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. More...

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 Light Heavyweight Champion Clinton Woods, who meets America's Elvir Muriqi in a 12 rounder.

36 year old Woods, 41-4-1 (24), of Sheffield, England is coming off a disappointing loss to IBO titlist Antonio Tarver in Florida ten months ago and for the ex-European titlist, this is a must win bout if he is to once again fight for world honors.

Muriqi, 35-4 (22), a Kosovo native now residing in New York, is coming off a KO win of Jameel Wilson a year ago but the stocky 29 year old produced a far better performance against Tarver than Woods, pushing the veteran hard before losing a very close and controversial majority decision in 2007.

Both combatants will have to shake off the ring rust due to inactivity but it should be a good contest as the willful Muriqi will undoubtedly come forward and tangle with the taller and more skilled Woods in a bout that should go the distance.

It's a crossroads battle to be sure with the winner going onto a likely world title bid while the loser will be back at square one.

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Olympic Bronze Medallist “Jaffa” Jeffries has signed professional forms with Sheffield-based promoter Dennis Hobson in what promises to be a match made in heaven. More...