Woods-Johnson: a preview

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 05 Nov 2003, 17:19

Sheffield's Clinton Woods and Glencoffe Johnson square off for the vacant IBF light-heavyweight title in Sheffield this Friday. The two were originally scheduled to meet in an IBF eliminator for the right to meet champion Antonio Tarver, but Tarver vacated a few days ago prior to his showdown with Roy Jones this Saturday, and Woods-Johnson was upgraded to full title status. To add to the saga, Woods and Johnson were originally scheduled to meet in September but Woods injured a hand in sparring and the fight was put back. The injury has clearly done them both a favour.
The 31-year-old Woods has racked up three straight wins since losing bravely to the mighty Roy Jones in the sixth round in Portland last September. He has been training back in the States ahead of this one under Tim Witherspoon. He said in the build-up: "This is the hardest I've ever prepared and it had to be. I'm ready and looking forward to a hard, hard fight. This is the toughest fight of my career - Roy Jones aside - a much tougher than when I fought Yawe Davis in the WBC final eliminator (in September 2001). Johnson is a very good fighter and I know I'll have to be at my very best."
Johnson earned his chance by clearly outscoring Eric Harding for the vacant USBA light-heavyweight title in his last fight - the only man to have beaten Tarver (breaking his jaw in the process). A Miami-based Jamaican, Johnson has already challenged for IBF titles at two weights - going 11 tough rounds with Bernard Hopkins before being stopped for the IBF middleweight crown in 1997, and pushing Sven Ottke closer for the super-middleweight crown in November 1999. Ottke really struggled with the hard-hitting but clever style of the challenger, and needed a big finish to edge home by scores of 115-113 (twice) and 116-112 in Dusseldorf.
It's fair to say - even in his own Sheffield - Woods won't have it easy with this guy.
British fans have already had a sample of Glencoffe's ability when in September 2000 at York Hall he outclassed Toks Owoh and halted him in six one-sided rounds. He also crushed Thomas Ulrich in six a year later in Berlin - but his willingness to take fights 'on the road' has led inevitably to several decisions going against him. He got a draw against the unbeaten Daniel Judah in their 10-rounder in April, when most observers had him winning clearly and even the brash Judah (Zab's brother) looked embarrassed and lifted Johnson into the air in a show of sportsmanship. He looked similarly short-changed against current WBO light-heavyweight champion Julio Gonzalez, as well as current WBA light-heavy champion Silvio Branco (in Italy) - both of whom squeezed home on decisions that were roundly booed. "They have been ripping me off so much lately that when I was waiting for the decision, it was a very scary feeling," he said of his unanimous points win over Harding.
In a record of 39-9-1 (27), Hopkins remains the only man to have stopped him.
Johnson is a throwback fighter, who has mastered his trade, keeps himself in good shape, and is able to compete with anyone. He once put together a winning streak of 32 and seems to be fighting as well as ever at 34 years of age. He trounced the fancied and much-avoided Harding by three scores of 116-112, applying educated pressure throughout. And his crushing six-round knockout of Thomas Ulrich two years ago looks better and better, given Ulrich recently ended the careers of Yawe Davis and Graciano Rocchigiani. It was Johnson's first fight at light-heavyweight and he never got a sniff at Ulrich's stablemate Dariusz Michalczewski afterwards. "The Tiger" seemed to have fought everyone else in defence of his old WBO light-heavyweight title. But Johnson, who has boxed only six times in the last three years, is probably too good for his own good.
Dangerous with both hands, the Jamaican has stopped or knocked out 27 of his 39 beaten opponents, which proves he is more than just a craftsman. Toks Owoh was cut down by precise left hooks in their one-sided encounter - and it was a left hook from Ole Klemetsen that put Woods on the deck in 2000, and left hooks to the body took all the fight out of him against Roy Jones Junior.
But Woods really fancies his chances of winning a proper world title and took that same confidence into his fight with Roy Jones Junior in September last year. Clinton, having his first fight in the States but quite at home at gritty Portland in Oregon, didn't back off from the American superstar. He landed a solid right in the second, forced the fleet-footed Jones to stand and trade in the third and fourth, but the champion's heavy pot-shotting - particularly to the body - began to take its toll by the sixth and, on the prompting of Clinton's corner, referee Jay Nady stepped in midway through the round. Woods had stayed on his feet throughout! "He's got a huge heart," said Jones afterwards.
Clinton has boxed the three times since, a couple of routine confidence restorers that finished early, but a tough seventh round stoppage of Detroit's Demetrius Jenkins in June will have sharpened him up nicely for this one. Woods controlled that one with clubbing right hands around the peek-a-boo guard of the Detroit fighter. But, Jenkins, who knocked out former WBA super-middleweight champion Frankie Liles a year ago, produced a number of straight rights to keep Woods on his guard.
"It were a tough fight," admitted the winner afterwards.
Johnson can also bang of course, but Woods is crafty, hard-punching, busy and brave, and has a solid chin on top (Ole Klemetsen remains the only man to haver floored him as a pro). At 31, he will never have a better chance of winning a genuine world title against the classy but aging Johnson. He is a much better fighter for his Roy Jones Junior experience and while Johnson is talented, they don't come any more talented than Jones do they! Clinton has learned from Roy. He throws more punches, sits down on his shots more. Looks quicker. His whole boxing approach should be commended and recommended. "I've come through the hard way," he admits. "But you have to have it hard coming up or you are just not ready for opponents at real top level."
Clinton Woods wants a 'pukka' world title. One man stands in his way. Woods will get past him on points.

Jacko11 · Post by **Jacko11** » 05 Nov 2003, 17:22

If i am thinking right it is on bbc one is it?

Eric the Viking · Post by **Eric the Viking** » 05 Nov 2003, 20:19

Thanks for the excellent preview, Bennie - this was looking like a good fight even before it was changed to a title bout. Johnson really impressed me with his recent showing against Harding (especially his consistent body work), and it's great that Woods seems to have gotten better as a result of his first harsh taste of life in the top echelons vs. Jones Jr. Here's looking forward to a cracking good contest, as you Brits like to say. ;)

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 06 Nov 2003, 06:21

Good preview bennie, and I'd say it's fair to slightly favour Woods on home ground - I imagine the bookies have this at evens?

I'll go for Johnson on points I think, he's a road warrior and might have just too much for Clinton - not really confident either way though, I'm looking forward to watching this - hope the BBC are showing it live.

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 06 Nov 2003, 06:38

Pretty sure BBC will delay tape it.
They wouldn't know a crackin fight if it bit them on the @rse.

This will really test Clinton but I see 'politics' leading to Woods gaining a close decision. Johnson never gets the close ones..

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 06 Nov 2003, 07:05

Good Preview, looking back maybe I did underestimate Johnson. I still think Woods, but am becoming less and less confident. Johnson's strength and power is something I fear - Woods, while undoubtedly tough as they come has been hurt by huge punching Klebersten and stopped by Jones. Johnson 27 KO's at the level he's been fighting at is impressive.

Also, he is quite possibly the hardest looking fighter still active (judge for yourselves at secondsout).

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 06 Nov 2003, 08:22

One positive for Woods is that the Jamican has only stopped 5 opponents in his last 17 fights, and much of that time was spent at super-middle.

Clinton should really be the boss here if he's going to be recognised as anything like a legit world champ.

Come on lad lets go out there and do a job.