By Mark Vester

According to the Tampa Tribune, IBF light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods (41-3-1, 24KOs) has agreed to fight IBO champion Antonio Tarver (26-4, 19KOs) at the St. Pete Times Forum on April 12.

The fight will mark Woods' first bout in America since a 2002 knockout loss to Roy Jones Jr. Tarver faces his toughest opponent since Bernard Hopkins, who dominated him in 2006.

When it comes to a Tarver bout, nothing is a done deal until the contracts are signed. Tarver was supposed to fight Jeff Lacy in a Floridian grudge match, but Lacy refused to take the fight due to his former promoter, Gary Shaw, being involved with the show. Prior to Lacy, Tarver had a bout scheduled against Danny Green, who then pulled out to challenge and beat Stipe Drews for the WBA light heavyweight.

The Showtime televised card will feature an undercard bout between WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (25-0, 17KOs) and former champion Glen Johnson (47-11-2, 32KOs).

The winners of both light heavyweight bouts are going fight at a later date in the year. If Woods beats Tarver, and he stands a decent chance of pulling it off, he's probably going to target a rematch with the recently rejuvenated Roy Jones Jr.

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com