With the IBF Light Heavyweight title
showdown between Clinton Woods and Antonio Tarver just around
the corner, I realized that this is a world title fight with a
difference. The challenger is a lot more well known than the
champion. While it is not the first time this scenario has
happened and you could understand this being the case in
America, it is also a similar story in Woods' home country of
England. While well known stars Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe
get their fair share of media coverage in the British
tabloids, Sheffield's Clinton Woods just quietly goes about
his business without too much being written about him.
The champ has fought some very
formidable foes along the way with big names such as Roy Jones
Jr. and Glen Johnson, the latter being the reason he is the
champion in the first place, so it can't be argued that this
is due to the caliber of opponent he has faced. One thing is
for certain though, his opponent has no such anonymity. Tarver
will be well recognized all over the world by boxing fans and
movie goers alike thanks to his appearance as Rocky Balboa's
latest opponent, Mason Dixon, in the newest chapter of the
popular movie series.
Tarver himself has fought his fair share
of big names taking the title away from the seemingly
invincible Roy Jones Jr, having two fights against Glen
Johnson and more recently losing to Bernard "The Executioner"
Hopkins. Between the two of them they have fought anyone there
is to fight in this division and it promises to be a
fascinating contest. Will Woods finally get the respect he
deserves or will Tarver pick up where he left off and re-claim
the title he once held? We won't have to wait long to find
out...
