Woods v Tarver shares limelight with Dawson v Johnson by Ian McNeilly Jan 28th 2008

IBF light-heavyweight champion Clinton Woods will defend his title against IBO titleholder Antonio Tarver at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on April 12th. Woods' local paper the Sheffield Star broke the story last week and today it was confirmed by US television company Showtime that the bout will be broadcast on the same bill as WBC light-heavyweight champion Chad Dawson's defence against Woods' former three-times foe Glen Johnson. The world championship doubleheader is being promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and AT Entertainment in association with Fight Academy. "Thanks to Showtime and Dennis Hobson (Woods' promoter), we have created a very special night for boxing fans and an important event for the light-heavyweight division," said Gary Shaw. "Four world class fighters are taking the risk to reap the reward in a best against best scenario. Dawson, Tarver, Woods and Johnson are in the fights of their lives and I'm proud to be promoting them." Woods (41-3-1, 24 KOs) will be making the fifth defence of the crown he won with a fifth-round stoppage of Rico Hoye on March 4th, 2005. It will be Woods' second start in the United States and his Showtime debut. In his last outing, Woods retained his crown with a unanimous 12-round decision over former light-heavy champ Julio Gonzalez in Sheffield last September.

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setting up the show down Jan 28th 2008, 21:33:17 by fungus Any normal person who is in possession of a measurable IQ will understand that the mismatch between Chad Dawson and the unlucky Glen Johnson is destined to end in a quick but merciful stoppage. Sadly, it will probably end Johnson's career as well. He was a fine gentleman but unfortunately lacked the skills to be a real champion. If Clinton Woods wants an opportunity for a big money fight before he retires, he must dispatch the aging and overrated Antonio Tarver with a brutal display of pugilistic ferocity. This is Woods' last chance, he had better make the most of it.