Reigning world light heavyweight champion of the world Clinton Woods says he can’t pick a winner in Friday’s eagerly awaited vacant British Cruiser Title at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield.

Two of Woods’s close friends, Lee Swaby and John “Buster’ Keaton, collide for the vacant 14stone 4lbs strap and Woods, who will be ringside, explained: “I’ve been good mates with both of them for years and I think this is a terrific fight. It is 50/50 , there’s no clear favourite because you can make a good case for either man winning.”

IBF kingpin Woods knows both combatants professionally as well as personally. He said: “I’ve sparred loads with both of them. Buster has been a sparring partner for my last three world title fights and I must have done fifty or sixty rounds with him. And, Lee and I must have sparred a hundred rounds over the years.

“But if anything, having sparred with them both makes it even harder for me to pick a winner. Both of them have got good assets and could win this one. But I see Buster being the boss early and Lee maybe having it his own way later on.

“They’ve got two different styles, Buster throws heavier shots - he will be the bigger puncher of the two - but Swaby is trickier. Swaby could move, mess him about and then bust him up late on or take it in points. Or Buster could overpower him early on.

“I just can’t make my mind up.”

Woods agrees that the two men, who have come up short in previous British Title fighters, will probably “fight desperate’ Friday night.

“I’ve spoken to both of them and they are well up for this,” the IBF champion said. “They’ve both whipped themselves into great shape. They want that British Title very badly and know this is their very last chance.”

Asked for a definitive pick, Woods laughed: “I’m going to have resort to the cliche of saying “the real winners will be the fans’ - because I just can’t separate them.”

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