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Authors Note: I wrote this story right after Clinton Woods finally became champion, he is now scheduled to make the first defense of his title against former WBO Champion Julio Gonzalez on September 9, at the Sheffield Arena, South Yorkshire across the pond in England. 

AT LONG LAST  

By Michael Amakor

Former WBC International Light Heavyweight Champion Clinton Woods finally captured the IBF Light Heavyweight Crown by stopping previously unbeaten IBA Continental Champion Rico Hoye in the 5th round in a dominating performance at the Magna Center in England on March 4th.

Clinton Woods set the tone from the beginning of the fight with ferocious left hooks and a  solid left jab. Hoye who had previously decisioned former champion Montel Griffin in his previous fight tried to retaliate against Woods excellent combinations which earned him a low point deduction in a losing effort en-route to forcing the referee Ian Lewis to end the one sided contest at the 2.59th minute of the fifth round.

Clinton Woods has fallen short in three previous attempts to be champion against Roy Jones, and twice against Glen Johnson in close decisions.  When Glen Johnson relinquished the IBF title to take on Antonio Tarver, he got another chance, and this time he emphatically clinched the crown. His perseverance has proved that you will be rewarded by boxing once you dust off any disastrous defeat and get back into the ring one more time.

How long he can hold the title remains to be seen as WBO Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe might see him as an easy pick to move up to the Light Heavyweight Division, Calzaghe may find that interesting since he does not have to come all the way to the United states to do so.  The pay per view potential could be enormous in a bout that could be titled the "The Angry Welshman comes after the English". Stay Tuned

Authors Final Note: To date, the aforementioned fight with Joe Calzaghe never materialized, Now Woods moves on against Gonzalez. This should be a great fight as Gonzalez is a tough veteran who like Woods also beat Montel Griffin and David Telesco, his biggest career win so far was a decision win over long time champion Darius Michalczewski.

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