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Woods attacks Calzaghe.

Posted: 14 Aug 2005, 11:56
by stujones
This is from fightnews, he has a point but shouldn't he just focus on his own career. These attacks on Joe, justifiable as they may be, just for me indicate that in his hearts of hearts Woods wants the match as he sees it has his most lucrative fight. Is it really any of Woods' business to down talk Calzaghe their not fighting at the same weight currently.

For me it gives an indication that lucrative matches vs the top 3 in the devision currently (Tarver, Johnson and Jones) are not likely to happen, so he seems to be goading Calzaghe because that is the money fight available. Seems like the closest these pair will get to the a contest is in a beauty contest if you read the article.

Anyway, here is the fightnews article.

Woods blasts Calzaghe!

August 14, 2005



Clinton Woods has launched a scathing attack on Joe Calzaghe ahead of the first defense of his IBF light-heavyweight title against Julio Gonzales in Sheffield on Friday September 9th.

WBO super-middleweight champion Calzaghe is due to defend his crown against an as-yet unnamed opponent in Cardiff on the following night and has previously accused Woods of running scared of him.

"There's less than four weeks to go before Calzaghe's next fight but yet his opponent has still to be announced. It's a joke. What kind of world championship defense is that?" asked Woods.

For Woods, the contrast could not be greater.

"I'm making the first defense of my world title against a former world champion and I've had ten weeks notice. Gonzales was once WBO champion and is a very tough challenger."

Woods and Calzaghe almost collided last year as the undefeated Welshman contemplated stepping up to the light-heavyweight division. But when the IBF expressed a reluctance to sanction an eliminator between the pair, Calzaghe turned his back on the proposed meeting leaving Woods fuming.

"I'd signed my agreement to box Calzaghe and had already commenced my training. As far as I was concerned the fight was on. It's probably for the best though given that Calzaghe twice pulled out of fighting Glen Johnson and that he has a history of messing people about."

Woods went on to beat Jason DeLisle in an eliminator and finally claimed the vacant IBF title with a fifth round stoppage over Rico Hoye in March prompting an immediate challenge from Calzaghe. Woods, however, was distinctly unimpressed.

"Calzaghe wants everything his own way. In Roy Jones and Glen Johnson I've fought some of the best fighters in the world and earned my shot at the IBF title by boxing a tough eliminator – Calzaghe should be made to do the same," argued Woods.

"I believe I'm a more credible world champion than Calzaghe, I've fought better people, and according to many people I'm better looking than him as well."

Tickets for Woods vs Gonzales are available in person at the Hallam FM Arena, by calling the Hallam FM Arena box office on 0114 256 5656 or online at http://www.hallamfmarena.co.uk – tickets are priced at £30, £50 , £75 and VIP ringside £125. Woods blasts Calzaghe

Clinton Woods has launched a scathing attack on Joe Calzaghe ahead of the first defense of his IBF light-heavyweight title against Julio Gonzales in Sheffield on Friday September 9th.

WBO super-middleweight champion Calzaghe is due to defend his crown against an as-yet unnamed opponent in Cardiff on the following night and has previously accused Woods of running scared of him.

"There's less than four weeks to go before Calzaghe's next fight but yet his opponent has still to be announced. It's a joke. What kind of world championship defense is that?" asked Woods.

For Woods, the contrast could not be greater.

"I'm making the first defense of my world title against a former world champion and I've had ten weeks notice. Gonzales was once WBO champion and is a very tough challenger."

Woods and Calzaghe almost collided last year as the undefeated Welshman contemplated stepping up to the light-heavyweight division. But when the IBF expressed a reluctance to sanction an eliminator between the pair, Calzaghe turned his back on the proposed meeting leaving Woods fuming.

"I'd signed my agreement to box Calzaghe and had already commenced my training. As far as I was concerned the fight was on. It's probably for the best though given that Calzaghe twice pulled out of fighting Glen Johnson and that he has a history of messing people about."

Woods went on to beat Jason DeLisle in an eliminator and finally claimed the vacant IBF title with a fifth round stoppage over Rico Hoye in March prompting an immediate challenge from Calzaghe. Woods, however, was distinctly unimpressed.

"Calzaghe wants everything his own way. In Roy Jones and Glen Johnson I've fought some of the best fighters in the world and earned my shot at the IBF title by boxing a tough eliminator – Calzaghe should be made to do the same," argued Woods.

"I believe I'm a more credible world champion than Calzaghe, I've fought better people, and according to many people I'm better looking than him as well."

Tickets for Woods vs Gonzales are available in person at the Hallam FM Arena, by calling the Hallam FM Arena box office on 0114 256 5656 or online at http://www.hallamfmarena.co.uk – tickets are priced at £30, £50 , £75 and VIP ringside £125.

Posted: 14 Aug 2005, 13:18
by steve689
Woods is right, how can Calzaghe be approaching a contest billed as a world title affair when the opponent is TBA? I don't know who it reflects on worse, Calzaghe himself or the alphabet association he is representing.

Posted: 14 Aug 2005, 13:55
by tonyevs
Its all spot on what Clinton says but he still needs to drop in Calzaghe`s name to get headlines though :oops:

Shame really because he really does hold a more worthwhile belt, shame the belt don`t seem to mean much over 168lb.

Posted: 14 Aug 2005, 14:44
by stujones
tonyevs wrote:Its all spot on what Clinton says but he still needs to drop in Calzaghe`s name to get headlines though :oops:

Shame really because he really does hold a more worthwhile belt, shame the belt don`t seem to mean much over 168lb.
Thats what I was trying to say, obviously he is focusing on Gonzales but he shouldn't use Calzaghe to get headlines. Not really his business.

Incidently, the article is on a few other sites, including BBN. So I shouldn't have given just fightnews all the credit.

Posted: 14 Aug 2005, 17:09
by nickd
Woods is a genuine champion with a real title, Calzaghe has a shite belt so much so he can defend his world title against TBA with the opponent being confirmed just a few weeks before the bout..... say no more.

Good luck to Woods, he's a good guy.

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 06:00
by jamesmcdonnell
I think there's two reasons for this blasting.

1 Woods is fucked off because Calzaghe pulled out of their fight.
2 He is hoping to lure Calzaghe into the ring because he really fancies the job.

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 07:36
by BubiScholz
Woods is a paper champion in the weekest division at the moment. Calzaghe is right, he would demolish Woods.

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 07:48
by EddieShredder
I'm probably in the minority here, but I honestly reckon Woods could give Calzaghe all the grief in the world.

Whats more, I have no problem with Woods using Calzaghes name to get headlines. The unfortunate truth is, that Hatton aside, Calzaghes name is really the only one that gets column inches in this country - as illustrated the other week, when even though Reid was the one fighting for a genuine title..... Calzaghe got the press through his comments about Reid and Lacy. I don't think I saw anything significant on the fight in any of the main papers.

Calzaghe spends his whole time slagging off the likes of Reid/Woods etc, promising big fights which never materialise, and generally talking shit in the papers. I don't see why there should be any problem with Woods using his name to generate a bit of publicity.... and to be honest.... I'm quite happy that someone who is willing to put their money where their mouth is, is giving Joe a bit of his own medicine back.

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 07:53
by Foggy
Its funny really i like to follow Woods but i've never really been impressed by him, the only time i have is when he beat Hoye, i was ringside for that fight & he was spot on, he battered Hoye from Pillar to post, if they did get it on i'd probably favour Calzaghe at the moment but if Woods beats Gonzalez and impresses in doing so i think i might have a change of opinion and change my mind to Woods.

One thing you gotta love about Woods is that he ducks no one and is always willing to face anyone.

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 08:07
by nickd
Whatever peoples opinions of Woods he has my respect. He has done things Calzaghe would not do - travel to the US and fight Jones Jr, and he's fought Johnson twice a man Calzaghe cancelled with twice. So in my book he's got more bottle than old Sicknote who's flying phobia comes out of the woodwork when it suits.

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 08:08
by jamesmcdonnell
BubiScholz wrote:Woods is a paper champion in the weekest division at the moment. Calzaghe is right, he would demolish Woods.
Woods is better than anyone has faced since, well, I don't know, it's arguable he's better than anyone since Eubank.

Let's not forget either that Woods has spent his whole career at LH, whereas Calzaghe hasn't fought even once.

I like Woods to give Calzaghe some big problems. He holds a shot well and has real heart, I think Calzaghe would need to raise his game from the level we have seen recently.

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 08:10
by nickd
jamesmcdonnell wrote:
BubiScholz wrote:Woods is a paper champion in the weekest division at the moment. Calzaghe is right, he would demolish Woods.
Woods is better than anyone has faced since, well, I don't know, it's arguable he's better than anyone since Eubank.

Let's not forget either that Woods has spent his whole career at LH, whereas Calzaghe hasn't fought even once.

I like Woods to give Calzaghe some big problems. He holds a shot well and has real heart, I think Calzaghe would need to raise his game from the level we have seen recently.
Woods has been a light heavy for a while but he did start at supermiddle, I remember he lost to David Starie for the Commonwealth title then moved up to 175 after that. He is definitely established at 175 though so would be interesting to see how Calzaghe deals with a guy who is bigger than him.

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 08:11
by jamesmcdonnell
Whoops, forgot about that... :oops:

He's still however proven at 175 unlike Calzaghe.

I am not saying Calzaghe wouldn't win, he may well do, but I cannot see him beating Woods easily.

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 08:23
by boxingchat
I take it the Tickets are slow in Sheffield then?

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 08:30
by boxingchat
Clinton 'Yawn-Yawn' Woods, what's the point in him exactly, he's only champion because the best 175's were otherwise engaged. Remeberr what Jones doen to him in 1st gear. Jones then got done by both Tarver and Johnson - Nuff said!

What is it in the Sheffield water thta created boring fighters?

Hamed was the exception of course, I concede but he druck bottled water!!!

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 08:46
by EddieShredder
boxingchat wrote:Clinton 'Yawn-Yawn' Woods, what's the point in him exactly, he's only champion because the best 175's were otherwise engaged. Remeberr what Jones doen to him in 1st gear. Jones then got done by both Tarver and Johnson - Nuff said!
Remind me..... who was it Woods ran close twice? Oh yeah, thats right... Johnson, who then went on to knock out Jones and beat Tarver :roll: :box: Todays Clinton woods, is very different to the one who got beat by a prime Roy Jones a few years back.

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 08:53
by jamesmcdonnell
boxingchat wrote:Clinton 'Yawn-Yawn' Woods, what's the point in him exactly, he's only champion because the best 175's were otherwise engaged. Remeberr what Jones doen to him in 1st gear. Jones then got done by both Tarver and Johnson - Nuff said!

What is it in the Sheffield water thta created boring fighters?

Hamed was the exception of course, I concede but he druck bottled water!!!
Difference is mate, Clinton fought Jones, whilst Calzaghe just talked about it. That version of Jones would have made mincemeat of Joe and he knew it, he even admitted it in an interview.

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 10:01
by THEBUTCH
Absolutely spot on JamesMcDonnell ! 8)

Joe (and Sportsnetwork) will be remembered more for fights they didn't take.

Give Woods his credit for being prepared to fight the best, win or lose.

Warren loves it this way. Keep avoiding the top guys for as long as possible so he can argue how good his boxers are without actually proving it. :evil:

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 11:49
by boxingchat
What aload of Bullshit. Clinton Woods had to travel to Oregon and fight Jones cos he was no 1. He had nowhere else to go. Run Johnson close? twce? yes and still never beat him despite the fight being in Sheffield.


Jones turned down Steve Collins, Chris Eubank and Joe Calzaghe cos he wouldn't come to the UK.

What a legend he is, not!

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 11:58
by THEBUTCH
Absolute crap!

Jones would have trounced the lot of them.

Eubank barely boxed a single top rated world beating American. Collins beat faded British middles and Joe might as well be just playing with himself.

Woods has the names on his record. Calzaghe doesn't.

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 12:04
by jamesmcdonnell
Clinton could have turned down the title shot if he wanted to though, as far as I recall, nobody had a gun to his head did they?

Calzaghe turned down a shot at Kessler, who has a genuine belt, becuase 'nobody outside of Denmark has heard of him'

Try telling the WBA that.

Why in fornicate's name should Jones Jr have come to the UK? He was the big name, not Calzaghe, not Eubank and not Collins. Why didn't one of them go fight him in the USA, perhaps Calzaghe was scared of flying?

Fact of the matter is, Woods has faced Jones Jr, Johnson, and if he has his way would face Tarver too. Calzaghe hasn't even come close to facing off against the best available competition, there has always been a reason why fights cannot happen. I've lost count of the fights which never happened, but suffice to say that unless Calzaghe actually fights Lacy, my interest in his career will be absolutely Zero.

Never has a british fighter had so much potential and failed to capitalise on it at the highest level.

Sure, I'm just an armchair warrior, and I'm not the one taking punches, but I am the one who pays Sky subscriptions and Joe's fans have handed out countless thousands over the years to attend his shows.

The list of excuses is becoming exceedingly boring, and I won't be surprised to hear that Joe doesn't think he's being rewarded enough/doesn't like the terms/get's injured/cannot fight because the venue is booked (delete as appropriate).

Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 12:05
by steve689
Woods may have come up short against the best before but at least he has got on and fought the best and not bottled out like Calzaghe. Anyone can blow away Tocker Pudwill and boast about being a world beater but even though Woods has losses they are against guys like Jones Jnr and Johnson so he has my respect, even more so after his display against Hoye, a fight i tipped him to lose and get stopped in.

Posted: 16 Aug 2005, 04:51
by Foggy
boxingchat wrote:I take it the Tickets are slow in Sheffield then?
If your refering to Woods next fight at the Sheffield Arena i've been told that the ticket sales are going well, i work with someone who knows Dennis Hobson & Clinton fairly well and the news is that ticket sales have been brilliant. Also Seconds Out have claimed on their site that they had to put another 1000 tickets on sale due to the good demand.

Posted: 16 Aug 2005, 05:52
by stujones
boxingchat wrote:What aload of Bullshit. Clinton Woods had to travel to Oregon and fight Jones cos he was no 1. He had nowhere else to go. Run Johnson close? twce? yes and still never beat him despite the fight being in Sheffield.


Jones turned down Steve Collins, Chris Eubank and Joe Calzaghe cos he wouldn't come to the UK.

What a legend he is, not!
Why didn't the Brits go to America?

Posted: 16 Aug 2005, 06:53
by jamesmcdonnell
Because they were on to a very good thing. In fairness Eubank fought in America early in his career, and Benn went over there and caned Doug DeWitt and Iran Barkley. Collins also trained and lived in America for a lot of his career.

However, at the time British boxing was riding high, and it was easy for them to get people to come over, hence, Nigel Benn fighting McClellan at home.