Woods gets another chance at gold

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 04 May 2004, 11:23

http://www.secondsout.com/UK/news.cfm?ccs=228&cs=13256

By Anthony Evans: Sheffield light-heavyweight Clinton Woods will face fellow three-time world title challenger Richard 'the Destroyer' Hall on May 28 in an official final eliminator for the International Boxing Federation world title.

Woods lost an IBF title challenge to Glen Johnson on points in Februarypic by Mr Will . However, he did hold Johnson, an American-based Jamaican like Hall, to a debatable draw last October and promoters Fight Academy managed to secure the box-puncher another route towards the world title.

It is a massive stakes fight, with the winner getting a guaranteed shot against the victor of the June 5 Johnson v Joe Calzaghe fight, while a loss here would leave the runner-up with nowhere to go.

Hall is a dangerous fighter, as he proved in losing valiantly to Roy Jones Junior and also appearing desperately unfortunate in two WBO title challenges to Dariusz Michalczewski. The 27-4 (25) Hall has won two fights since his brace of German disappointments - including an impressive off the canvas stoppage of "Mr KO" Julian Letterlough last summer.

"The fight will probably go ahead in Sheffield," said Fight Academy's Robert Waterman.

Woods v Hall, a genuine 50/50 contest, may go ahead without television. Ticket information call 0114 2560555.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 04 May 2004, 11:31

Good work by Woods' camp.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 04 May 2004, 11:32

I really don't want to see Calzaghe v Woods 8)

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 04 May 2004, 11:32

wounder if i can get in free by giving woods some hall fights hmmmmmmmmmmmmm 8)

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 04 May 2004, 11:39

Well after foolishly saying I don't think Woods will have too much problems before the first Johnson fight, it has become apparent that I have overrated Woods in the past.

This is a geniune 50/50 fight and one I'm not sure Woods should take. Even if he wins, he has a very difficult assigment in the IBF fight, who ever is the champion.

IMO the weak link of four impressive champions is Tiozzo, this guy has been around for ever and I've never considered him a great champion. Woods and Oboh should focus on him.

I know Dariuz has had all kinds of problems with Hall, and although Dariuz is fading he (IMO) still did enough to beat Gonzales, so he's not completely done. So, I think I am just going to give Hall the edge.

Who knows if Calzaghe beats Johnston but struggles beyond belief, he might decide that a move up is not the correct option. This fight, in theory, should be promoted to being for the IBF title proper.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 04 May 2004, 11:45

Hall is a decent fighter, as good as Johnson I'd say. Wouldn't fancy Clintons chances, we've seen his level now.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 04 May 2004, 11:56

Just been checking out Hall's record. He IS a good fighter. And a good puncher. Think he's only won two of his fights by decision.

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 04 May 2004, 14:17

bennie wrote:Just been checking out Hall's record. He IS a good fighter. And a good puncher. Think he's only won two of his fights by decision.

He will spark Woods, no question.

Lefthookhappy19 · Post by **Lefthookhappy19** » 04 May 2004, 14:43

Hall is tall and can punch but Clinton Woods has an excellent chin and its gonna take a massive shot to put Clinton down. Jones and Johnson hurt Woods to the body though.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 04 May 2004, 15:24

Good matchamaking for a payday but i only see one winner and that is Hall, sorry Clinton :( And to think i was shouting for Woods-Briggs a while ago! I know Briggs was, and now i see why, Woods would have got sparked and early

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 04 May 2004, 16:12

How on earth does Woods deserve to be involved in an elimantor?

We see this time and time again with fighters that fall just short of world class, they seem to get title oppourtunity's handed to them on a plate.

Zhuge · Post by **Zhuge** » 04 May 2004, 16:19

Twinkle Toes wrote:How on earth does Woods deserve to be involved in an elimantor?

We see this time and time again with fighters that fall just short of world class, they seem to get title oppourtunity's handed to them on a plate.

The easy answer is who else at 175 is there? The division isn't devoid of talent, but it's not that deep either. Most everyone there is either a newcomer or someone who RJJ already beat. When you measure them against Jones, Woods still ranks relatively well.

neil r · Post by **neil r** » 04 May 2004, 16:22

Twinkle Toes wrote:How on earth does Woods deserve to be involved in an elimantor?

We see this time and time again with fighters that fall just short of world class, they seem to get title oppourtunity's handed to them on a plate.

my thoughts exactly. woods had his chance but he failed to beat the man (rjj) its probably an obvious point but its no wonder the games in such a state just now. you get beat by the champ but hang around long enough, dont have any decent fights in the meantime and youll get a meaningless scrap someones thrown from the table of some half arsed "world governing body"

incidently if woods loses this where he going to go?

Zhuge · Post by **Zhuge** » 04 May 2004, 16:30

neil r wrote:
Twinkle Toes wrote:How on earth does Woods deserve to be involved in an elimantor?

We see this time and time again with fighters that fall just short of world class, they seem to get title oppourtunity's handed to them on a plate.
my thoughts exactly. woods had his chance but he failed to beat the man (rjj) its probably an obvious point but its no wonder the games in such a state just now. you get beat by the champ but hang around long enough, dont have any decent fights in the meantime and youll get a meaningless scrap someones thrown from the table of some half arsed "world governing body"

incidently if woods loses this where he going to go?

It seems like he would have to go back to the domestic level if he loses. Perhaps challenge Barney for the WBU belt?

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 04 May 2004, 16:37

Zhuge wrote:
The easy answer is who else at 175 is there? The division isn't devoid of talent, but it's not that deep either. Most everyone there is either a newcomer or someone who RJJ already beat. When you measure them against Jones, Woods still ranks relatively well.

I see your point, but let someone else have a go at the title. Clinton has had two shots at the IBF already. Why allow him into an eliminator coming of the back of a loss?

That's crazy.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 04 May 2004, 16:42

Fightnews have just broken this story: Rick Griffith, trainer for up-and-coming Detroit light heavyweight Rico Hoye, 16-0 (13), contacted fightnews to say that Hoye is pulling out of his scheduled May 20 Sho-Box appearance vs. Danny Batchelder and will instead be appearing on the May 15, 2004, Jones vs. Tarver II undercard in an official IBF eliminator for the #1 ranking vs. three-time world title challenger Richard Hall, 27-4 (25). Despite already being the NABF, NABO, WBC Continental Americas and IBA Continental light heavyweight champion, Hoye will be facing his toughest competition to date in Hall, who fought two sensational wars vs. then WBO champion Dariusz Michalczewski, stopped Julian "Mr. KO" Letterlough and decisioned former NABA champion Rodney Moore in his last four outings.

neil r · Post by **neil r** » 04 May 2004, 16:44

Zhuge wrote:
neil r wrote:
Twinkle Toes wrote:How on earth does Woods deserve to be involved in an elimantor?

We see this time and time again with fighters that fall just short of world class, they seem to get title oppourtunity's handed to them on a plate.
my thoughts exactly. woods had his chance but he failed to beat the man (rjj) its probably an obvious point but its no wonder the games in such a state just now. you get beat by the champ but hang around long enough, dont have any decent fights in the meantime and youll get a meaningless scrap someones thrown from the table of some half arsed "world governing body"

incidently if woods loses this where he going to go?
It seems like he would have to go back to the domestic level if he loses. Perhaps challenge Barney for the WBU belt?

good enough for domestic level at best but still in with a chance of being the wbu's champion of the world!! kind of proves the point

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 04 May 2004, 16:58

bennie wrote:Fightnews have just broken this story: Rick Griffith, trainer for up-and-coming Detroit light heavyweight Rico Hoye, 16-0 (13), contacted fightnews to say that Hoye is pulling out of his scheduled May 20 Sho-Box appearance vs. Danny Batchelder and will instead be appearing on the May 15, 2004, Jones vs. Tarver II undercard in an official IBF eliminator for the #1 ranking vs. three-time world title challenger Richard Hall, 27-4 (25). Despite already being the NABF, NABO, WBC Continental Americas and IBA Continental light heavyweight champion, Hoye will be facing his toughest competition to date in Hall, who fought two sensational wars vs. then WBO champion Dariusz Michalczewski, stopped Julian "Mr. KO" Letterlough and decisioned former NABA champion Rodney Moore in his last four outings.

hall would take that fight i think

Zhuge · Post by **Zhuge** » 04 May 2004, 17:09

neil r wrote:
good enough for domestic level at best but still in with a chance of being the wbu's champion of the world!! kind of proves the point

I sort of always equate WBU to domestic level

Zhuge · Post by **Zhuge** » 04 May 2004, 17:10

Twinkle Toes wrote:
Zhuge wrote:
The easy answer is who else at 175 is there? The division isn't devoid of talent, but it's not that deep either. Most everyone there is either a newcomer or someone who RJJ already beat. When you measure them against Jones, Woods still ranks relatively well.
I see your point, but let someone else have a go at the title. Clinton has had two shots at the IBF already. Why allow him into an eliminator coming of the back of a loss?

That's crazy.

True enough, but Hall has also had several shots at a title (two tries against Darius and once against RJJ) and came up short each time. At least Woods came away with a draw once. May be a moot point though if Hoye is going to get the match instead.

Eric the Viking · Post by **Eric the Viking** » 04 May 2004, 17:19

Zhuge wrote:Hall has also had several shots at a title (two tries against Darius and once against RJJ) and came up short each time. At least Woods came away with a draw once. May be a moot point though if Hoye is going to get the match instead.

True, but Hall/RJJ was for the unified major belts, after which Hall was apparently considered "safe" enough to get a shot at DM's WBO title. And after his most-recent loss, Hall had 2 wins (including the one over Letterlough), i.e. had to work his way back into contention. Woods should have to do the same.

But if Hall is indeed going to fight in an IBF eliminator on the May 15th Jones/Tarver card I suppose it's moot.

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 05 May 2004, 05:26

Lefthookhappy19 wrote:Hall is tall and can punch but Clinton Woods has an excellent chin and its gonna take a massive shot to put Clinton down. Jones and Johnson hurt Woods to the body though.

I would say that Hall hits harder than both Jones and Johnson

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 05 May 2004, 05:32

Yeah I hate to say, but I can see Woods being stopped this time. He is too easy to hit and Johnson was pretty close to stopping him in their contest.

I not sure if its wise for this particular contest, but I STILL maintain that Woods is at his best when he is the all punching agressor, like he was vs Ashley and Klemesten. Those two performances stand out (for me) as world class. Woods as a boxer just doesn't quite cut it at the highest level. He could probably outbox any of the domestic fighters, but as he we saw TWICE against Johnston, he two slow and gets caught to often.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 05 May 2004, 06:07

I was just about to submit a post about how i think that Woods has deteriorated a little over the last few years. How he seems to be a little slower (both handspeed, and on his feet), and how he seems to be taking shots that maybe he wouldn't have taken 18 months-2 years ago. Then i read Stu's post and he's already said that. :x

I then decided to make the point that if he wins this fight i can't see him being able to win the title next time out. Read further up the thread and Stu made that point as well. :x

Thats left me with just one thing, Woods is one of the guys that i'll always want to see do well. He's such a decent bloke, and has never given less than his best. His fights are always value for money.

Stujones i curse you.

J · Post by J » 05 May 2004, 06:11

agreed Gm he looked much better in the fights on the run up his big fight against RJJ than since, buta likeable good solid pro who just seems short of catching that real belt unless its its at the right time at the right place you know.

Bit like Billy Schwer was if you like.