Info: Clinton Woods

12 Months, 27 Days, 23 Hours.

This is the countdown clock that’s been ticking in Clinton Woods’ head while in training at the Fight Academy gym at Gleadless.

That is the last time the Light Heavyweight World Champion last entered a professional boxing ring, when he defends his title later this month..

That was against bitter nemesis Glen Johnson on a show of rival promoter Frank Warren.

In a night full of controversy: disabled toilets for a changing room, accusations of rule infringements by Woods’ corner team (an accusation that cost Dennis Hobson £20K to defend) and an attempt to bar Woods from the post fight press conference. Woods had the last laugh by gritting his teeth and pulling off a victory by way of an heroic fight back in the last 3 rounds.

‘I can’t believe that it’s been that long!’ Admitted Woods.

‘That was probably one of my greatest nights. EVERYTHING was against us, and to be honest training had not gone well at all because of the chronic pain from my elbow injury. At the same time as all of this was happening my dad had to have a massive operation on his heart, so none of us in the gym dared to say ‘don’t worry, it could be worse’ because everyday something else would go wrong’
‘I didn’t find out until that night that even my little lad Jude was taken ill on the day of the fight itself! I’d keep seeing Richard skulking off muttering into his mobile and I wondered what was up with him. I found out later that he was arranging for the doctor to speak to Natalia and Richard’s wife to make sure everything was ok. It was just at the last minute that Natalia was able to come to the fight!’

‘And that was just the start of my problems!!’ he laughed.

‘I had surgery on my elbow in October 06 and it seemed to heal well and Dennis was talking to Warren about me fighting Calzaghe in what would have been a massive fight for British boxing’

‘I got back into training but my arm was still sore, so a fight early in early 07 was shelved and I was really disappointed’
‘Then Dennis got me a spot to defend my title in Vegas in June on the Hatton card and we went back into full training. It was stop and start all of the way and then in a sparring session it just ‘went’!’

‘The pain was awful and I thought that it could be over for me. My Vegas debut was off and I was devastated’

‘Richard tried to get me an appointment to see the surgeon who’d done the original operation, but he was off for 6 months for a heart bypass, UNBELIEVABLE!!’

Clinton then sat for a meeting with lifelong friend and promoter Dennis Hobson and trainer Richard Poxon to discuss the options.

Dennis told Richard to find the best he could and it was a search that ended in Harley Street.

Woods Continued ‘Me and Richard went down to meet Dr Sinnerton on the train and I was feeling quite positive ‘
‘It turns out he’s a big fan of boxing and has seen a lot of my fights. He gave me a good examination and then he hit me with it’

He said ‘Clinton, I’m going to open you up and see what we find but I’m not making any promises and it could be that there’s nothing I can do!’

‘We rode back on the train in silence and my head was spinning’.

Clinton had the operation and for once woke up to great news. ‘The scar tissue from my first operation had wrapped around my nerve and everytime I hit anything it would pull on it, and I can tell you it was agony, in fact the surgeon said he didn’t know how I’d even trained with it never mind sparred and hit the pads’! More importantly he forecast a 100% recovery. ‘After all I’d gone through it just felt fantastic’

His arm now stronger than ever and back in full training to meet number 1 contender Julio Gonzalez, things again look positive for Clinton’s future.

‘I’m in fantastic shape’

‘John from Evolution gym who does all of my weights has got me stronger than I’ve ever been before and everything’s coming together in the gym with Richard’

‘It has been a frustrating year but I’ve got someone to take it out on on the 29th!!’

‘One thing is for sure it won’t be 12 months, 27 days and 23 hours until my next fight. Once I get rid of Gonzalez I’m after all of the big names and I want them straight away. NO MORE WAITING!!’

Clinton Woods defends his World Title on September 29th at the Hallam Fm Arena.
Box office: 01142 560550
Prices are £35 £50 £75 & £200 VIP RINGSIDE

Fight Academy are offering fans these great deals to come and support Clinton.

Season ticket holders of Sheffield United & Wednesday, Chesterfield, Barnsley, Rotherham Utd, Doncaster Rovers and the Steelers can claim a 10% discount when purchasing 2 or more tickets.

Adults buying 1 ticket can take in a child (under 16) ABSOLUTELY FREE.