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Yanks back Clinton
CLINTON WOODS will have more fans than he reckoned with here in Tampa tonight.
A modest, but vocal number of Brits are out here to support Sheffield's light heavyweight world champion - and they will be massively outnumbered by 10,000 Americans.
Yet many of those coming to see Tarver in his own back yard want him to LOSE.
Many of the bar owners, taxi drivers and shop and hotel workers in this sunny city have little time for Tarver, a boxer-cum-film star with an ego to match his bank balance.
Lee Edwards, a Sheffield boxer here to back Woods, said: "It's amazing how nobody here has a good word to say about Tarver.
"All you here is "let's hope your British guy wins.'
"Our hotel has been taken over by Clinton supporters...and they'll be ready to shout their hearts out for him by the time he appears in the ring tonight."
Support is rallying behind Woods from all angles.
See Monday's Star for fight report and pictures
American boxing writer Tim Starks of the MVN network, wrote: "Tarver is perhaps boxing's most grating personality, and that's saying a lot. He gets booed in his home state, even. I'll root for Woods, as I would for anyone going up against Tarver."
But away from the debate, it's business as usual for the South Yorkshireman.
Dennis Hobson, Woods' promoter, said: "The mental preparation is every bit as important as the physical one and Clinton is really strong right now.
"I was a bit worried about him a week and a half ago because he was a bit mumpty - but now he's really in the zone and ready to do a job of work.
"There are so many things that go through a boxer's mind, fear, fear of letting people down, aggression, etc. But he has pulled it all together and hopefully we will see a performance of a life time.
"I don't know how many Brits have come over, but it is great to see those here enjoying themselves and preapring to get behind Clinton."
Woods' wife Natalia arrived in Tampa on Thursday afternoon - which improved Woods' mood even further.
He told The Star: "I have psyched myself up for his; I know its going to be a tough, hard fight.
"I just want to get it over with now."
Woods was less than impressed at promoter Gary Shaw's caustic behaviour at a gym session this week.
"I was training and he said something like: 'You've have to be quicker than that Clinton.'
"There were some English lads there and they gave it him back straight away. It will be good to beat him and Tarver.
Meanwhile, Tarver accepts that for once, he will be the underdog.
"This guy is coming in favourite right here in my back yard" he said.
"People feel the fighter they saw against (Bernard) Hopkins is me. They are making a terrible mistake. I am at my best when I hae a lot to prove."
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
