By Don Caputo

After three failed world title attempts, Britain’s Clinton Woods looked destined to be just another in a staggeringly long line of nearly men churned out by the sport over the last century. He was set to join the likes of Jerry Quarry, Bennie Briscoe and fellow Brit Herol Graham; perennial contenders who spent their careers toiling fruitlessly on the cusp of world championship glory until finally retiring as the embodiment of the trite saying, ‘so near, yet so far.’ In the aftermath of Woods’ punishing point’s loss to Glencoffe Johnson for the vacant IBF light heavyweight trinket in February of last year (in what was his third opportunity to claim a portion of the crown), the underlying feeling was that the former steel worker from Sheffield was consigned to a similar fate.

A confident and aggressive Woods had his dream of bringing a world title back to Sheffield squashed for the first time by the great Roy Jones Jr. in 2002.  He was brave and took the fight to the then pound for pound king, but ultimately played into his destructive hands as combinations rained down on him from every conceivable angle. Despite finding himself outclassed by a seemingly omnipotent adversary and utterly bewildered amidst the haze of his blistering hand speed and pin-point accuracy, the Briton doggedly refused to take a backwards step and was still on his feet when his corner mercifully waved off the massacre in the sixth frame.

After the third round it was as one sided as any fight could have been, but Woods was applauded for his courageousness and left the ring with his head held high. The pain of the loss was written all over his face though, as he must have wondered if he had missed his one and only chance to realise his dream. He must have also solemnly resigned himself to the fact that as long as Jones was around, he would never be number one.

It was a stroke of fortune then when Jones made the decision to enhance his legacy in the heavyweight division, thus leaving his array of titles vacant and consequently up for grabs. Woods was promptly matched with veteran Glencoffe Johnson to contest for the vacant IBF strap, and after twelve hotly contested rounds the official decision was a draw. It had been a hard fought battle, but in the eyes of most neutral observers it was the Jamaican who deserved the nod as he was the aggressor throughout and seemed to connect with the harder, more telling blows. The fact that the contest took place in Woods’ home town gave further weight to the numerous cries of foul play.

An immediate rematch was scheduled, and although the initial draw must have been a bitter pill for Johnson to swallow, he roared out and more or less dominated the action from bell to bell the second time around. Woods was well beaten, and a third opportunity had slipped through his weakening grasp.

Woods had not looked himself in either of the Johnson clashes. His punches lacked their normal snap, he appeared ponderous and lethargic, and over the twenty-four rounds was consistently overpowered by a visibly smaller opponent. Serious questions were now being asked. Was he good enough to be successful at the highest level? Was he on the downslide? Would he ever get another chance? Woods, never one to make excuses, said after the bitterly disappointing loss that he had not felt right for either fight and seemed genuinely puzzled as to why. While he went away to ponder his future, even his most ardent followers were beginning to doubt if he would ever make it to the top.

That dark and disheartening night seems like a lifetime ago now though, as Woods now reigns supreme as IBF champion after stopping the hard hitting Rico Hoya in five heats earlier this year. After defeating Jason DeLisle in an eliminator, Woods was once again in line to contest for the vacant IBF belt vacated this time by his conqueror Glen Johnson.

Claiming that he had discovered what was wrong with him in his last couple of fights (an iron deficiency), he promised we would see the Clinton Woods of old when squared off against the favoured Hoye and that is exactly who showed up. After five rounds of scintillating action it was fourth time lucky for Woods, as the referee waved off the contest to save the helpless American from taking any more punishment. It was not only an unforgettable and unexpected performance but a wonderful night for British boxing.

Tomorrow night, Woods (37-3-1 23 KO’s) will make the first defence of his newly acquired crown against his mandatory challenger and former WBO title holder Julio Gonzalez (38-2 23 KO’s) at the Hallam FM Arena in Sheffield, England.

Talking about the fight, Woods said, "In my opinion, Gonzalez and myself are the best two light heavyweights in the world, although Tarver and Jones might dispute that.”

"It will be a hard defence but there are no easy fights in the top 10."

The Mexican, who went the distance with Roy Jones Jr. and was the first man to defeat the long reigning WBO champion Darius Michalczewski, has warned the Woods camp to expect a ‘bloody battle.”

"Woods is a tough fighter but I will identify his weaknesses in the ring," he said.

"It is going to be a bloody battle and I am not coming over here to back down."