By Mark Vester
IBF light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods has been waiting to get Antonio Tarver in the ring for years. The wait is finally over. Woods will travel to America to challenge Tarver in his backyard of Florida on April 12. Showtime will televise the event with Chad Dawson defending the WBC's version of the light heavyweight crown against Glen Johnson in the co-feature.
Speaking with ITN, Woods promised to go through Tarver and then focus his attention on hometown rival Joe Calzaghe.
"It is a fight I have been longing for," Woods said. "He told me he would beat me years ago. Well, now he has got the chance. He can't run any longer because the deal has been made. It is smell-the-coffee time and he is going to find out the hard way what a thorough beating is all about. If Joe Calzaghe gets past 'granddad' Hopkins the week after I make mincemeat of Tarver, he can come looking for me. I'm ready for Calzaghe any time and any place and he knows it."
Woods said Tarver can beat movie characters like Rocky, but he won't beat him.
"Tarver may have beaten Rocky Balboa but he won't get past me," Woods said.
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com
