BoxRec

According to BBC news Clinton Woods has confirmed he'll be fighting Tarver in his next bout.

Good fight I guess for wood's profile but still masivly in favore of him getting a unification soon.

Clinton Woods makes a lucrative defence of his IBF light-heavyweight title against American 'name' Antonio Tarver in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, April 12.
It is full circle for the likeable Sheffield man, whose previous visit to the States saw him stopped in six rounds by a peak Roy Jones Jnr for the undisputed light-heavyweight title in Portland in 2002. Tarver later deposed Jones in two stunning rounds (when Jones was on the slide), and Woods makes his way back to beat the man who beat the man.
"Magic Man" Tarver never built on his Jones triumph in May 2004 in Las Vegas. He shared a win and a loss with canny Glen Johnson, laboured to beat Jones again (this time on points) and was then floored and outclassed by old man Bernard Hopkins in Atlantic City in June 2006, just a few months after old man Rocky Balboa had licked him in Rocky VI. You couldn't make it up.
Woods, in the meantime, shared a draw and a loss with the same Glen Johnson, outscored the Jamaican general in a thrilling third meeting, picked up the IBF belt outclassing American puncher Rico Hoye in five rounds in Rotherham in 2005 and made four defences up to now, including that big win over Johnson 18 months ago and two decisions over American tough guy Julio Cesar Gonzalez. He dismantled Aussie Jason DeLisle in six rounds in his other defence - a man who had previously taken him 12.
Woods is obviously a much-improved fighter while Tarver looks to be slipping at the ripe old age of 39 (though he turned pro late). He came back from the Hopkins humiliation (Hopkins takes on Welsh great Joe Calzaghe a week later in Las Vegas) with a couple of ho-hum wins last year but enjoys the benefit of home advantage for this one (he lives in Tampa) and will surely be 'up' for what amounts to Last Chance Saloon. Much depends on how much he has left. At his best, Tarver is a punishing, heavy-handed southpaw who enjoys opponents who come to him and so can't be ruled out. Woods - for all his grit, workrate and caginess - is aggressive and often there to be countered.
But their comparitive form in recent years favours the champion. It's never easy to win a big fight in the States, as Ricky Hatton has discovered in recent years, but Clinton should work his way to a gruelling decision.

Advabtages
1) fighting in the states
2) gets a meaningless extra title in the IBO
3) Fighting a name probably the best opponent out there who's free
4) Beat Roy Jones
5) will make money

Dissadvantages
1) Mite lose/get robbed
2) If he wins people will say Tarver was shot
3) Not a propper Unification
4) Tarver was beaten by Hopkins

Discuss.

Good fight / exposure, and he can get through it sets him up nicely for Calzaghe.

bennie wrote:Clinton Woods makes a lucrative defence of his IBF light-heavyweight title against American 'name' Antonio Tarver in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, April 12.
It is full circle for the likeable Sheffield man, whose previous visit to the States saw him stopped in six rounds by a peak Roy Jones Jnr for the undisputed light-heavyweight title in Portland in 2002. Tarver later deposed Jones in two stunning rounds (when Jones was on the slide), and Woods makes his way back to beat the man who beat the man.
"Magic Man" Tarver never built on his Jones triumph in May 2004 in Las Vegas. He shared a win and a loss with canny Glen Johnson, laboured to beat Jones again (this time on points) and was then floored and outclassed by old man Bernard Hopkins in Atlantic City in June 2006, just a few months after old man Rocky Balboa had licked him in Rocky VI. You couldn't make it up.
Woods, in the meantime, shared a draw and a loss with the same Glen Johnson, outscored the Jamaican general in a thrilling third meeting, picked up the IBF belt outclassing American puncher Rico Hoye in five rounds in Rotherham in 2005 and made four defences up to now, including that big win over Johnson 18 months ago and two decisions over American tough guy Julio Cesar Gonzalez. He dismantled Aussie Jason DeLisle in six rounds in his other defence - a man who had previously taken him 12.
Woods is obviously a much-improved fighter while Tarver looks to be slipping at the ripe old age of 39 (though he turned pro late). He came back from the Hopkins humiliation (Hopkins takes on Welsh great Joe Calzaghe a week later in Las Vegas) with a couple of ho-hum wins last year but enjoys the benefit of home advantage for this one (he lives in Tampa) and will surely be 'up' for what amounts to Last Chance Saloon. Much depends on how much he has left. At his best, Tarver is a punishing, heavy-handed southpaw who enjoys opponents who come to him and so can't be ruled out. Woods - for all his grit, workrate and caginess - is aggressive and often there to be countered.
But their comparitive form in recent years favours the champion. It's never easy to win a big fight in the States, as Ricky Hatton has discovered in recent years, but Clinton should work his way to a gruelling decision.

I agree with your assessment. Clinton is a hard worker, and his fitness has looked very good in his last few fights, since claiming he was anaemic through much of his career.

Perhaps Tarver is hungry for one last payday, but he's given the impression of late of feeling he's already a living legend of the back of his knockout over Jones.

As you say, Tarver is a big and strong man, and can hit without a doubt, but Clinton's chin has looked good throughout his career, even if he was badly hurt against Johnson at one point.

It's waaaaay more beneficial than a 569th fight with Johnson or Gonzalez lads.

IMO this is the second best opponent Clinton has faced.

I hope Clinton shows us what he's about and knocks out "The Line" in six rounds.

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:It's waaaaay more beneficial than a 569th fight with Johnson or Gonzalez lads.

IMO this is the second best opponent Clinton has faced.

Its better than Johnson or Gonzalez however I would like him to have fought Dawson or Green.

if the rounds are close, clinton will loose.

josh fg wrote:

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:It's waaaaay more beneficial than a 569th fight with Johnson or Gonzalez lads.

IMO this is the second best opponent Clinton has faced.

Its better than Johnson or Gonzalez however I would like him to have fought Dawson or Green.

I really wanna see how good Dawson is, but with Tarver fighting the week before I suspect that'll be who he faces if he wins against Johnson.

I also wouldn't mind Clinton fighting RJJ to get revenge.

Did Tarver beat Rocky Balboa in Rocky?

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:

josh fg wrote:

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:It's waaaaay more beneficial than a 569th fight with Johnson or Gonzalez lads.

IMO this is the second best opponent Clinton has faced.

Its better than Johnson or Gonzalez however I would like him to have fought Dawson or Green.

I really wanna see how good Dawson is, but with Tarver fighting the week before I suspect that'll be who he faces if he wins against Johnson.

I also wouldn't mind Clinton fighting RJJ to get revenge.

I don't think it'd mean very much to be fair.

bridportboxer wrote:Good fight / exposure, and he can get through it sets him up nicely for Calzaghe.

Cant see Woods being more lucrative than Jones jr. I'd more inclined to go looking for Kessler if I were team Woods, pretty sure the IBf would sanction that one.

bennie wrote:Did Tarver beat Rocky Balboa in Rocky?

It was close, I had it 95-94 Balboa. Thought there might be a rematch, but just seen Rocky shooting somebody up on YouTube

"Got any excuses tonight Antonio?" *in a broad sheffield accent*

IMO Clinton wins a fairly wide 4-6pt UD even with it being in the US

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:

josh fg wrote:

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:It's waaaaay more beneficial than a 569th fight with Johnson or Gonzalez lads.

IMO this is the second best opponent Clinton has faced.

Its better than Johnson or Gonzalez however I would like him to have fought Dawson or Green.

I really wanna see how good Dawson is, but with Tarver fighting the week before I suspect that'll be who he faces if he wins against Johnson.

I also wouldn't mind Clinton fighting RJJ to get revenge.

Dawson/Johnson & Tarver/Woods are part of the same card. It's a double bill, which I guess is a set up for Dawson/Tarver if they both win.

It's a good fight for Woods, but a tough one. Woods has never been the kind of fighter who inspires much confidence in me, but if he's at his best he can beat Tarver.

ArtOfWar wrote:

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:

josh fg wrote: Its better than Johnson or Gonzalez however I would like him to have fought Dawson or Green.

I really wanna see how good Dawson is, but with Tarver fighting the week before I suspect that'll be who he faces if he wins against Johnson.

I also wouldn't mind Clinton fighting RJJ to get revenge.

Dawson/Johnson & Tarver/Woods are part of the same card. It's a double bill, which I guess is a set up for Dawson/Tarver if they both win.

It's a good fight for Woods, but a tough one. Woods has never been the kind of fighter who inspires much confidence in me, but if he's at his best he can beat Tarver.

Yeh would be good if he beat Tarver, if its a double bill then he'll get watched by a lots and if he wins then he can get a possible money spinning fight with Dawson and even Calzaghe next year.

Chambers2 wrote:IMO Clinton wins a fairly wide 4-6pt UD even with it being in the US

I see it going the same way. Tarver hasn't looked particularly impressive of late. Isn't he coming off an SD win over the limited Elvir Muriqi?

Good fight for Clinton, much better than another one with Gonzalez

Clinton (who I dont actually rate as spectacular) but competent in most departments, shoul have too much in the tank for Tarver, whose mouth has more output than anything he does in a ring.

If Clinton beats Tarver and Joe beats Bernard, then thats a nice match for Wembley or Cardiff.

Just heard Woods interviewed on 5live was interesting, said he's hoping to break Tarver's heart in about the 8th round (seemed specific) after that he said he wanted Jo or Dawson if he won the fight on the same bill but not Johnson cos he didn't think he could sell it to the tele.

He always comes accross well but wish he'd get more media exposior. Realy top bloke.

A bit surprised this hasn't generated a bit more of a buzz - It's a great fight for Clinton.

Twinkle Toes wrote:A bit surprised this hasn't generated a bit more of a buzz - It's a great fight for Clinton.

Just promotional problems if you ask me.

I'd love for Clinton to beat Tarver but it all really depends on how much Tarver as got left - if Tarver is past it you'd have to favour Clinton but at his best Tarver beats Clinton - I mean look at their respective performances against Johnson - and I had Tarver winning his first fight with Johnson as well.

Clinton Woods is an easy fighter to root for. He always comes to fight and gives his best effort. He makes up for his lack of speed and finesse with a dogged determination and excellent fitness. I never thought him world-class, but he impressedme in the Johnson fights. However if Tarver has anything left in the tank and is properly motivated he should be too much for Woods. He's all wrong for Clinton stylistically and he is just physically more talented. Tarver won't gain any particular favor from the judges here in the states, so the prospects of Woods getting robbed are unlikely. I could see Clinton winning 4 maybe 5 rounds at best against a motivated Tarver, but thats it. Tarver by decision for me. But then again I thought Chambers would outpoint Povetkin, so what the hell do I know??