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 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.