‘St Pete Times Forum’

On Saturday night, Sheffield Boxer Clinton Woods, put his IBF Light Heavyweight title at risk against ‘Magic Man’ Antonio Tarver in Tampa, Florida. Unfortunately for Woods, Tarver was indeed ‘Magic’ and Woods - having struggled to settle in to the fight from the first bell - lost his title after 12 rounds of passion-less boxing.

The slow start to the contest continued throughout. Woods realised that Tarver did not like the body-shots, so he tries to concentrate on them but the action was lacking. In the closing seconds of round three, the travelling British fans cheered as Woods strikes a straight left to the face of Tarver, who tilts off balance.

A couple of left jabs rock back the head of Woods mid-way through round four and, finding it difficult to settle in, he switches from southpaw to orthodox.

Throughout the fight, Tarver used a variety of shots but his most notable was the uppercut. More...

Click for larger image © Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing

Antonio Tarver registered a unanimous 12 round decision over defending champion Clinton Woods to capture the IBF light heavyweight crown and WBC 175 pound kingpin Chad Dawson remained undefeated with a thrilling, hard-fought 12 round decision over hard-luck Glen Johnson Saturday on Showtime. More...

© Tom Casino

A week before the big Calzaghe vs. Hopkins light heavyweight showdown, Sheffield's Clinton Woods defends his IBF title against Antonio Tarver in Tampa, Florida.

For Woods, this is his well deserved spot in the big league, topping an American bill as champion. A pro since 1994, Woods has won titles at domestic, Commonwealth and European level at super middleweight and light heavyweight.

In his first tilt at world honours, Woods had the misfortune to run into Undisputed World Light Heavyweight Champion Roy Jones Jr, then at the peak of his powers, losing in six rounds in September 2002. After a draw and a points loss verdict to veteran Glencoffe Johnson, Woods finally made it fourth time lucky, stopping American Rico Hoye in five in March 2005, wining the vacant IBF title. More...

Some fighters like to tell the world of their ring prowess and professional achievements, while others prefer to stay quiet and carefully build their reputation with solid performances. This weekendʼs IBF/IBO Light Heavyweight unification clash in Tampa, Florida features two boxers who perfectly epitomise those two very different moulds of men.

Sheffieldʼs IBF champion Clinton Woods is the quiet, unassuming type who would rather holiday in his caravan in Skegness than lavish himself with the finer things in life. He is the type of champion that is respectful and only shows his more frightful side in the ring.

Antonio "Iʼm prettier than a girl" Tarver is Woodʼs exact antithesis. Bold, brass and mouthy, listening to Tarver speak, you could easily be fooled into thinking that this man was the greatest to ever don trunks and gloves.

"If anyone has any doubt whoʼs the best light heavyweight, I will show them once again on Saturday nigh," Tarver said at this week's press conference. "I am delighted that Woods is here and sounds ready to fight, but like so many that fought me before him, his dreams and hopes will be dashed. There is only one true light heavyweight champion and thatʼs me." More...

Click for larger image © Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing

The biggest night for the light heavyweight division is just one day away. "TNT: Title Night in Tampa," featuring the Antonio Tarver vs. Clinton Woods IBO/IBF title unification fight and undefeated WBC champion Chad Dawson's title defense against former world champion and "Fighter of the Year" Glen Johnson, takes place tonight Saturday, April 12, at the St. Pete Times Forum.

The fighters weighed in yesterday for their hotly anticipated clashes this evening: More...