CLINTON Woods never stood a chance

Sheffield's world champion had no counter to the lightning-fast fast, aggressive style of opponent Antonio Tarver.

The American boxer was speedier and more decisive in his delivery. The barrage was hostile, sustained and well orchestrated by Tarver's corner.

All Woods could do was take it on the chin.

By any refereeing standards, then, a clear points' victory to Tarver over Woods.

But the win came at a press and media conference....and in the ring it might be so, so different.

For if Woods needed a psychological boost to make him more determined to win his fifth defence of the IBF light heavyweight belt, surely this crass exhibition of immaturity provided it.

Tarver breezed into the conference, at a casino in London's Leicester Square, fashionably late. His first words weren't encouraging: "Say hello to the bad guy. Let's make this short and sweet."

Tarver then held court for the next 40 minutes of attempted bullying and macho-man posturing.

He felt recent comments about Woods' intentions of making "mincemeat" out of Tarver, were disrespectful.

As was the fact that there was no limousine waiting for Team Tarver when they landed at Stansted airport four hours earlier.

After outlining such grievous shortcomings, it was time for Tarver to try and belittle Woods: "I am the best light heavyweight in the world," he said, adding that all his contemporaries shouldbe grateful to share a stage with him.

"You are sitting next to the man who beat the man (Roy Jones Jr) so how in the hell in your right mind do you (Woods) think you can knock me out - something that has never been done before?

"You're the one who knows what it's like to be knocked out."

That raised the stakes with Woods interrupting, Tarver slamming his fist on the table and both men eyeing each other as though they were about to sling the first punches a couple of months earlier than the intended match in Tampa, USA, on April 12.

"You ain't never seen anyone like me" said Tarver, for which Woods can feel eternally grateful.

"You are a hand-picked opponent" continued the American.

Just as it was starting to get repetitive, Tarver played his ace card: "Do I look like a fighter to you? I have been in this game 20 years. I don't have no scar tissue. I've never been cut.

By Bob Westerdale

Original Article http://www.thestar.co.uk/boxing/The-last-laugh-for-Woods.3747202.jp