By Terence Dooley
Promoter Dennis Hobson has said that he will help Clinton Woods rebuild should the Sheffield light-heavyweight decide to continue his boxing career. Woods, 37, took some huge shots in losing to Tavoris Cloud last Friday night, leading Hobson to conclude that his man was done and dusted.
However, Hobson now feels that the decision to continue or quit lies with Woods, news of an ear infection suffered by Woods in the week prior to the fight has put a different slant on things, Dennis told The Star that he will stand by Woods' decision, whatever it may be.
“I wasn't sure myself on whether Clinton should retire or not - and I am even more confused now it appears the infection could have played a role in the fight with Cloud,” claimed Hobson.
“At times Clinton was schooling Cloud but then when he needed another gear, it wasn't there. Was the infection the reason why he couldn't find the extra firepower? We may never know.”
Hobson is more than a promoter to Woods, the two are close friends; consequently, those final few rounds were almost as tough on Dennis as they were on Clinton.
“Clinton took some horrible shots and I was ready to throw the towel in around the 10th, but Clinton is unbelievably tough,” he said.
“We have been together 16 years now and I was a bit emotional thinking we had come to the end of a long road. He has already said he'd love to fight Cloud again. But few people know how hard it is to get your man in a world title fight. I worked the oracle to get this one. Whatever he decides to do - and I don't think he knows himself yet - I will support him.”
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