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Former IBF Light-heavyweight Champion Glen Johnson (40-10-2) discussed with Fightnews.com today his Saturday bout with IBF champion Clinton Woods (39-3-1) at the Bolton Arena. With only a few days to the fight ticket sales are expected to reach the 8,000 mark as Johnson attempts to regain the IBF title he relinquished in 2004. This will be the third meeting of the two fighters who enjoyed a draw over twelve rounds in November 2003 for the vacant title and then in February 2004 the 37 year old Jamaican clearly won on points to capture the title. Since then the skilled veteran of 56 fights stopped Roy Jones Jr in perhaps his biggest career win in September 2004. He advanced from the bell and stopped him in nine rounds. It was then he relinquished the IBF title for two lucrative fights with Antonio Tarver in which he won and lost one. His target in returning to England for a third time and a third fight with Clinton Woods is to regain the IBF version of the title at 175 pounds.
At today’s final press conference he challenged Woods to a $50,000 side bet for the fight after hearing comments made in the press that Woods vowed to stop Johnson inside six rounds. Woods declined the offer and denied making such a claim. Woods did however state, “I am here on Saturday to destroy the party that Sports Network and Warrior Promotions appear to have created by talking about a match between Joe Calzaghe and Glen Johnson. They have completely dissed me by ignoring my credentials as IBF champion. I will show them on Saturday who is the best light heavyweight in world boxing.”
Glen- how do you feel about coming back into Clinton’s backyard for the third time to face him on Saturday?
You will see from my record that I am used to travelling all over the world and have fought in many countries and as a consequence sometimes have been on the end of some bad hometown decisions. I still think I won the first fight with Clinton in 2003 and he was lucky to get the draw and that is why I came out from the bell in the second fight to beat him quite comprehensively. I am used to travelling and the people of Bolton have given me a warm welcome all week.
What is your career best performance to date?
When I beat Clinton in 2004 and won the IBF title it was the start of a purple patch for me and stopping the great Roy Jones Jr was perhaps my best performance that clearly put me on the map in terms of world boxing. I never actually lost the IBF title in the ring and relinquished it so I still believe I have a strong claim to recapture the belt which is what I intend to do on Saturday night.
Many people believe that Clinton Woods has improved since becoming champion- what is your view?
I saw his fight against Rico Hoye and he did perform well to win that fight against an opponent who brought a big reputation from the US. Clinton fought tremendously and deserved the accolade he got to win the belt. I have not analysed his performance against Gonzalez but I understand he boxed well over the distance. However, whether Clinton has improved or not does not bother me in my preparation as he has yet to beat me and my boxing skills are still strong.
How long have you trained for this fight?
Although 37 years of age I am always in training for the next opportunity and that has been my success over a 56 fight career. For this fight I have been in serious training for 12 weeks and my boxing skills are as sharp as the night I stopped Roy Jones Jr. I take each fight the same and don’t worry too much about my opponent just concentrate on getting Glen Johnson in the best shape with the best boxing skills and for this fight I have done this and a little more.
How do you see the fight?
The fight really depends on whether Clinton is defensive or offensive. In the first fight he put defense first and both bouts went the distance. I believe if he becomes more attacking on the front foot and more aggressive I will stop him inside the distance. Either way my style will show a high work rate and pushing Clinton Woods back as in the second fight where I got a good start.
Having won clearly in 2004 is there a danger you are complacent for this fight?
I am never complacent for this fight as I am never complacent for any fight for the world title. Yes I am confident but you have not seen me arrogant today. I am respectful of Clinton’s achievements and class him as one of the best fighters in the world at 175 pounds but I am coming to regain my IBF belt in his country.
There has been much talk of a Joe Calzaghe fight - is this clearly on your horizon?
I was offered a fight with Calzaghe on October 14th in Manchester by Sports Network but I told my manager Howard Foster that I wanted my IBF title back first and wanted to defeat Clinton Woods. This has always been my first priority and perhaps then with the IBF title under my wing we can get a “super fight” with Joe Calzaghe set for early 2006.
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The fight will be televised live in the UK on ITV1 at 9.30pm with the vacant WBA Jr-welterweight clash between the top two ranked Souleymane M’Baye (34-1) from France and Raul Balbi (54-7-1) also featured on the undercard.
