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By Scott Shaffer
02/09/2006
Clinton Woods W12 Glen Johnson... By split decision, Clinton Woods has retained his IBF light heavyweight title against Glen Johnson in Bolton, UK. Woods was hurt by Johnson in the eight round but rallied in the eleventh, which saw a tiring Johnson looking to clutch Woods. The twelfth round also belonged to Woods, but Johnson had done enough early to make both men sweat out the decision. Although it was a split decision, there was no nationalism involved in the scoring: Englishman Mickey Vann scored it 115-113 for the American Johnson, while Johnson's fellow American Richard Bays voted for Woods 115-112. Roberto Ramrez settled matters, turning in a 116-112 card in Woods' favor. Woods and Johnson, a former world champion, are both considered among the top 175-pounders and today's result only adds to their disputed rivalry: in three meetings, both men have won once and there was a draw. With the legitimate world champion, Bernard Hopkins apparently retired, Woods vs. Antonio Tarver would be a natural to determine Hopkins' heir, but a bout between Woods and world super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe would be box office gold in the UK. source: the sporting life
