Does anyone know what is happening regarding Woods fight with Johnson. Earlier, I said that I wouldn't be to pleased if it was for the title. Now, as fight night draws closer, I'm hoping that it would be (I want Woods to win a major title - he should win this fight).
However, what is the IBF's problem. Just say yes or no.
Brewery piss up organise can't a they. Rearrange the sentence.
Is it for the Vacant title??
Yeah I read that, it looks like thats what the IBF want - but they haven't been at all certain that thats their final decision. A new article today on that site today and Hobson is still in talks with the IBF about making it for the vacant title.bennie wrote:It looks like it remains an eliminator. SecondsOut did a story on it the other day. The IBF apparently want a couple of elimination pairings, then a box-off for the vacant title.
To quote Anthony Evans
Since Antonio Tarver vacated the IBF title late on Friday night, speculation has been growing that Woods vs Johnson should be elevated from a final eliminator to full world title status. But the New Jersey based IBF sanctioning body has still made a decision.
“ We are all pulling for this fight to be for the vacant title,” said Wood’s promoter Dennis Hobson. “I have not slept for days trying to make this fight for the full title. If we can’t get the fight for the full title I will feel that I have let down both Woods and Johnson.”
If he can't get passed Saturday then he doesn't deserve the IBF title. Johnson is solid, but hardly a world beater. I don't know what kind of shape Griffin is in now (it did look over for him), but I'd much rather face Johnson than Briggs.Kilburn wrote:Looking at the IBF ratings I'd guess the other eliminator would be between Paul Briggs and Montell Griffin.
Either way our Clint has got some tough matches coming up, starting this friday.
I thought Briggs was looking at the WBC title.
I feel you're underestimating Johnson a bit, Stu. He was robbed against Silvio Branco, the current WBA light-heavyweight champion, and also against Julio Gonzalez, the current WBO champion. Take into consideration his fine win over Eric Harding to earn this eliminator, and you have yourself a very dangerous light-heavy.
What's more, despite the countless big names he has fought in his career, Bernard Hopkins remains the only man to have ever stopped him (and it took him 11 rounds).
What's more, despite the countless big names he has fought in his career, Bernard Hopkins remains the only man to have ever stopped him (and it took him 11 rounds).
Well one thing's for sure this fight is going the full 12 rounds. It's about as even a fight as you could get IMO. I just hope Clinton can move around and win rounds convincingly without becoming too fatigued. I am a little concerned that Johnson will start to look the stronger in the second half of the fight, hopefully he'll be too far behind to catch up.bennie wrote:How do you see his fight with Johnson going, Kilburn?
I don't expect a classic, many rounds could look the same but I get the feeling Woods might have to dig deep over the last 3 rounds of this.
I just find it hard to rate a guy who has nine loses to his name that highly. Okay, some of the defeats may have been controversial but still, its not the greatest devision in the world.
He lost fairly to Derrick Harmon, who recently got Ko'd by a very much faded Dariuz Michaelswecki.
Woods, for me would probably beat DM now.
He was used a comeback opponent for Julio Gonzales, note the word opponent. Whilst apparently this performance was impressive, how good is Gonzales - did the version of Michaelswecki he faced flattered his ability. I think yes. Justin Letterlough, who gave Gonzales all kinds of problems was systematically outboxed by Vassily Jirov. Jirov later getting outboxed by James Toney.
Same applies with Silvio Branco, in my opinion, while he was good enough to fluster Robin Reid about 3 years ago - he's an aging fighter who's now competing in a devision well above his natural 11 stone 6 frame. Its more a reflection on the state of the devision as opposed to Branco's current ability that he can be regarded as a world champion.
I'm not saying Woods is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I believe he can certainly compete with the very best in the devision. He really has no one to fear (once Jones goes back up). Johnson is a solid fighter no doubt, but loses more than he wins at elite level (okay some of the decisions may be iffy), but this elite level really isn't very good.
I think Boxrec's ranking of Woods at 4 is somewhat near correct, while I admit Johnson's ranking of 16 is somewhat conservative, its hard to place him in the top 10. I'm not saying this is going to be an easy night, far from it - but really Woods should win if we were all correct in assuming his wins of Klemesten and Ashley were good enough place him alongside the likes of Tarver - cause Johnson is a small level below him.
I just think, very much like the recent visits of Karmazin and Chi, the decent overseas opponent has been slightly over-rated.
He lost fairly to Derrick Harmon, who recently got Ko'd by a very much faded Dariuz Michaelswecki.
Woods, for me would probably beat DM now.
He was used a comeback opponent for Julio Gonzales, note the word opponent. Whilst apparently this performance was impressive, how good is Gonzales - did the version of Michaelswecki he faced flattered his ability. I think yes. Justin Letterlough, who gave Gonzales all kinds of problems was systematically outboxed by Vassily Jirov. Jirov later getting outboxed by James Toney.
Same applies with Silvio Branco, in my opinion, while he was good enough to fluster Robin Reid about 3 years ago - he's an aging fighter who's now competing in a devision well above his natural 11 stone 6 frame. Its more a reflection on the state of the devision as opposed to Branco's current ability that he can be regarded as a world champion.
I'm not saying Woods is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I believe he can certainly compete with the very best in the devision. He really has no one to fear (once Jones goes back up). Johnson is a solid fighter no doubt, but loses more than he wins at elite level (okay some of the decisions may be iffy), but this elite level really isn't very good.
I think Boxrec's ranking of Woods at 4 is somewhat near correct, while I admit Johnson's ranking of 16 is somewhat conservative, its hard to place him in the top 10. I'm not saying this is going to be an easy night, far from it - but really Woods should win if we were all correct in assuming his wins of Klemesten and Ashley were good enough place him alongside the likes of Tarver - cause Johnson is a small level below him.
I just think, very much like the recent visits of Karmazin and Chi, the decent overseas opponent has been slightly over-rated.
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knockout artist
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I see Johnson as a very live underdog.
Apart from RJJ, Johnson has by far the better quality of opposition and in all of his big fights Johnson was the other guy, the guy not supposed to win.
Johnson has had plenty of notice and plenty of experience of being in the other guys back yard. He will be ready and in shape.
I would love to see Clinton win, because he is a genuinely good guy, but I think Johnson will have just a little too much for him.
Hopefully, I am wrong.
I'm going up to Sheffield for the fight. Anyone else going?
Apart from RJJ, Johnson has by far the better quality of opposition and in all of his big fights Johnson was the other guy, the guy not supposed to win.
Johnson has had plenty of notice and plenty of experience of being in the other guys back yard. He will be ready and in shape.
I would love to see Clinton win, because he is a genuinely good guy, but I think Johnson will have just a little too much for him.
Hopefully, I am wrong.
I'm going up to Sheffield for the fight. Anyone else going?
Knockout - very tempted to go as well, drop me an e-mail.
Everyone in British boxing likes Woods and would love him to get a real belt (he could have had 15 defences of the WBU by now).
I think he outworks Johnson. Be nice to see him get a payday against Calzaghe (I think the two of them are friends/good acquaintences anyone know?)
Everyone in British boxing likes Woods and would love him to get a real belt (he could have had 15 defences of the WBU by now).
I think he outworks Johnson. Be nice to see him get a payday against Calzaghe (I think the two of them are friends/good acquaintences anyone know?)