By Troy Ondrizek

In one of boxing’s best venues, the Hard Rock Live arena in Hollywood Florida hosted two IBF title fights.  The first of which was contested in the light heavyweight division between longtime veteran and former titlist Clinton Woods (42-5-1, 24KO) from Sheffield England and Florida’s own undefeated Tavoris Cloud (20-0, 18KO).  Cloud came out in the beginning looking to bully Woods, but when you’ve been in the ring with Roy Jones Jr., Antonio Tarver, and three fights with Glencoffe Johnson you’re not going to be bullied by someone like Tavoris Cloud.  With that said it doesn’t mean Cloud won’t punish you, and that’s exactly what happened to Woods’ body compliments of Cloud’s fist. 

After realizing that Woods wasn’t going to succumb to pressure, Tavoris went to work with the left hook early in the second, only to be taken briefly to the ropes and hammered with an uppercut on the inside.  Cloud came back with a nice right once in the middle of the ring but gave ground to the battler from England where Clinton landed his bread and butter uppercuts and hybrid left hooks while Cloud’s back was against the ropes. 

The first two rounds in any normal fight wouldn’t be regarded as “feeling out” rounds, but compared to the third, that’s the only way to describe them.  Clinton had success early with the jab and hooking off of the jab, but Tavoris cornered his foe along the ropes and let loose with unforgiving shots from every angle.  Woods’ response was to fire a couple counters and throw his hands in the air, he might want to throw them at Cloud instead.

When Clinton would employ the stiff jab, he found great success and was able to control the distance and pace, but it was the left hook from Tavoris that dictated the fourth and fifth round despite Woods best efforts to nullify it.  Every time Woods got lazy coming out of an exchange a left hook came whirling his way and bounced off of his face with regularity.  When he got smart to the left, Cloud landed the overhand right and youth seemed to be a bit more clever than the long time contender.

With his right eye closing as a result of some well placed left hooks by Woods, Tavoris Cloud did everything he could with what God gave him to punish Clinton Woods.  Lefts to the body and head and body and head and arms etc, etc, etc kept Cloud in the lead for the first half of the bout.  Don’t think though that Woods didn’t have his moments, some nice left hooks and overhand rights landed, but every time they did, Cloud had an answer that was usually stronger and more aesthetically appealing. 

Cloud went about the middle rounds like a tiger stalking its prey, but the prey was punching him back in the face so while he had some good success, Woods was a tough foe to conquer.  Trading shots back and forth both men entertained the crowd with big shots and granite chins, both landing lefts regularly, but Tavoris would follow his up with rights while Woods followed his up by eating rights.  Late in the 8th a great left, right, left to Woods’ head by Cloud buckled the Englishman’s legs and sent him reeling to the ropes.  Tavoris pounded Clinton like he was tenderizing his soul, only to be stopped by the bell.  The ninth round started how the eighth finished, with Woods still wobbly and Cloud on the attack.  Even though he was receiving a pounding, Clinton came back to land some shots of his own and show a heart that can never be questioned. 

Tavoris Cloud’s conditioning will never be in doubt, he pressured Clinton Woods and threw punches for 3 minutes of every round, landing an impressive array of shots from every angle and in any combination.  While Clinton Woods made it competitive to the end, the story of the night was Tavoris Cloud and his maturation as a fighter.  He didn’t get his fight with Chad Dawson, and that was probably a good thing.  He was hit often by Clinton Woods and got a big test out of the way against a very tough and determined opponent.  He now knows what to expect from himself when he gets hit with good shots and what happens when you hit your opponent with your best shot and they punch you back. 

By staying undefeated with this impressive performance, Tavoris Cloud captured the vacant IBF title along the way.  The future for him seems bright and an eventual showdown with Chad Dawson looms likely.  As for Clinton Woods sadly he needs to retire.  He has had a great and long career and has been a consummate professional throughout, but it’s time for the warrior to bring it to an end.