By Jim Amato

Clinton Woods successfully defended his I.B.F. light heavyweight championship with a solid points win over former W.B.O. titleholder Julio Gonzalez. It was a fine performance that served notice that he is a major player and worthy opponent for the winner of the upcoming Antonio Tarver-Roy Jones Jr. bout.

Gonzalez gave a workmanlike effort and the fight was fairly close through seven rounds. From that point on the Woods jab began to dictate the pace while piling up points. The final tally of the judges cards showed Woods winning by margins of 117-111, 118-112 and 116-112 all for Woods.