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Ant Evans, publicist for Fight Academy, the promoters behind “Meltdown”, the rematch between IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Clinton Woods and hard as nails Australian challenger Jason DeLisle this Saturday, sat in the middle of the long table of fighters and trainers at the Hilton Hotel in Sheffield this morning. Various members of the boxing press were present at the press conference to see what the fighters on the card had to say about this hotly anticipated fightcard .
Ant Evans: “Good morning everyone. I’d like to thank Sky Box Office for their hospitality. As you know we have a Boston show featuring Ricky Hatton, but first off we have the rematch of the October 2004 war between Clinton Woods and Jason DeLisle, right here. This top of the bill came about because Clinton has a voluntary defence to make before getting it on against the likes of Glenn Johnson, who is the number one contender. We offered this fight to a few others including Prince Badi Ajamu. They turned us down.
“While all the time down in Australia was the fighter to my right who was relentlessly campaigning for a rematch. He knocked Clinton down in the first round of the first fight and he then saw Clinton go on to become a world champion and he thought that he was maybe two or three seconds away from becoming the man to go on and fight Rico Hoye and maybe become world champion. Jason is here on merit. He is up for the fight and really wanted it. Clinton though, feels as though he has improved since the first encounter and predicts a quicker win this time. A seventh round KO. The first fight was a high octane thriller and the rematch tops the bill on Saturday. Clinton, tell us how you’re feeling and what’s going to happen in this rematch?
Clinton Woods: “Yeah, I feel as though I’m an improved fighter. I’m stronger. Obviously the loss to Glencoffe changed a few things. The first fight with DeLisle was a great fight, a tough fight. It took me a few rounds to get warmed up. He put me down in the first round. I don’t think he knocked me down with a big punch, he just hit me perfect on the chin. I can’t really remember much about the punch, but he never hurt me. If you watch the video I came straight back up within two seconds. I’m not worried about his power; it’s his work rate, he’s a strong fighter. I’ve got a lot of respect for this guy. Like I say, the Australians are always tough and this guy can fight as well. I’m just looking forward to a hard fight and think that this time maybe I can stop this guy. This time I’m gonna start fast – start fast and finish fast, try and stop the guy if I can. Like I say, I’ve got Glencoffe waiting, that’s the massive fight I want. But Jason is one tough cookie and it’s gonna be one hell of a fight.”
Ant Evans: “Jason, you talk about how in the first fight you never had world class experience. You’ve now got that. Do you see this fight going a different way?”
Jason DeLisle: “Yeah, I have got a lot more experience. This fight is pretty much gonna go the same way as the first. Clinton is gonna come out and go hard at the start and it’s going to be a very entertaining fight. But I feel so good about this fight.”
Ant Evans: “Also on this bill we have some of the best young talent. I’ll let trainer Richard Poxon tell you more.”
Richard Poxon: “Thank you. If you look around this table you’ll see some of the brightest prospects today. We have Femi Fehintola who is undefeated at 13-0. We’ve also got the vastly experienced lightweight contender Jonathan Thaxton. Who has an excellent chance at the British scene and internationally. And hopefully we’ll see him on more dates like this one. We also have some of our most decorated amateurs turning pro. David Dolan, I’m sure everyone in this room has heard about. The Commonwealth Medallist makes his pro debut, Saturday. Ok, are there any questions you’d like to ask? Before, first of all I’d like to correct anyone in this room if they are thinking we are looking past this fight. They are wrong. Glenn Johnson has never been mentioned and Joe Calzaghe has never been mentioned. Jason is the fight we’re concentrating on.
Question: “Clinton, what are you planning to focus on the most?”
Richard Poxon: (interjecting) “Saturday night, like I just told you.”
Clinton Woods: “I’m never a fighter who shouts off about who I want to fight. I did say from day one, when I first became champion that the guy who I really want is Glencoffe. I said that straight after I won the title. I know I’ve got a tough fight in front of me, it won’t be an easy fight and I’m not looking past it at the moment.”
Question: “With all the talk of Calzaghe and that fight, do you ever think that fight will happen?”
Clinton Woods: “I think there’ll be more chance of it happening, obviously I’ve gotta get past DeLisle. And after Johnson, there’ll more chance of it happening then. Like I say, you’ll have to ask the promoters. If Warren wants to put it on, and Hobson. It’s up to them. All the talk about Calzaghe I’ve just kept away from it. I’ve had people ringing me up, going on about Calzaghe, that’s why I haven’t been answering my phone.”
Question: Jason, I think you’ve lost a couple out of your last five, I’m just wondering how confident you are of causing an upset?
Jason DeLisle: “I’ve only lost one, to Julio Gonzalez, and I did take that fight on pretty short notice. Losses don’t bother me, I’m always confident; I’m here to win this fight. The hard part is the travelling, as I’ve said before. But that’s over now. ”
Question: The last time you fought Clinton, was that a big step up for you?
Jason DeLisle: “Yeah, course it was a step up, but it’s an even bigger step up now, fighting for the world title. I’m a very relaxed person, but I’m also excited to be getting this opportunity but I also know that I can’t get too excited about it. I know I can’t go in ‘gung-ho’, so everything’s fine.”
Question: How important is it to get the same start against Clinton as last time?
Jason DeLisle: “Oh, it doesn’t matter, whether it be early, middle or late. It doesn’t matter when just as long as I do it.”
Question: Clinton, who have you been sparring with?
Clinton Woods: “Erm, Buster Keaton, a savage fighter (laughs), Neil Dawson and Ricardo Samms. A combination of different boxers, two for speed, yeah lots of speed. ”
Question: Clinton, isn’t this your first fight without Dennis Hobson in your corner?
Clinton Woods: “Yeah, the first one, I think the ref will be pleased, it’ll be a bit quieter (laughs). But no, I’m experienced enough now and I know what to do without Dennis. I know what I’ve got to do in this fight.”
Question: Clinton, you’ve been out of the ring for eight months, do you see any ring rust?
Clinton Woods: “Well you never really know, maybe, but hopefully not. In sparring I’ve been alright. Obviously I’ll be a bit rusty at first, on the night there may be a bit of ring rust. But I’ve got to make sure there are no slip-ups in this fight. I’m not worried.”
Question: What have you been doing since the last fight?
Clinton Woods: “I always keep myself busy, in the gym, a lot of cycling. And changing nappies (laughs), my wife’s just had our first baby. I think I’ve aged about three years (laughs). I’m looking forward to getting into the ring, it’s got to be easier than what I’ve been doing (laughs). But yeah, whenever I’m not fighting I’m always in the gym, I never put a lot of weight on. And one more thing, I know I’m relaxed and we’ve been joking today, and I’ve had a bit of crack with Jason, but on the night I want to bash him up and he wants to bash me up. So ignore the fact that we’ve been smiling and joking, on the night we know we’ve gotta get down to it. The first fight were tough and I don’t think this one’s going to be any different. I don’t need to talk it up – just look at the Oscar De La Hoya fight last week, how daft does that Mayorga look now? You don’t have to go off like that. I’ve always got respect for my opponents but, like I say, on the night, I wanna bash him up!
Ant Evans: “Right, that about wraps it up, thanks for coming, and if any of you would like to speak to any of our fighters, we are all heading outside now to get some head-to-head photo shots of Clinton and Jason. Thank you.”
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