The Sheffielder lost his IBF light heavyweight world title to Antonio Tarver in a below-par display in April.

Now Woods hopes to prove he is back to his best against American-based Muriqi on the island of Jersey on February 14.

Both men have lost to Tarver, although Muriqi put up the better showing.

Woods is calling the Jersey match-up with Muriqi as "a crossroads fight."

He said: "He fought Tarver before me and lost to a split decision. Everybody thought he had won, I got the video out and I thought he had won.

"He's a strong come-forward fighter, very fit, still young and hungry. Probably watching my performance against Tarver he feels he has done a lot better and he is going to beat me."

Woods thinks that might work in his favour if Muriqi underestimates him.

"He probably thinks I am finished, after that performance. So there is a shock in store for him.

"I hope he is underestimating me but I doubt it, he doesn't look that kind of fighter.

"His style is similar to Glen Johnson, I have fought a few people like that, he sits back and throws big looping right hands."

Woods said he has some good sparring partners been lined up.

"There are kids in the (Sheffield Boxing Centre) gym who are very similar to him - like Billy Boyle. He will be very good for my stamina because he doesn't stop."

Woods said that after the Tarver loss in Tampa earlier this year, he thought his career was over.

"I was going to pack in. But I had a bit of time off, did a bit of training, and thought I will have one more go - I didn't want to finish boxing like that."

 http://www.thestar.co.uk/sportheadlines/Clinton--I39m-back-to.4792512.jp