Woods interview.... discusses Calzaghe.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 18 Apr 2005, 08:34

Source - Craig Watt Fightnews.

IBF light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods (37-3-1) confirmed to Fightnews.com that he would like to take on Roy Jones or Glen Johnson in the first defense of his title. He secured the title with his best performance in 41 fights when the 32 year old from Sheffield destroyed Rico Hoye (18-1) in five rounds. Although WBO super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe has expressed a desire to move to 175 pounds and take on Woods the new champion does not see this in his immediate plans for 2005. For Woods the fifth round stoppage of Rico Hoye was his career defining performance and represents the only UK fighter who holds one of the three main governing body titles at world level.

Clinton- how does it feel to be IBF light heavyweight champion of the world?

This is a magical feeling and one that is a reward for 10 years of hard work. After losing in three seperate attempts for a major title many people wrote me off. However, with the calibre of people I have fought such as Roy Jones and two fights against Glen Johnson then you can do nothing but learn and get better. Although I lost two of the fights and drew the other these fights they gave me such excellent learning experiences that I was able to build on for Rico Hoye.

Many people felt you were the underdog for the fight against the unbeaten Rico Hoye --were you always so confident of victory?

I always respect a fighter who has an unbeaten record because no one has ever dented their record but I just looked at my comparative record of 40 fights and 22 wins by KO and realised I had more KO's than Rico Hoye had fights. He was a tough fighter but I trained so hard and addressed an iron deficiency that was detected after the two fights with Glen Johnson and I went into the ring in the best shape of my life. As I have risen up the world rankings I now appreciate how important diet and nutrition is to a top class fighter. This is the difference between the old Clinton Woods and the IBF champion Clinton Woods. I even felt strong after the fight and possibly referee Ian John Lewis saved him from some nasty punishment.

Against Glen Johnson you seemed to start slow but against Rico Hoye you came out fast from the first- was this your plan?

Yes. It is true that certainly in the second fight against Glen Johnson I never got out the traps in the first half of the fight and he built up a commanding points lead. This is why we were so keen to start well and I had caught him with some damaging shots which gave me encouragement and inspiration that I could stop Hoye. I thought I may win by stoppage but not until the later rounds so this was my best performance to date. He was tough but once he started to take my power shots and I saw the progress they made I knew I could stop him.

When will you make your first title defense?

My manager Dennis Hobson is planning that I will make the first defense of my IBF title in the last week in July.

Who would you like to fight?

Some people have said to me why don't you make an easy defense in Sheffield for your first defense of the title but I have said to Dennis I am at the stage of my career that I do not want easy fights. Against a live and dangerous unbeaten fighter like Rico Hoye I am at my best. This is the standard of opponent I want. My preference is to try and gain revenge on the two major fighters that have beat me in Roy Jones and Glen Johnson. The timing of the Johnson-Tarver rematch will prevent this being my first defense but these are the two fighters I want to take on. Although it would be nice to make my first defense in Sheffield I am quite prepared to travel to the US if TV wants me to. I want to unify the 175 pound division and that means fights against top fighters with major titles.

What about a fight with WBO super-middleweight champon Joe Calzaghe?

That is not in my immediate plans. Joe is a top champion at 168 pounds and I know he wants to move up in weight but I would like him to fight some of the men I have beaten or at least work his way up the IBF rankings with some meaningful fights against meaningful light-heavyweights. I respect Joe's achievements greatly and he is an excellent fighter and hopefully later in 2005 or 2006 we can make this a meaningful light-heavyweight fight. Perhaps a fight with Rico Hoye would be a good benchmark of his potential at 175 pounds. I do not want to get into a slagging match with Joe as this is not my style- I just want more unification and challenging fights against the elite at 175 pounds. A third fight with Glen Johnson or a match with Roy Jones is now my preferred option.

dve3333 · Post by **dve3333** » 18 Apr 2005, 08:43

I think he should get Jones to come to Sheffield and go for revenge and I think Jones, if he fights on would take him up on the offer

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 18 Apr 2005, 08:52

dve3333 wrote:I think he should get Jones to come to Sheffield and go for revenge and I think Jones, if he fights on would take him up on the offer

With that I agree, personally I would have gone for an easy first defence - but I can see Woods' argument against that also.

Jones vs Woods II would be fantastic - I think Roy is due his one last good fight - he did look good in the opening minutes of the Tarver rematch.

dve3333 · Post by **dve3333** » 18 Apr 2005, 09:01

stujones wrote:
dve3333 wrote:I think he should get Jones to come to Sheffield and go for revenge and I think Jones, if he fights on would take him up on the offer
With that I agree, personally I would have gone for an easy first defence - but I can see Woods' argument against that also.

Jones vs Woods II would be fantastic - I think Roy is due his one last good fight - he did look good in the opening minutes of the Tarver rematch.

A win over Jones would also set up a natural fight with the winner of Tarver - Johnson

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 18 Apr 2005, 09:12

woods interview...dismisses calzaghe

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 18 Apr 2005, 09:19

Personally I think Jones is finished, he did absolutely nothing against Johnson, just stood there getting pushed around the ring, I don't know what's wrong with him but I cannot see him coming back from that to be any kind of a force.

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 18 Apr 2005, 09:23

Nothing personal about that, Jones is finished IPSO FACTO, I can't imagine a more shot fighter than the tired, bumbling, gaunt drunk who got brutalised by johnson.

This won't stop a rejuvinated Woods making further mincemeat out of the remains of Jones.

dve3333 · Post by **dve3333** » 18 Apr 2005, 09:25

Riddick Blowe wrote:Nothing personal about that, Jones is finished IPSO FACTO, I can't imagine a more shot fighter than the tired, bumbling, gaunt drunk who got brutalised by johnson.

This won't stop a rejuvinated Woods making further mincemeat out of the remains of Jones.

Which is preciely why Woods should want to fight him

EddieShredder · Post by **EddieShredder** » 18 Apr 2005, 09:27

I'd give Woods an even chance against both Jones and Johnson now. I think he can perform much better than he did in the second Johnson fight, and really think he could beat both Jones and Johnson if he got a rematch.
Funnily enough... I think Tarver would pose Woods the biggest danger at LH.

dve3333 · Post by **dve3333** » 18 Apr 2005, 09:31

EddieShredder wrote:I'd give Woods an even chance against both Jones and Johnson now. I think he can perform much better than he did in the second Johnson fight, and really think he could beat both Jones and Johnson if he got a rematch.
Funnily enough... I think Tarver would pose Woods the biggest danger at LH.

I think Tarver underestimated Johnson (proof in that was the crown he wore into the ring!!!) and I think he will outpoint him in a rematch

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 18 Apr 2005, 09:32

Jones openly seems to hint he's in retirement these days but I think he would seriously consider facing Clinton. It would be sad to see, IMO, because even if he looked good in the fight, there's every chance he would still take more punches than he used to.

I'd like Clinton to take on Johnson for a third fight, would sell well I'd imagine - particularly if it was for two belts.

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 18 Apr 2005, 10:29

I am very happy that Clinton Woods is finally getting recognition and reward. A decent man, a world class fighter and it is no shame to say that you lost to one of the greatest fighters of the age and the man who finally retired him

Until Calzaghe gets in the ring with anyone with a pulse, he should be ashamed to even breathe the same air as CW let alone call for a fight with him

I hope RJJ stays retired. Nothing sadder than seeing a great get pummelled at the end of their career. But CW Vs GJ III would be well worth the money

Slapsie