Losses sting but comebacks define fighters, says Clinton Woods

South Yorkshire boxing fans have witnessed plenty of ups and downs in the last frantic six months.

The biggest victory was unquestionably Sheffield's Dalton Smith who won the WBC world super lightweight title in January.

And, although lower down the ladder, there were pleasing title wins for the likes of Liam Cameron, Joe Hayden and Red Johnson.

The losses, as usual, were hard to take.

Last Sunday, Terri Harper had to kiss goodbye to her WBO belt after being outpointed by Caroline Dubois.

Harper struck a positive note afterwards, saying it was: "Not the result we wanted but we had a week full of fun, laughter, stepping outside of our comfort zone...a push, a couple of elbows and an amazing night of boxing.

"I’ve come away from last week with so much growth and great memories. A little bit of rest and downtime then back to it…you can’t get rid of me that easily."

Harper’s defeat followed a run of setbacks for other senior local fighters, including Shakiel Thompson, Maxi Hughes, Callum Simpson and Dave Allen, the latter dating back to October.

But is it such a bleak time for those men and women?

Former IBF light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods knows what it is like to be beaten...and come back to win a world title.

And for that reason, he has far from lost faith in his fellow boxers, particularly Thompson, one of his favourites on the Sheffield scene.

In March, the Handsworth man was stopped by Cornwall's Brad Pauls, who now has a possible shot at a world title, while Thompson will need to strengthen his case to qualify for such an honour.

Woods was the type of heart-on-your-sleeve boxer who knuckled down to come back from adversity to prove his mettle.

The one time IBF ruler held the high office from 2005 to 2008.

But before that spell he had lost to old foe Glen Johnson only a year previously at Ponds Forge, as well as coming off second best to the immensely talented Roy Jones Jr in Portland USA 2002 and David Starie back in 1998 in his 20th professional fight, in Hull.

The reverses served only to broaden his experience and feed his hunger to go on and succeed at the highest level.

"I hated losing, and I'm sure Shak and everyone else feels exactly the same way," Woods told The Star.

"But when you take steps up the ladder against better quality opponents who can punch harder, anything can happen.

"Shak was winning most of the rounds, but then got caught. And that happens to the best boxers, at some time or other, it is what makes the sport so exciting.

"It makes you more determined to come back and win."

Woods added: "Shak looks very fit, but he may think now he can come back even fitter and stronger after what happened.

"He might watch it back over and over again and spot the mistakes he made against a decent fighter, maybe the moments in later rounds when his arms start dropping and he's getting tired. It can happen to anyone.

"At 28 he has got a good few years in him and he'll be back in the gym.

"Real champions come back, people like Muhammad Ali (lost five times) Marco Antonio Barrera (seven) Jersey Joe Walcott (20) Marvin Hagler (three) Roberto Duran (16) and Sugar Ray Leonard (three.)"