Tarver vs. Woods
Two Light-Heavyweight Title Fights Headline Showtime Boxing Card
Antonio Taver takes on Clinton Woods and Glen Johnson challenges Chad Dawson in a night of championship fights on Showtime April 12th
Showtime Championship Boxing will go head-to-head with HBO's night of fights featuring Miguel Cotto vs. Alfonso Gomez this Saturday Night from the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. The Showtime card will feature two light-heavyweight title fights, which should lead to a unification bout between the victors. First, undefeated WBC Champion Chad Dawson will defend his crown against savvy veteran and former champion Glen Johnson. At the age of 39, Johnson might be in twilight of his career, but he he will certainly be one of the toughest challenges of the young champion's reign.
In Johnson's illustrious career, he has earned victories over former champions Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio "The Magic Man" Tarver, both of which earned him the title "Fighter of the Year" in 2004. After being viewed as a journeyman for the majority of his career, Johnson put himself on the map by knocking out Future Hall-of-Famer Roy Jones Jr. Chad Dawson's 6'3, thin, frame could give Johnson fits if he can't find a way to get inside and make Dawson mix it up. The other bout in this championship double-feature will be Clinton Woods defending his IBF title against Former Undisputed Light-Heavyweight King Antonio "The Magic Man" Tarver.
After a humiliating, one-sided loss to Bernard Hopkins, Tarver took some time off from boxing, but has become re-energized with two consecutive impressive victories on Showtime. Althought aging, Tarver still believes he is in the prime of his career and hopes to prove it Saturday Night in front of his home-town crowd. He is looking to renew his quest to unify the titles, but first must get past British Sensation Clinton Woods, who owns a recent victory over Glen Johnson. Tarver's slick, southpaw style could frustrate the Brit, and make for a one-sided affair. In addition, the 35 year-old Woods was pushed to the limit in his last defense against Julio Cesar Gonzalez. It will be interesting to see what lasting effects that brutal fight has had on the champion.
This will be Woods' second fight in the states, and he is hoping to gain credibility and authenticity against the well-respected Tarver. No one is really sure whether Woods is a great fighter or a paper champion, and when the blood has cleared saturday night, everyone should know who Clinton Woods is and what he really brings to the table. Woods is hoping a victory could lead to a scrap with Joe Calzaghe on their home turf, in what would be a huge box-office draw. Showtime is anticipating this fight will lead to a unification showdown between the two winners, and then a possible super-fight with the winner of the upcoming Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe contest.
