TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Woods Prefers To Let His Fists Do The Talking

ADVERTISEMENT

By EDDIE DANIELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 15, 2008

TAMPA - As far as Clinton Woods is concerned, he would rather fight than talk up his bouts. Traveling to hype a big fight is one thing, but the trash talk that typically ensues is another.

Last week, Tampa's Antonio Tarver traveled to London for the first of two news conferences to promote the Tarver-Woods fight, which will take place April 12 at the St. Pete Times Forum. Tarver will put up his IBO light heavyweight belt, while Woods' IBF title is up for grabs.

The second event was held two days later in Tampa. Both news conferences had their contentious moments, but Woods would rather settle it in the ring.

"I'm not a guy who enjoys all of this," Woods said of the pre-fight hype. "I enjoy fighting. I'm not really sure when it comes to mouthing and gobbing. ... I'm a fighter, that's what I like."

If anyone knows Tarver, they know he enjoys the fighting and the talking. Especially considering talk has arisen that Woods will fight Joe Calzaghe following the matchup against Tarver.

"Reading all the comments in the media, Woods is looking past April 12, setting dates with Calzaghe and Roy Jones," Tarver said. "In boxing, you know you can never look past an opponent that has the history that I have."

ROAD WORK: When Jeff Lacy wants to get away, he gets away. Monday, Lacy will board a plane to Arizona, where he will train until he gets back into the ring to fight. He hopes that will be in May.

"My last camp was in Tampa when I got ready for the Peter Manfredo Jr. fight. It's good to get away sometimes," Lacy said. "You get the sparks going, have everybody on the same page. It's a little bit tougher when you're in your hometown. Everybody is on the same page in the gym, but you go your separate ways, you know? Being that you're home, you're not sleeping, eating, thinking boxing. Everything isn't about boxing."

He says he might break camp a couple of times, but for now, he is all about the desert.

TWO AND OH PRO: In the amateur ranks, Clearwater's Keith Thurman was well known for his power. So much so that people began to say he would make a better pro than an amateur. No knock against him, but the point system wasn't made for his body ripping, head-popping style.

So far, so good. He is 2-0, knocking out both opponents in the opening round. He will hit the ring again March 14 at the A La Carte Event Pavilion.

"It's different, the pros," Thurman said. "It feels like there's a little more freedom. I can be me, do what I want to do, take my time. I feel more relaxed. In fact, I feel like I'm at home.

"In the amateurs, they always said I had a pro style and I'd be a great pro fighter. Some people would say I wasn't really fit for the amateurs, but hey, I'm just trying to hit you more than you hit me, and I've gotten pretty far doing it that way."

MMA: Three-time Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion Rich Franklin will be at The Fighter Warehouse, 3943 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa on Saturday at 1 p.m. For information, call (813) 333-0639.

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT