Sheffield man Clinton Woods attempts to regain his old IBF Light Heavyweight title next week at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood next weekend.
However his opponent, Floridian Tavoris Cloud has claimed that he is so confident in his youth and energy that he's not even bothered to watch any clips on Clinton Woods.
"I haven't watched any video on him. There's no need. Everybody in the world knows how he fights. I don't need to study tape for Woods. I know what he's bringing. Everyone does." Cloud informed Bob Westerdale at the Sheffield Star.
Clinton has commented that although his win over Julio Gonzalez was respectable, he recognises no other names on his record - to which Cloud retorted that "We'll see how feels about my previous competition on the 28th when I add him to my resume."
At 6'2 Clinton has a height advantage over the stocky 5'10 Cloud. But at 37 years of age, will be conceding a decade in youth.
Unbeaten, big punching Cloud has stopped 18 of his 19 opponents to date. But has not fought for a year. His last victory was against Gonzalez in August 2008. Ring rust may be an issue. Also Cloud has only been 10 rounds once, with all his other victories coming usually inside the first 3 or 4 rounds by knockout.
A seasoned veteran like Woods should in theory prove whether or not Cloud is legit. Woods, who stunk the joint out against Antonio Tarver in December, bounced back with an impressive win over Elvir Muriqi earlier this year. Ironically Muriqi gave Tarver all he could handle in their recent fight wheras Clinton couldn't muster anything against Taver.
This perhaps underlines the theory that Clinton was just plain ill during the Tarver fight. However critics claim that Clinton loses his bottle whenever he fights abroad and Tavoris will end the Sheffield man's career next Friday.
Whatever happens, it should be a very interesting fight.
and there are no british/commonwealth/european ibf champ journeymen