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It's all over as Clinton quits boxing
CLINTON Woods' proud 15-year career in boxing is over today. Sheffield's 37-year-old former world champion said the scale of his IBF world title defeat to American Tavoris Cloud had persuaded him his time was up.
He conceded that the reason he lost to the 27-year-old in Florida was that the younger man was "fresher."
Accepting that his best days are now behind him, Woods told The Star: "Cloud was a really good fighter and he's young, while maybe I'm too old for that level.
"In my hey-day I would have beaten him, but I have no excuses and I think my love affair with boxing is over. I wouldn't have chosen to have gone out with a defeat, but I never took a beating.
"Yes, Cloud did hurt me in one of the rounds, but I felt at the time that the fight was closer than it actually was.
"When I watched it on video, I thought the first six rounds were even, but it is obvious that Cloud took it over from there. It was weird because at the time I read it completely wrong. I thought I had set the pace.
"There have been more ups than downs over 15 years. Beating Crawford Ashley for the European light-heavyweight title (1993) and winning the world title against Rico Hoye (2005) were the biggest highlights, along with beating Glen Johnson (2006.)
"It was good while it lasted and I am happy with what I achieved."
Woods said his wife, Natalia, would back his retirement plans, which would probably include a return to his first job as a plasterer.
"I'm not a millionaire but I have made some money out of boxing. But I couldn't do nothing," he said. "I'd want to work a couple of days a week. I'll miss boxing, but I'll keep going to the gym."
Woods' retirement, which he will officially confirm when his promoter Dennis Hobson is back in the country, brings to an end a glittering career which started in 1994 with a six-round points win at Stanning ton's then-Pinegrove Country Club.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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