Official Clinton Woods V Glencoffe Johnson Preview
On September 5th 2003 at the Ponds Forge Leisure Centre, Sheffield former world title challenger Clinton Woods takes on Jamaican born wildcard Glencoffe Johnson in an eliminator for the IBF Light Heavyweight title, the winner of this bout takes on the winner of Roy Jones Jnr V Antonio Tarver. Should - as many expect -Jones win that prospective match then he is most likely to move back up to Heavyweight and deny the winner such a lucrative bout, there seems little point as Jones Jnr-Woods would be a rematch in any case and likely to end up more or less the same as the first fight (Jones Jnr Tko6 Woods). Woods was mooted to fight tough Australian Paul Briggs originally but the fight fell through and Briggs is now due to face veteran Montell Griffin. Last time out Woods 35-2 (21) systematically broke down Demetrius Jenkins en-route to a seventh round stoppage, however he shipped way too many right hands and trainer Tim Witherspoon will look to use the recent time spent with Woods back in his native America to work on defence. Prior to the Jenkins win Woods had two reletively simple comeback fights after the unsuccesful challenge to Jones Jnr's titles back in 2001, he blew out Sergio Baez and Arturo Rivera in 3 and 2 rounds respectively. His other loss came at the hands of David Starie in a Commonwealth Super Middleweight attempt, he lost over the distance.
His opponent is an interesting one to say the least, born in Jamaica but now fighting out of Miami, Florida Glen Johnson is a fighter accustomed to campaigning against the odds and away from home. The 34 year old two time world title challenger holds a deceptive 39-9-1 (27) record but has been on the end of some contentious decisions throughout his career, Johnson turned pro almost accidently in 1993 and amassed an impressive 32-0 record which led him to a 1997challenge for Bernard Hopkins IBF Middleweight crown. Johnson lost in the 11th round on that occasion but gained credibility and later that year dropped a disputed 10 round decision to Merqui Sosa. More controversy came his way as he suffered a string of defeats on the bounce, he was unlucky to drop a 12 rounder in 1999 in Germany against the infamous Sven Ottke and then in 2000 lost over 10 to Syd Vanderpool, again Johnson felt aggrieved by the decision. He soldiered on and continued fighting away from home, he travelled to Italy and was beaten by a scandalous 12 round score against Silvio Branco and also lost to Omar Sheika that year, 2000 was not a happy time for Johnson but he ended it on a high note with a sixth round win over Toks Owoh in England's own Bethnal Green venue. 2001 saw him travel to Germany and take Thomas Ulrich's unbeaten record with a sixth round TKO, into 2002 Derrick Harmon bettered him over 10 and into 2003 the dodgy judges were back out again as Johnson lost a disputed 12 rounder to Julio Cesar Gonzalez. A controversial draw with Daniel Judah was followed up earlier this year with perhaps a career best win over Eric Harding for the vacant USBA Light Heavyweight title, 116-112 were the unanimous scores. So controversy has littered this tough guys career but he continues to battle on, is he ring weary or battle hardened? Has he got enough to trouble Woods who is reaching peak career form, i don't think he has quite enough and i feel Woods UD12 Johnson will be the outcome.
Mark Hobson V Rob Norton
On the undercard beanpole Cruiserweight Mark Hobson from Hudersfield takes on southpaw Rob Norton who lives not far from me in Stourbridge (my dad once fixed his car!) for Hobson's Commonwealth title and the vacant British title. 27 year old Hobson who holds a 20-3-1 (10) record won his Commonwealth belt in a farcical bout in Wales where he dispatched Ugandan midget Abdul Kaddou in 4, the British Cruiserweight scene is certainly more interesting lately since Welshman Enzo Macarinelli came off the floor to beat durable Bruce Scott earlier in the year. Hobson beat Lee Swaby over 10 in the initial eliminator before the Kaddou farce and his three losses come in the shape of a cuts defeat to Firat Arlsan, a stoppage at the hands of talented South African Sebastian Rothmann and an early reverse to Bradford's Mark Levy. His opponent Norton holds a 23-2-1 (13) record and the 31 year old southpaw is hungry for the opportunity, South African Rothmann is a common foe as he stopped Norton is 1999 in 8 but since then Norton has chalked up wins over Darren Griffiths, Paul Bonson and Lee Swaby. His other defeat came against Northeen Ireland's Darren Corbett on points back in 1997, Norton also holds two wins over my personal hero Nigel Rafferty! Inctivity is a key factor here for me as Norton has not fought since November 2002, had he been more active i would have fancied him here for the upset but i think it will catch up on him and he will tire and lose a brave effort, Hobson MD12 Norton.
On the undercard former Audley Harrison victim Mark Krence the Midland Area Champion from Chesterfield 17-1 faces an as yet unnamed opponent....Leeds Denzil Browne moves from Cruiserweight to Heavyweigt for his bout....Manchester veteran Carl Thompson 29-6 returns on the bill for his second comeback fight....P.J. Maxwell comes off the back of a superb early stoppage of Coventry's Andy Holder and.....Lee Swaby 17-13-2 from Lincoln fights on the bill. All opponents are unknown at the time of writing, BBC is screening the bill on Friday at around 11.15 pm. Enjoy!
Clinton Woods V Glencoffe Johnson Preview
Howdy folks, i usually post these things on the current scene but mainly get a poor response (only Dutch Windmill shows any interest) but seen as a British Scene has been created i thought i might reach a more receptive audience. I know the fight has been cancelled due to Woods broken hand but anyone care to tender a prediction anyway or maybe a word on the new main event Hobson V Norton? Or where do you think Woods career is heading from here?
BTW, can i just say that i added my preview before i read Bennie's excellent topic a few threads down. Sorry! Wasn't trying to steal your thunder or anything mate
BTW, can i just say that i added my preview before i read Bennie's excellent topic a few threads down. Sorry! Wasn't trying to steal your thunder or anything mate
Post away, Steve. I enjoyed your previews and it's such a shame the Woods-Johnson fight is off.steve689 wrote:BTW, can i just say that i added my preview before i read Bennie's excellent topic a few threads down. Sorry! Wasn't trying to steal your thunder or anything mate
And I see we reached the same conclusion about the Rob Norton-Mark Hobson title fight.