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Defeated ex-champ Clinton Woods set to retire
SHEFFIELD boxing hero Clinton Woods is expected to retire after a brave battle in which he failed to regain his world title in the early hours of today.
For full report, reaction and photos see The Star and the Green Un today, Saturday, August 29, 2009.
The 37-year-old went the distance but lost on points, 116-112, against unbeaten younger man Tavoris Cloud - for the vacant IBF light-heavyweight title in Hollywood, Florida.
After the fight, Cloud, aged 27, said of veteran Woods: "He's a very experience fighter. I can't take nothing away from him. I didn't go looking for the knockout. I can go the distance if I have to. I can still be strong and dangerous in the later rounds. Clinton Woods is a good fighter. A classy fighter. I take my hat off to him."
It was a unanimous decision after Cloud, a worthy champion, lived up to his name and rained down a storm of thunderous punches on the fighter who trains at Hillsborough's Sheffield Boxing Centre.
From the start of round one, Cloud came out like an electrical storm, throwing vicious, hard punches. Woods used his bigger frame and height to control him and managed to pull away from the ropes, taking the fight to the centre of the ring.
But Cloud kept coming forward and his work rate was intense. Woods didn't waste much in return. And when Cloud appeared to have hurt him, Woods was quick to raise his arms and smile, as he played mind games with his opponent.
Woods took a real beating, especially in round eight and 10. Again he proved to have a big heart – his battle-hardened experience and supreme toughness saw him through, when most men would not have been able to weather this storm.
Yet in the end it was old father time that beat Woods. The 10-year age gap was decisive.
Cloud, from Tallahassee, threw almost twice as many punches as Woods during their 12 rounds.
Woods had said he had no intention of spending round after round simply seeking to evade the might of the unbeaten American. But he did spend an uncomfortable amount of time up against the ropes, taking too many punches.
At times though he appeared to roll back the years as he proved he can still mix it with the best of them.
He visible shook Cloud as he snapped his head back with impressive uppercuts on several occasions. The young man had never been the distance before, or taken such punishment. Yet Woods failed to use his trademark left jab to its full potential, which would have given him space to line up the smaller man for a killer blow. That never looked likely.
The defeat will almost certainly draw the curtain on the illustrious 15-year career of the city's best loved boxer. His three bouts on American soil have all ended in defeat and it was far from his best fight.
But today's brave performance should restore some of his pride - after underperforming there last year against Antonio Tarver.
He threatened he would retire if he lost in Florida today - in which case he said goodbye to boxing at 4.01am (GMT). An announcement is expected to follow.
Whatever happens next, he will leave behind a lasting legacy as a Sheffield icon, a former world champion and a great ambassador for sport at home and abroad.
What do you think? Add your comments below.
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