rhino222 wrote:i just think clinton is a bit limited and he is lucky its a weak division. im not taking anything away from clinton, sound bloke and has done things the proper way. but in the P4P stakes i dont think he would get in the worlds top 40.however...
i like watching him, he brings heart and soul and northern grit to the table, sound family man etc who has made the most of the attributes he has got. and IBF champion of the world is no mean feat at all.
that doesn't bother me too much. he can be in good fights - the last 2 certainly made for compelling viewing - and I strongly believe he can give Calzaghe, a top 10-12 p4p without doubt, one hell of a fight. I'm pleased that the UK has good honest fighters holding titles.
I'v really enjoyed watching Clinton. His skills and punch delivery have definitely improved to world level. Those left hooks in the tenth and eleventh were great shots.
Wales wrote:Interesting, and annoying, that the big money fights are with old has-beens rather than top contenders in the LHW division.
I don't think the Tarver or Jones fight happens - which is a good thing. Jones has been given a money fight with Trinidad and they're letting Tarver fight Danny Green probably on Showtime. May as well fight "Glenn Coffee" again, which is another great fight.
Will be interesting if Kessler beats Calzaghe -maybe Kessler would want another UK payday. I believe that if Calzaghe wins or loses in Nov, he's an option because of Clinton holding a light heavy belt. I mean, this is the easiest 175 fight to make - same country, same TV - and after a hard fight w/ the Dane the last thing Joe will want is to make 168 again.
nickd wrote:A fourth Johnson fight should be avoided, nobody wants to see that.
I do.
Yeah i wouldn't mind seeing them fight again.
Also i think that Tarver might get beat by Green in there upcoming fight, Green is a busy pressure fighter with a punch, think Tarver might be a bit overconfident.
i hope to god he does not fight johnson again...jesus, whatever next, woods v delisle 3, or woods gonzales 3. its all getting a bit boring, at least when he fought hoye it was new blood that potentially could have given woods a beating. we need a new name for clinton, and if the name is not there then clinton has to go up or down a weight to retain credability, and he is definately not the right build for cruiser and has outgrown super middle....so, we need someone to step up from SM to fight at LH.
someone somewhere said that dean francis was in trouble for some hassle, has this been cleared up, is he ok to fight again. but before he can fight woods, he needs to topple a decent stateside name...
rhino222 wrote:someone somewhere said that dean francis was in trouble for some hassle, has this been cleared up, is he ok to fight again. but before he can fight woods, he needs to topple a decent stateside name...
Francis or Woods needs to fight a big US name? I disagree - it will be strictly a British affair. No US TV involved, so shouldn't be a problem as long as Francis is in the IBF top 15.
I disagree with your views regarding a Johnston 4 match also. I know what you mean, but unlike Delisle or Gonzalez there is UNFINISHED business there - plus its been 3 fantastic fights so far... their styles gel. Also, still a MAJOR case to make Johnson a top 5 fighter (maybe even 4).
Glencoffe Johnson v Clinton Woods no matter how many times they fight would be a good fight.
I am also open enough to say I would not really want to see another fight with them 2 just yet. I personally would love to see Clinton v Chad Dawson - if that had to be in America so beit.
rhino222 wrote:someone somewhere said that dean francis was in trouble for some hassle, has this been cleared up, is he ok to fight again. but before he can fight woods, he needs to topple a decent stateside name...
Francis or Woods needs to fight a big US name? I disagree - it will be strictly a British affair. No US TV involved, so shouldn't be a problem as long as Francis is in the IBF top 15.
I disagree with your views regarding a Johnston 4 match also. I know what you mean, but unlike Delisle or Gonzalez there is UNFINISHED business there - plus its been 3 fantastic fights so far... their styles gel. Also, still a MAJOR case to make Johnson a top 5 fighter (maybe even 4).
hi stu
i mean francis needs to meet a decent stateside name, to earn some trans water credability, i know its a uk only scrap but i cant see clinton wanting it.
Before anyone can shout about Dean Francis there has to be a significant step up in class of opponents - if he wins a couple of higher class fights then lets see what happens then.
Clinton is moving onto better things - as long as the IBF allows it!!!!
Albert wrote:Before anyone can shout about Dean Francis there has to be a significant step up in class of opponents - if he wins a couple of higher class fights then lets see what happens then.
Clinton is moving onto better things - as long as the IBF allows it!!!!
i agree with you spud, but im pretty sure that francis would be a tough tough opponent for woods, but like i said earlier, let francis get a name on his record first to at least even half deserve his shot.
Dean Francis has some way to go to force his way into the rankings of the various governing bodies. We may think he has got what it takes but we all know how the various bodies think.
I am quite looking forward to what Clinton does in his next couple of fights - I feel there may be a tadge frustration in it all because Glen Johnson's name is bound to be in there, for whatever reason the IBF seem to like him. A lot of people may say Clinton should vacate, personally I think he would be barking mad to do so having worked so hard to get a world title in the first place. Dennis Hobson's hard work is going to be lobbying the IBF to ensure Clinton is allowed a couple of Voluntaries before another mandatory takes place - the only problem with that is I believe a certain amount of time was allowed for Clinton's injuries before he fought Gonzalez again.
The IBF likes Johnson because a) he's an ex-champ of theirs, b) he's 1-1-1 with Woods, with the loss being extremely close and dispited by some, and c) he keeps winning eliminators.
I don't know why there's opposition to another Woods-Johnson. All three fights have been good, they're split right down the middle in results, Woods is looking as good as ever and Johnson has done the old-fashioned thing and EARNED another shot.
Albert wrote:Dean Francis has some way to go to force his way into the rankings of the various governing bodies. We may think he has got what it takes but we all know how the various bodies think.
I am quite looking forward to what Clinton does in his next couple of fights - I feel there may be a tadge frustration in it all because Glen Johnson's name is bound to be in there, for whatever reason the IBF seem to like him. A lot of people may say Clinton should vacate, personally I think he would be barking mad to do so having worked so hard to get a world title in the first place. Dennis Hobson's hard work is going to be lobbying the IBF to ensure Clinton is allowed a couple of Voluntaries before another mandatory takes place - the only problem with that is I believe a certain amount of time was allowed for Clinton's injuries before he fought Gonzalez again.
Francis has the Commonwealth title so he's a-ok as a voluntary. It's a great Sky Sports/Setanta domestic. Once upon a time it was going to be Francis-Calzaghe as the big Uk rivalry; would love to see him get a crack at Woods.
Oh I agree with Rhino and Spud are saying, but essentially all Francis will ever be is Voluntary defence if Woods is struggling to get a name that will get the US TV interested - but needs to keep busy. So like a mark time World title fight. I think as a domestic level champion it is acceptable in that scenerio as it stands. I think essentially, it would be a bit pointless if Francis developed some sort of "world level" win - but the fight was still essentially for the UK audience.
Although, I do think Francis should have some exposure - a win over Magee/Oakey would suffice.
All Woods vs Francis is ever likely to be (unless Dean gets an unlikely BIG US fight) would be the equivalent of say Hatton/Witter defending against Colin Lynes.
