Woods to go back to plastering

Wales
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Woods to go back to plastering

Post by Wales »

Clinton Woods is now planning to go back to plastering after quitting Boxing! I find it quite amazing how only a chosen few make enough to retire on from boxing, for everyone else it's making a crust before finding a "proper job" once you're too old to lace them up.

Makes Hattons comments about not giving Witter a payday almost seem plausible, Im sure Clinton will have made just as much, if not plenty more, than Junior over his 48 fight career.

Life for former IBF light-heavyweight world champion Clinton Woods has come full circle.

He has swapped trading blows in the ring for a return to life skimming walls with a trowel working part-time as a plasterer.

"Financially I've done very well out of boxing," Woods told BBC Sport. "I've a lovely house and I rent out a couple of others. I've done OK.

"I'm not a millionaire and I'll probably go back to plastering two days a week. It's what I did before and I don't mind doing it again.

"I also want to spend more time with my kids," added Woods referring to three-year-old Jude and two-year-old Lola.

"I've had offers to stay in the sport and train some kids and up and coming boxers but I don't know if I want to be stuck in a gym any more, I'm done with that."

It sums up the man from Sheffield who, after 15 years in the circus that is boxing, is unchanged and unaffected by the big purses that have come his way.

If Woods' retirement was low key, his 48-fight career was anything but, as he won a succession of titles and reached the very top of his profession.

The 37-year-old talks proudly when describing the glorious night that saw him win the European, British and Commonwealth titles when defeating Crawford Ashley in 1999.

There was also the highlight of his career, a fifth-round victory over American Rico Hoye to claim the IBF light-heavyweight title in 2005, as well as the coup of defeating top-rated Jamaican Glen Johnson a year later.

Fighting undisputed light-heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr in 2002 is another night that Woods looks back on with fond memories, despite being on the receiving end of the American's full array of tricks.

But with the highs came the lows and losses to Antonio Tarver in 2008 and Tavoris Cloud in August are nights that still haunt Woods.

It was the replay of his points defeat by Cloud in Hollywood, Florida that persuaded Woods to retire.

"At the time I actually thought the fight was close, I was that focused and it was that intense that I thought I had a chance," Woods told BBC Sport.

"But I got home and watched the replay and that was when I decided to retire.

"It was a good fight and I was never tired, but when I watched it and saw the speed of his shots and how young and quick he was that was when I said to myself, 'I don't want to do this any more'.

"I took some big shots that I didn't even remember. I just don't want to be doing that at this stage of my life.

"So it's all over. It's finished. I've retired from boxing. I've been doing it for 15 years now and that is a long time in this sport. It's time for something else."

Woods made his professional debut in 1994 with a points victory over Dave Proctor and in 48 professional fights he lost just five times.

"When I look back at my career I went into the fight game not thinking I was going to win anything and I ended my career having won the lot - British, European, Commonwealth and world titles," said Woods.

"Winning the world title was a dream. I had a few failures first but I worked hard to get my chance. I can't remember much from that night, it's all a bit of blur, but certain things do stick in my mind.

"I remember after the first round I thought to myself, 'he can't catch me'. I knew he was a big puncher but I was too sharp and too quick for him and knew that if he couldn't catch me he'd run out of ideas.

"When I caught him in the fifth I thought, 'it's only a matter of time now', and when the referee stopped it the feeling was indescribable. It wasn't the biggest crowd, but the place was so compact, it felt like I was boxing in front of 100,000."


Beating Ashley was another highlight, with the Sheffield man describing it as the first time he realised he could make a career out of boxing, a career that took him to America to face ring-legend Jones.

"A lot of people dodged him but I never shirked a challenge and fought him at his peak," said Woods.

"I probably enjoyed the fight more than I should have done. I gave him a good fight for five or six rounds and I'm very proud of that.

"It was in front of 16,000 people and who would have thought that a skinny boy from Sheffield would end up in a major fight like that against one of the best boxers in the world?

"His next fight was when he won the world heavyweight title. That's how good he was at the time."

Woods has now been officially recognised as a legend of Sheffield by the City Council and will be honoured with a plaque, which will be placed alongside one of broadcaster, actor and comedian Michael Palin outside the city hall.

As understated as ever though, Woods would prefer to be remembered by the words that were uttered to him by his final foe Cloud: "You were the hardest fighter I've ever met."
Last edited by Wales on 24 Sep 2009, 11:31, edited 2 times in total.
mickey1975
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by mickey1975 »

clinton made a lot more than junior
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by Wales »

My thoguhts exactly... jones Jr, Tarver & the Johnson trilogy will have paid him well. Johnson under sports network banner must've paid quite well, especially for SN to outbid FN at the time.
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by chesh »

I seem to recall an interview a few years ago - when Clinton was champ - in which he said he intended to return to plastering when he hung up his gloves, more to relieve boredom than through financial necessity. Which seems to be the case, as he only intends to work a couple of days a week - and owning 3 houses would hardly suggest he's on his uppers.
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by stujones »

It sounds like Woods is going back mainly to keep active. Sounds like he has been sensible with money.
jamesmcdonnell
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by jamesmcdonnell »

Sensible lad Clinton - why sit around kicking your heels when you could be out earning a few quid and keeping busy.
Old bones Ian
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by Old bones Ian »

He's not back to rags thats for sure, he needs to keep himself busy, so plastering for a couple of days a week will suit him.

Like he says he's got a nice house and a few other properties, so he's not skint.
Wales
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by Wales »

OKay, bag to rags might be an overstatement... but he's not earnt enough to retire, has he?

Owning 3 houses certainarly isnt enough to retire on.
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by DG. »

Wales wrote:OKay, bag to rags might be an overstatement... but he's not earnt enough to retire, has he?

Owning 3 houses certainarly isnt enough to retire on.

Owning 3 houses can be!

Depends on the mortage to loan ratio.

If you have no mortgages and 3 houses you shoud be fine!

My friend has a flat and 2 houses and no mortgage - he has retired..at 39!

He grosses about £3K a month.

I think - as some have said - Clintonis just keeping busy.

Good luck to him!

:DDD
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by Wales »

Of course, it depends on the size of your property!

If he's grossing 3k a month of 3 properties then they must be huge, absolutley massive, and mortgage free.

You have mortgage, tax to pay, some of which will be at 40%, maintenance costs, solicitors fee's...

I cant comment on your mate, I dont know where he lives or the size of his property. But 3 2-3 bedorom houses in North Wales, purchased between 2001-2004 (just before boom) will provide gross profit of around 1k a month. That aint enough to retire on. The only bonus is someone else is paying your mortgage so in 25 / 20 /15 years time your profit will be 3 x <property value> houses.
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by DG. »

Wales wrote:Of course, it depends on the size of your property!

If he's grossing 3k a month of 3 properties then they must be huge, absolutley massive, and mortgage free.

You have mortgage, tax to pay, some of which will be at 40%, maintenance costs, solicitors fee's...

I cant comment on your mate, I dont know where he lives or the size of his property. But 3 2-3 bedorom houses in North Wales, purchased between 2001-2004 (just before boom) will provide gross profit of around 1k a month. That aint enough to retire on. The only bonus is someone else is paying your mortgage so in 25 / 20 /15 years time your profit will be 3 x <property value> houses.
As OI said Mortgage to loan ratio!

London for 1 house and Leeds for the other 2.

In London a 1 bedroom flat in an average area yields about £800.00 a month.

Oh yes, they are mortgage free!

Paid off all the mortgages wih the sales of 1 flat (2 bed ) that he bought from the council 15 years ago for £11K!

Sold it for £380k!

Clapham SW4!

He does not pay much tax as he has bought another place with the 'profit' and offsets the tax against that and his brother lives in the other place.

:DDD
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by tonyevs »

I got 3houses .. 2 mortgage free .. still along way off being financially able to retire :(


Good luck to Clinton. Being in the trade he is will help him build up what he already has if he so wishes.
Last edited by tonyevs on 23 Sep 2009, 10:24, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by DG. »

tonyevs wrote:I got 3houses .. 2 mortgage free .. still along way off being financially able to retire :(
You are nearer than most!


:TU:
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by tonyevs »

DG. wrote:
tonyevs wrote:I got 3houses .. 2 mortgage free .. still along way off being financially able to retire :(
You are nearer than most!


:TU:

S.Wales has alot of catching to do to get to SW4 prices ... sadly :wink:
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by dazzathtethai »

The problem with so many sports men who earn "enough" to retire on is they are retiring at 40 after a life in the "public Eye" and then what do they do. Sit around and drink there earnings coz they are bored. Plastering a couple of days a wekk will give him something to do and probably help keep his feet on the ground, not that his ever really left the ground
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by Deserter »

Sorry Wales, but the title of the thread is so inappropriate. There are so many boxers this could apply to from Joe Louis through to Pernell Whittaker. But Woods is actually a great role model for other boxers in terms of making sensible investments with his hard-earned cash and then showing enough groundedness to go back to a 'normal' job.
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by lowersmiths »

yes, woods is one of the men who have come through unscathed. he never thought he was a big shot and that is why the people of sheffield love him. he's an honest lad who has earned a few bob in the boxing game. there is certainly no shame in being a plasterer, what's the big deal about him doing it now. clinton is the same man now as when he started punching for pay. he is one of the biggest success stories in recent years. remember - you never hear clinton woods referring to himself in the third person, and that's the mark of a true working class hero.
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by alexpaterson »

He has done really well for himself now he is going back to what he's done before seems like a down to earth guy good luck to him
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by Scrap »

Plastering That should read Property Market :lol: . understating as usual is Clint, He has more Pound Noetes than Harry Lipton has, Tea Leafs :TU:
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by Nightmare Roy »

Wales wrote:OKay, bag to rags might be an overstatement... but he's not earnt enough to retire, has he?

Owning 3 houses certainarly isnt enough to retire on.
If i own a lovely house for my self and my family and a couple more which i can rent out and then only have to work two days a week before i'm 40, i'll be a happy man. Clinton has done well out of boxing and i'm willing to bet in 10-15 years time he has more money left than the likes of flash harry's Floyd, Holyfield etc.
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by Coco »

mrrocco wrote:Lloyd honeyghan is unfortunately the best example of rags - riches- rags
I know Lloyd was made bankrupt after earning millions, but I didn't think he was skint?
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by Colesy »

Clinton sounds like a success to me. Top career, over achiever and still with his senses and family.

Rags to Riches, in boxing, too many to mention. Joe Louis, Sonny Liston, Aaron Pryor, Beau Jack even Sugar Ray Robinson. Joe Louis maybe the saddest, especially after Uncle Sam took him to the cleaners, despite Joe giving loads to the war cause.
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Re: Rags to ritches then back to rags

Post by Wales »

Deserter wrote:Sorry Wales, but the title of the thread is so inappropriate. There are so many boxers this could apply to from Joe Louis through to Pernell Whittaker. But Woods is actually a great role model for other boxers in terms of making sensible investments with his hard-earned cash and then showing enough groundedness to go back to a 'normal' job.
Noted, I'll change it...
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Re: Wood to go back to plastering

Post by twenty six »

Scrap,
The old adage behind every good man there's a good woman ......
Mrs Woods is in charge of the finances - end of !
Clinton has enough about him to be successful at whatever he turns his hand to.
Plastering is where he feels comfortable for now.
There may be other business interests offered to him in the future.
After all he's got all that caravanning to pay for ! :TU:
Great fella in and outside the ring.
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Re: Wood to go back to plastering

Post by martin_g91 »

Regardless of the property side of this story and the "keeping busy" side (both of which I understand) I am amazed that a former British, Commonwealth and European Champion, World Champion, Roy Jones Jr challenger and owner of a bloody long record at World title level (his unsuccessful challenges and draws ect) is NOT a millionair ?

Woods does not strike me as a fool who spends everything he earned on cars and nights out. I think I remember reading about him being into fishing and having a caravan holiday home ?

If he aint got a million in the bank it's down right wrong.
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