Woods gets another chance at gold

[J]

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 were 8) if you like.

[Eric the Viking]

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

Do you think it's an actual deterioration in his game you're seeing, or merely the result of getting in the ring with world-class competition? He had good wins over guys like Ole Klemetsen and Yawe Davis before getting the title shot vs. Jones, but neither of these guys is in the same league as guys like Johnson and Jones. How did he look in his 3 KO wins between Jones and the first Johnson fight?

[bennie]

Not great. He shipped a lot of right hands from the American whose name escapes me now in the fight before Johnson I.

[glittermonkey]

I think it's definitely a deterioration in his abilities, although being in with Jones and Johnson didn't really make him look outstanding. I guess to know for sure we'll have to see him fighting guys of a similar standard to himself again.

[bennie]

Is the Richard Hall fight definitely confirmed for Woods?

[Eric the Viking]

Is the Richard Hall fight definitely confirmed for Woods?

I haven't heard definitive confirmation, but BoxRec now lists Hoye as Hall's next opponent, whereas Woods' record has a question mark in the next-opponent's name field. Last night, after fightnews broke the Hall/Hoye news, Hall's record still had both Hoye & Woods listed as scheduled fights - I don't know if it was some sort of additional confirmation that caused the editor(s) to remove Hall/Woods.

[The REAL McCoy]

Respect to Woods for fighting another top 10 fighter, but McCoy thinks this is a fight that he will lose on points.

[stujones]

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

Do you think it's an actual deterioration in his game you're seeing, or merely the result of getting in the ring with world-class competition? He had good wins over guys like Ole Klemetsen and Yawe Davis before getting the title shot vs. Jones, but neither of these guys is in the same league as guys like Johnson and Jones. How did he look in his 3 KO wins between Jones and the first Johnson fight?

I don't see it as a deterioation its just he doesn't quite cut it at world level as a boxer. Woods the agressor with the engine, is an altogether different fighter, and one I believe can capture a real world title.

Woods' the boxer got done by Starie in the past (okay, there were weight making issues), I have never been convinced of him as a boxer, Ashley would have beaten him if he adopted the tactics he chose against Demetrius Jenkins (there the name!) and Glencoffe Johnson. He wasn't as agreesive vs Yawe Davis and shipped to many shots for my liking there.

He's a solid European level boxer, but a world class Fighter.

The way he took it to Ashley reminded me alot of Steve Collins against Chris Eubank in their second meeting. I still believe it is in him to reproduce this, but he seems more confident than I am in his boxing ability.

[jamesmcdonnell]

So is this fight on or off then?