Clinton Woods v Glencoffe Johnson 3 was not only a fantastic fight for the fighters concerned, but it was also fantastic advertising for the sport of boxing. From the very first bell to the final one, both fighters showed a determination and level of courage which was an example to all. In the end Clinton Woods prevailed on the judges scorecards and is still the IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Of The World.  Boxingtalk caught up with the Champion's trainer, Richard Poxon, and you don't want to miss what he had to say.

Spud Woollatt: Good Morning Richard. Firstly I have to say congratulations on Clinton's win against Glencoffe. Can you talk about the lead up to the fight, as I believe not everything went according to plan?

Richard Poxon: The first few weeks of training went absolutely brilliant.  In fact they were going that well I was having to put the brakes on Clinton.  At one point I considered kicking him out of the gym. But then it was almost as if anything that could go wrong did.  Clinton got accidentally thumbed in eye in sparring.  He had a viral infection and had to have 2 weeks off training.  He then started having problems with his elbow, what worried me more than anything else was Clinton's dad was rushed into hospital for heart surgery.  Mentally it showed how strong Clinton now is. To go through all that and still be Champion is a considerable achievement.

Spud Woollatt: With all the problems that happened prior to the fight, can you honestly say you went into last Saturday 100% confident that Clinton would win?

Richard Poxon …Of course you always have concerns, but it was my belief that a 70 - 80% fit Clinton Woods was good enough to stop anything Glencoffe Johnson had to offer.

Spud Woollatt: Before we move on, taking into account the problems you discussed, was a withdrawl from the fight ever considered?

Richard Poxon: Myself and Dennis (Promoter) did discuss things but Clinton had said to me that whatever happened to him he was fighting Glencoffe Johnson last Saturday.  Clinton knew this was a massive occasion for him and it would have taken a lot for him to withdrawl.

Spud Woollatt: I do not mean to keep on asking negative questions, but, it is rumoured you were upset with the way you were treated prior to the fight?

Richard Poxon: Yes I was.  When we arrived at the Arena, they had put Clinton into a small changing room which was not big enough to fit me and him in, let alone anyone else.  You have to bear in mind Clinton Woods was the Champion and was taking part in the top of the bill, yet I felt a complete lack of respect was shown in the way we were treated.  If people want to get their thrills out of treating boxers who risk their lives for our entertainment then so beit but you would not catch me out treating fighters in such a way.

Spud Woollatt: now to the fight itself.  Looking back, firstly, are you happy Clinton won the fight clearly enough and secondly how concerned were you in that 9th round?

Richard Poxon …Overall I was really confident was going to get the decision.  The 9th round clearly was a concern, but I know Clinton and knew he had the strength to pull through.  I felt overall the quality & accuracy of Clinton's punches and his work rate enabled him to win clearly enough.

Spud Woollatt: When the final bell went, were you not concerned you would be "shafted" on the judges cards?

Richard Poxon: Absolutely no!!! I always had trust and belief in the integrity and judgement of  the IBF & its officials.

Spud Woollatt: Now that Clinton has won, whats next for him? You know which name I am going to throw into the mix and lets face it, it's the clash everyone wants to see?

Richard Poxon: Before I go into the Joe Calzaghe situation I want to stress that Clinton Woods has always had more options than just Joe Calzaghe.  Now Saturday is out of the way you will not believe the options we now have.

However Clinton, Dennis and myself know how much everyone wants to see Clinton Woods face Joe Calzaghe and yes I will go as far as to say we want that fight as well.  But, that fight is not going to take place purely on everyone else's terms.  We understand there has to be flexibility on all sides.

Overall the problem is Clinton is not going to fight for £400k and Sportsnetwork will want the fight to take place on ITV.  Clinton, Myself and Dennis will be more than happy to sit down to discuss with Frank Warren and Team Calzaghe to see if there is a way forward.  As far as we are concerned we will explore every avenue to get that fight on but it is going to take place on some of our terms as well.

Spud Woollatt: How is Clinton now the fight is over?

Richard Poxon: There is a problem with his elbow.  Hopefully that will be sorted out through a lot of work with the physio, if not, it will mean a minor operation which I am told will mean Clinton being out of action for a maximum of 6 weeks.

Spud Woollatt: Do you have anything else to add?

Richard Poxon: Yes I have seen some of things said on your discussion forum on boxing talk.  It beggars belief sometimes that some of those people actually know anything about boxing.  Perhaps some people should stick to playing croquette instead of making out they know about the ins and outs of boxing.  Some of the comments on how some posters scored the fight were a complete joke.

I bow to the superior knowledge of some of your peopl, I mean some of them said Clinton had no chance against Rico Hoye and Julio Gonzalez: look at what happened there!!!: so now they are saying Clinton has no chance against Cazlaghe.  Tell them from me, have a coffee wake up and I hope they realise Joe Calzaghe will be in a real fight if he steps into the ring with Clinton Woods.

I am determined to finish this interview with you Spud on a positive.  I want to stress how proud I was of Clinton on Saturday evening. It is the proudest moment of my time in boxing because it meant so much to all of us seeing Clinton do the business and I believe he did it in style.