CLINTON Woods must conquer French-Algerian knockout specialist Rachid Kanfouah if he is to force his way back into world-title contention.
Kanfouah, who has stopped 23 of the 26 opponents he has beaten since turning professional 12 years ago, has been selected by European boxing authorities to contest the contintent's light-heavyweight belt with Sheffield's Woods.
Purse bids will be made on October 15 and Woods' manager, Dennis Hobson, hopes to beat French promoters to bring the title fight to Sheffield before the end of the year.
Woods lost his IBF crown to Antonio Tarver in April after holding it for three years.
Hobson believes his man's chance of getting back on the world stage are best served by winning the Euro title first.
Hobson said: "Clinton has to re-establish himself after that bad performance against Tarver, but he has done it before.
"When he lost to Glen Johnson (January 2004) he got going again by boxing Jason DeLisle before seizing his chance to beat Rico Hoye.
"Clinton is 36 but lives well and is fresh and ready for his come-back.
"It is not as if he is like Ricky Hatton who abuses his body in between fights. He is like Bernard Hopkins who is still around at 43."
Woods' purse for the Euro tilt will pale into insignificance compared to those against the likes of Tarver and Roy Jones Junior.
Hobson said: "When Clinton lost to Johnson he had to take a step back to go forward. He trusted me then and he ended up with some decent money after that."
An initial plan for the South Yorkshireman to face Croatian Stipe Drews collapsed when Drews announced his retirement.
Kanfouah, aged 35, is an orthodox fighter, perhaps a relief for Woods after struggling against a southpaw inTarver.
Kanfouah has not boxed since January yet Hobson said that the Frenchman's team had wanted to Woods fight in the coming New Year.
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