Despite an eight month hiatus from the ring following the loss of his IBF Light Heavyweight title to Antonio Tarver last year, Clinton Woods came roaring back to life last night at Hotel de France in Jersey on the Channel Islands, handling opponent Elvir Muriqi over 12 one sided rounds.

With the victory, Woods becomes the mandatory challenger for the IBF title.

The 36 year Englishman proved to be the far sharper man in the ring with Muriqi, who many thought could have the advantage in this contest due to a better showing against Tarver during a disputed majority decision loss in 2007.

The much shorter American based visitor tried to come forward against Woods but Muriqi found a wall of leather for his troubles as the Sheffield native picked off Muriqi repeatedly.

Woods shook Muriqui several times, landing bombs from both the outside and inside, putting his edge in height and reach to good use.

Muriqi showed a superb chin and big heart during the contest but was never allowed by Woods to put together a cohesive offensive strategy, coming up short by scores of 119-109 and 117-111 twice after 12 rounds.

Woods improves to 42-4-1 (24) while Muriqi drops to 35-5 (22).

Backing up the main event was former English Bantamweight Champion Jamie McDonnell, 11-2-1 (4), who stopped Krastan Krastanov, 3-3 (0), of Bulgaria in the third round at super bantam.

Share/Save | (0) comments | Add your comments
Click to read more boxing articles by Ricky Jones

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Glen Johnson challenges Clinton Woods to a bet of $50,000

  Johnson challenges Woods to a bet of $50,000 on this weekends IBF Title fight, Woods refuses. As things heat up for the IBF Light Heavyweight Title fight between Glen Johnson and >
  
  

• Boxing Info: Hobson to offer Joe Calzaghe £1,500,000 to face Clinton Woods

  Dennis Hobson is to offer Joe Calzaghe £1,500,000 to move up to light heavyweight and face world champion Clinton Woods in an all British showdown. Providing both men come through >
  
  

• Boxing Interview With Clinton Woods

  By Rhun Leeding courtesy www.frankmaloney.com Make A Serious Boxing Offer, Frank After a protracted discussion in the media between Clinton Woods and Joe Calzaghe and their respective entourages, Woods believes a >
  
  

• Clinton Woods Proves His Worth in Sheffield Thriller

  Clinton Woods retained his IBF Light Heavyweight crown late last night in Sheffield, England by outfighting game challenger Julio Gonzalez over an action packed twelve round battle. Gonzalez, a former >
  
  

• Boxing Preview Analysis: Clinton Woods vs. Juan Gonzalez II

  This Saturday night on a Fight Academy Promotion at Hallam FM Arena in Sheffield, England, IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Clinton Woods attempts to improve his first victory over Julio Gonzalez >
  
  

• Boxing Preview: Clinton Woods vs. Elvir Muriqi

  Dennis Hobson puts on a boxing bill tonight in Jersey on the Channel Islands, a British Crown Dependency 14 miles off the coast of northern France. Headlining is former IBF >
  
  

• Warriors Boxing Want Glen Johnson - Clinton Woods

  After news reached Warriors Boxing Promotions that IBF light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods and his promoter, Fight Academy, had announced an optional title defense against Jason DeLisle on May 13 >
  
  

• Boxing Result: Urango, Cloud Win IBF Title Fights

  IBF light welter champ Juan Urango retained his belt while light heavy contender Tarvoris Cloud outpointed former champ Clinton Woods to capture the vacant IBF belt last night at the >
  
  

• Knock on Wood

  “Knock on Wood” Aussie Jason “the Nailer” Delisle has been in London for over a week, where he is scheduled to take on IBF # 5 Clinton Wood for the >
  
  

• Woods-Jones II in England?

  Reportedly, negotiations are underway for a rematch between former pound-for-pound and light heavyweight champion Roy Jones and newly crowned IBF champion Clinton Woods. In their first meeting, Jones dazzled Woods >
  
  

---

Boxing News Tags: Boxing Results, British Boxing, Clinton Woods, Dennis Hobson, Elvir Muriqi, Fight Academy, IBF, Jamie McDonnell, Krastan Krastanov