BoxRec

A credible opponent I must say. Although the non-credible Jason Delisle is still being named as an option, much to the disdain of Clinton's fans.

http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news ... olumn.html

Some of Hobson's quotes:

"After this fight we're going to negotiate for Johnson - touch wood everything goes well - and that makes it all the more meaningful.

"Whether it is going to be here or over in the States, it doesn't matter.

"Clinton's got great names on his CV but after he got beaten by Johnson in the second fight a lot of people thought 'he's found his level, he's probably not quite up to it'.

"But that wasn't the real Clinton Woods, there were certain things in his metabolism that were not right, he'd got an iron deficiency so we're only now seeing the real Clinton and I think the next couple of fights will hopefully see him get the credit he deserves. He's not one of these alphabet champions and we should savour the time while he's at the top.

"We don't get too many kids who hold a meaningful world title and can hold onto it as well."

Before a rubber match with Johnson, though, 33-year-old Woods is likely to defend against the Italian Pietro Aurino according Hobson while former opponent Jason DeLisle, who Woods beat in an eliminator for the IBF title, is also keen on a rematch.

"We've looked at putting a voluntary defence together, maybe against the Italian Pietro Aurino. That's a fight we'd like to make," Hobson added.

"Jason DeLisle keeps chomping at the bit for a rematch because he put Clinton down in the first round of their eliminator. It was a great humdinger until Clinton stopped him late on. That could be made, it's not a problem.

"But the Italian is the favourite."

Hobson, who currently co-promotes IBF and WBA light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton, hopes to arrange Woods' next fight for the same night as Hatton's second defence in America.

"I think we'd make the fight as the same date as Ricky but have it this side of the pond. So it would be a big pay-per-view event with two IBF defences," Hobson added.

"They are the two main title-holders in the country and they are never involved in dull fights."




A Delisle fight would of course be rubbish, imo, but the proposed Aurino match wouldnt be bad at all for a voluntary.

i was disconcerted that the IBF nearly made Gonzalez the #1 contender. what would be worst - DeLisle again or Gonzalez again? thank smeg that Glen Johnson won those two fights vs GK Jones and R Hall, makiing him the #1.

Pietro Aurino? The same Pietro Aurino who had his purse held up for swallowing and turning his back at York Hall versus Johnny Nelson?

I am surprised Sky are suffering this.

Can't say I'm that happy either Boxingchat, but Arunio has turned his career round somewhat since then - he is much stronger a Light Heavy and has looked impressive on his recent showing (most of which have been aired on British Eurosport).

I'm quite happy for Woods to fight This italian fella just to keep busy until Woods can secure a big fight towards the end of the year

Lets not criticise this Italian gut (sorry i've forgotten his name ) but it was only a few months back that people was saying that Clinton should take 2 or 3 easy defences and earn some good money before going for the big fights.

you know, if woods was an up and coming young guy, everyone would be raving about him. I actually think he has more clever moves than anyone at 175. just cos he was thrown in against a prime Jones, who still had middleweight speed, it's like a permanent mark against him. Clinton looked awesome vs Hoye and very good vs Gonzalez.

I hope he goes on to beat Glen Johnson.

Aurino's another good fight for Woods. Pietro was far too small as a cruiser, and that coupled with the sheer size of guys like JC Gomez & Nelson, turned him into a bit of a spouiler, leading to that dire fight with Nelson.

but i think Aurino's southpaw stance and counter punching skills will make for a solid test for Clinton.

I for one like the sound of this fight, far more so than that of any other voluntary Woods could make (maybe excluding Hugo Hernan Garay).