Clinton Woods will be hoping for one last hurrah as he bids to regain the IBF light-heavyweight title when he faces Tavoris Cloud, an unbeaten American, in Hollywood, Florida, tonight. The career of the 37-year-old from Sheffield seemed over when he lost the title to Antonio Tarver on points after a desperately disappointing performance in April last year, but has been rejuvenated under Glyn Rhodes, his new trainer, and got the chance to box for his old belt when Chad Dawson, who had won it from Tarver, vacated it.

“He is in the best shape physically and mentally that I have seen him for some time,” Dennis Hobson, Woods’s promoter, said. “He’s in great spirits, laughing and joking, it is such a change compared to before the Tarver fight.”

Hobson was as downhearted as Woods after his non-display in Tampa. He had gone to the United States with high hopes of the sort of high-profile win that would maybe set up a big-money bout with Joe Calzaghe. But Woods allowed Tarver to box at his own pace and barely won a round.

It had been the second time Woods had boxed in the United States, the first had been when he was beaten in six rounds by Roy Jones Jr at his peak.

“People in America haven’t seen the best of Clinton,” Hobson said. “Both times he boxed in America he just didn’t show up. They are going to see another Clinton Woods this time.

“They are thinking it’s going to be a walkover. They are thinking that Clinton is on his way out. But I think they will be in for a surprise. There has been a lot of money invested in this kid [Cloud] and they think that by bidding big to get the fight in America they are buying the title.”

Cloud, 27, has won all his 19 bouts and a record of 18 stoppages shows his reputation as puncher. But his most recent opponent, Julio César González, whom he stopped in ten rounds a year ago, is the only standout name on his record. González has also been beaten twice by Woods.

“He is obviously a bit of a puncher, but Cloud isn’t very big,” Hobson said. “If Clinton can not offer him a target early on, I think he can break this kid’s heart. If the Clinton of old, the best Clinton, turns up, he can beat this kid.”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/boxing/article6812698.ece