsequent blood tests disproved that Clinton had any strain of the virus.
Clinton's a proud warrior so now he knows it was a bad day at the office, with no excuses, he will want to try and set the record straight.
Good luck to him. A talented boxer and one of the game's all round nice people.

[Old bones Ian]

Strangely he will probably get a title shot because of that performance he is still a name as a recent ex champion with some good results on his resume and one good win against a decent opponent should see him get another shot.

Agree with that

[Eraserhead]

Tarver beats Woods 10 times out of 10. Unfortunately, Clinton didn't lose because he was 'not himself' or 'under the weather', he just lost because he was the inferior fighter. He can't deal with Tarver's style and that was evident from as early as the first 10 seconds of the first round.

[dondada]

Woods just had no self-belief. It really got on my nerves about how he had done so well for a skinny lad from Sheffield, etc.

Yes, you have done brilliantly..but you could have done so much better! I truly believe he had the beating of Tarver if he was on form.

[Dioufy]

I know there's no money in it but what about a 4th fight with Johnson? If he's serious about getting his belt back then this is the most logical fight to take, because some claim that Johnson has a win over Dawson. Although it woukld be a massive test and would be real close.

[twenty six]

...... and there will be a new trainer in the corner.
Likely to be Glyn Rhodes.

[Chambers2]

...... and there will be a new trainer in the corner.
Likely to be Glyn Rhodes.

I'm amazed!

I thought him and Poxon had worked together excellently prior to the Tarver fight, I don't know what's gone on behind the scenes, but I hope it's not a kneejerk reaction to the loss

[twenty six]

They haven't spoken since the Tarver fight.

[stujones]

Thats a bit sad regarding the Poxon situation - seemed to be a great friendship there.

I disagree that Tarver beats Woods 10 times out of 10. For me, there is nothing in a resume to suggest he would. Both seem on the Glengoffe Johnson level. However, Woods gave me the distinct impression that he took the Tarver fight for the pay day and thats all.

I have alot of respect for Clinton and have always been an admirer of what he has done... but, I don't know if its just the way he would react, but to see him smiling and making these "well, I aint done bad for a skinny lad from Sheffield" lines AFTER the fight - well it made me want to throw stuff at the TV. Certainly not a interview of a fighter who had the believe he could win, and gave it his all.

I think Woods vs the Oakey vs Francis winner is ideal for a comeback... he doesn't warrant any kind of eliminator yet.

[josh fg]

Well he's ranked #1 by the EBU so I would suggest that should be his rout, it'd give him good tests and bring back his credibility and world title rankings.

[chesh]

At Clinton's age and with the number of fights he's had, it will probably be very hard to find the motivation to work his way back via the Euro route. For young, recently deposed world champs, that would be beneficial, as good learning fights at that level might prepare them well for a further campaign for world honours.

For Clinton, though, who's been at or near the top for half a decade, I think it could be somewhat demoralising. He's the finished article as a fighter - he's not going to get better now, just older. And time's not on his side. The best he can hope for is one more opportunity against a titleholder who might now view him as low-risk. I would also say the same applies to Witter.