BoxRec

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 08:53**

Looks like I totally underestimated Tarver and probably overestimated Woods.I really thought Tarver was over the hill but he basically taught Clinton a boxing lesson, it was embarrasingly one sided.

After just a few rounds you could tell that Clinton's confidence had just dropped as he couldn't work out a way through the tricky southpaw stance of Tarver.He just plodded forward time after time to eat up those accurate uppercuts.He just made it far too easy for Tarver though, the only tactic he seemed to have was back Tarver up against the ropes and unload but Tarver's movement was far too elusive to be caught up in any of that.

I don't understand why Clinton neglected his jab so much,rather than just stand around and let Tarver counter you all night long at least try and get through.

I suppose that fight with Calzaghe has gone out the window now.It's a good job and all as it would be like the Lacy fight all over again.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 09:14**

Obama may win all 158 delegates in Pennsylvania on 22nd April, that would be the worst possible scenario for Clinton.

We are talking about the same Clinton right?

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 10:11**

I think Woods needs to call it a day, he looked an old man in there. Totally agree with Glyn Leach he was beaten before the first bell here, that fight was there for the taking if he'd just thrown more leather. Straight rights and right hooks to the body were the key, he landed a few hooks and every time Tarver looked troubled. He'd have had more joy throwing straight rights down there as he came in. Perhaps the lack of workrate was due to him being on the slide a bit? I'm baffled to be honest.

Tarver did a decent job but he didn't have to do much to outwork a guy who was just wading into him in straight lines but not throwing anything.

Was gutted to see Woods beaten like that, he's such a nice guy and has had a good career. I'd hate to see him getting knocked out now his fire appears to be gone.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 10:12**

Autobarn wrote:A few factors that could lead to a miserable night for British fans/writers who admire Woods' downt to earth personality and gritty approach:

1) Fighting away from home. Different crowd, different atmosphere. Will take him at least a round or two to warm to this.

2) Away ref. Woods is good at grinding ppl down. Look at the state of Johnson (3rd bout) and Gonzalez over the final 3 rds of their IBF title fights. But he will be called up by the away ref for his work up close, which includes an educated use of the shoulder, wearing ppl out in clinches and hitting just as the fighters come out of the breaks with a right hand. Has to do this to grind down Tarver, but may not be allowed to.

3) Gary Shaw. Has had numerous of his Yanks lose to Brits in Britain. Hoye, vs Woods. Harris, vs Witter. (don't fvck with Yorkshire, Gary). Most humiliatingly, Lacy, v Calzaghe. Look when a Brit fought on a Shaw show in FL - Robin Reid fell apart vs Lacy. Little things were done before the fight to annoy Reid, who lost his cool and got dropped many times. Stakes are up and Gary - like any promoter - will make sure he has every advantage to subtly change the fight.

4) Tarver's southpaw stance. Woods is a composed guy who starts slow as he implements 12 round plans. The different crowd/atmosphere/climate will probably take him a couple of rds to get used to. Tarver's long arms and lefty stance will poss take another 2-3 rds to come to grips with. Clint could be behind with everything against him, before he/if he warms to the fight.

5) Home judges - how often do away fighters get the benefit of the doubt in a close one, anywhere?

This is what I feel Clinton is fighting and I just hope he won't be playing catchup. He can do it - much stronger, braver bloke IMO - but it may be by the skin of his teeth.

i feel some meatloaf coming on. :P

"and don't feel sad cos 1 out of 5 ain't bad"

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 10:19**

Clinton Woods showed a lot of heart and toughness but Tarver was a class above in the fight. It is as simple as that, Woods tried to impose his will and his strength on Tarver but Tarver fought a very good fight - I was very impressed with how Tarver fought.

We all know how Woods fights and I don't think he could have done anything else to be honest - In hindsight he didn't have what it took in his armoury (and certainly not the one punch KO power) to dismantle Tarver and stop his crafty, counter punching game.

Woods gave it his all and he didn't have the anwsers, simple as that!

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 10:52**

hitman_hatton1 wrote:
Autobarn wrote:A few factors that could lead to a miserable night for British fans/writers who admire Woods' downt to earth personality and gritty approach:

1) Fighting away from home. Different crowd, different atmosphere. Will take him at least a round or two to warm to this.

2) Away ref. Woods is good at grinding ppl down. Look at the state of Johnson (3rd bout) and Gonzalez over the final 3 rds of their IBF title fights. But he will be called up by the away ref for his work up close, which includes an educated use of the shoulder, wearing ppl out in clinches and hitting just as the fighters come out of the breaks with a right hand. Has to do this to grind down Tarver, but may not be allowed to.

3) Gary Shaw. Has had numerous of his Yanks lose to Brits in Britain. Hoye, vs Woods. Harris, vs Witter. (don't fvck with Yorkshire, Gary). Most humiliatingly, Lacy, v Calzaghe. Look when a Brit fought on a Shaw show in FL - Robin Reid fell apart vs Lacy. Little things were done before the fight to annoy Reid, who lost his cool and got dropped many times. Stakes are up and Gary - like any promoter - will make sure he has every advantage to subtly change the fight.

4) Tarver's southpaw stance. Woods is a composed guy who starts slow as he implements 12 round plans. The different crowd/atmosphere/climate will probably take him a couple of rds to get used to. Tarver's long arms and lefty stance will poss take another 2-3 rds to come to grips with. Clint could be behind with everything against him, before he/if he warms to the fight.

5) Home judges - how often do away fighters get the benefit of the doubt in a close one, anywhere?

This is what I feel Clinton is fighting and I just hope he won't be playing catchup. He can do it - much stronger, braver bloke IMO - but it may be by the skin of his teeth.
i feel some meatloaf coming on. :P

"and don't feel sad cos 1 out of 5 ain't bad"

1 and 4 were definitely factors.

Interestingly, home promoter Shaw had Woods enter first, as if he wasn't a champion, and Woods seemed to fight that way, as if he felt he was just a guy that fought for a belt that became vacant when Tarver and Johnson fought each other. Anyway, I did see him falling behind, but I thought he'd do some catching up, which he never did.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 11:00**

He should retire now, no more to achieve really.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 11:09**

He said he'd never go back to domestic level.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 11:27**

Clinton lost the fight before he entered the ring. He looked like the acheivement was being in the same ring as Tarver, not trying to beat him.

There's no point Clinton stepping down to domestic level again, been there done that and he's too old to be going there again.

There'll only be merit in him continuing by fighting Erdei or going for the vacnt WBA crown, otherwise he should retire.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 11:31**

He have to go to germany for Ederi

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 11:34**

leforge wrote:He have to go to germany for Ederi

Well his options are running out at this stage of his career so he may as well give it one last throw of the dice.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 11:37**

Interesting idea there. Ideal one for Erdei. Get the man when he has no other options. I will mentin this on the ERDEI MUST STEP UP thread I started on the current scene.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 11:43**

Carlos-Wigan wrote:Clinton Woods showed a lot of heart and toughness but Tarver was a class above in the fight. It is as simple as that, Woods tried to impose his will and his strength on Tarver but Tarver fought a very good fight - I was very impressed with how Tarver fought.

We all know how Woods fights and I don't think he could have done anything else to be honest - In hindsight he didn't have what it took in his armoury (and certainly not the one punch KO power) to dismantle Tarver and stop his crafty, counter punching game.

Woods gave it his all and he didn't have the anwsers, simple as that!

If giving your all is just standing there and not throwing your any punches. Then yes Clinton gave it his all. Where was Clintons uppercut? Tarver was asking for that punch the way he leans in. Tarver didn't show anything special on the night. Clinton for whatever reason just didn't let his hands go.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 12:16**

Will Erdei ever step up. If Clinton focused he could win, it just looked after the fight he was just happy to be there. He had very good chance to win imo beforehand!

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 12:24**

leforge wrote:Will Erdei ever step up. If Clinton focused he could win, it just looked after the fight he was just happy to be there. He had very good chance to win imo beforehand!

Maybe. But I got the impresion that with Tarver having been the world class ama, the more talented pro, that it all worked against Clinton. I think it would be similar with Erdei, a smaller, but better schooled fighter than Tarver. Erdei won a world amateur in about '97 and two european ama titles. It could be another "level above" fight again especially with Woods' main asset - strength, determination - looking suspect.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 12:27**

I wonder if Clinton mind was on a possible Joe fight, and under estimated what Tarver had left.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 12:58**

Hello mate - thought his attitude was parochial, in all honesty, embarrassingly 'I am not worthy.' Dreadful way to lose a title.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 13:01**

I think the interview after he look back with regret about what he said.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 13:02**

Apparently after 10 rounds Pat Sheehan of The Sun had Woods one round ahead - I kid you not

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 13:04**

Autobarn wrote:
Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:What a load of tosh on this thread, Clinton came to win, gave it his all and came up against a faster, rangier, better schooled boxer. He didn't have the tools to get to Tarver, he needed head movement, a trebble jabb, speed at closing the gap, timing, a fast strainht right. He just didn't have the tools to get the job done, if you haven't learnt any of those tricks in 20 years you won't learn them in a 12 week training camp

Excellent performance by Tarver too, whos beat Roy Jones, Glen Johnson, Clinton Woods, Harding and Griffin. Off lasts nights performance I see Tarvers style giving Calazage a few problems.
Er, not so sure about that. You're not trying to overinflate Tarver's performance so you can make a case for him going into the Hall of Fame, are you?

This was negative stuff from Woods.

Woods is a counter puncher by nature who was never going to get many chances against a rangy 1-2 fast type of rangy southpaw. He pressured Tarver at times BUT he didnt have the skills to win

Lets not forget you and many on here picked Woods to take Tarver, now you say he didn't come to win? He just never had the tools to compete and found it out himself. He still hurt Tarver occasionally but wasn't good enough to do it more often

I don't think Tarver is 1 of the best ever and clearly has weaknesses, he is however a top level competitor near P4P level and is the man that finally took RJJ down

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 13:08**

Ant Evans wrote: Woods has beaten better fighters than Tarver.

No he certainly hasn't

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 13:09**

glyn leach nails it. perfect summing up of this one. how can you go as champion into a fight with such a poor attitude. in my view he would have beaten roy jones if he'd believed in himself. and because of that i must question the HEART that some posters have written about. if you got heart you give it all. clinton didnt against jones and repeated the trick against tarver, this time as champ!!

he's a likeable bloke, though, and i'm glad a match with calzaghe was avoided. a good career out of limited talent cant be bad. good luck clinton.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 13:10**

How did he have Woods ahead? It was a bad night for Woods, he should have gone for it.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 13:13**

Calzaghe would rape Tarver, Woods barely tried and made Tarver look better than he Is.

Posted: **13 Apr 2008, 13:15**

Floyd wrote:
Carlos-Wigan wrote:Clinton Woods showed a lot of heart and toughness but Tarver was a class above in the fight. It is as simple as that, Woods tried to impose his will and his strength on Tarver but Tarver fought a very good fight - I was very impressed with how Tarver fought.

We all know how Woods fights and I don't think he could have done anything else to be honest - In hindsight he didn't have what it took in his armoury (and certainly not the one punch KO power) to dismantle Tarver and stop his crafty, counter punching game.

Woods gave it his all and he didn't have the anwsers, simple as that!
If giving your all is just standing there and not throwing your any punches. Then yes Clinton gave it his all. Where was Clintons uppercut? Tarver was asking for that punch the way he leans in. Tarver didn't show anything special on the night. Clinton for whatever reason just didn't let his hands go.

Yes, but when you are getting hit and hurt early on then it becomes a battle for survival and thats what the fight turned into for Woods, he could cope with the slick speed of Tarver - it is as simple as that.

Woods came forward all night, tried to pressure Tarver but couldn't and took a bit of a hiding, it is really simple what happened that night!

It is funny that Hatton and now Woods have lost they get slagged off to bits on here! I thought Woods was going to win but in the end he wasn't good enough and thats all there is to it.

BoxRec

Things that can go wrong for Clinton

Re: Things that can go wrong for Clinton

Re: Things that can go wrong for Clinton