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Clinton Woods retains his IBF light-heavyweight title

Clinton Woods survived a ninth-round battering to win a split decision over Glencoffe Johnson and hold on to his IBF light-heavyweight title on Saturday.

A former world champion at the weight, the 37-year-old Johnson appeared on course to win the title in their third meeting when he landed a big right hand followed by two left hooks in the ninth with Woods firing very little in reply.

But the American failed to put down Woods in a thrilling contest that had no knockdowns, and the British fighter came back with three strong rounds to take the verdict for his third successful defense.

Judge Mickey Vann gave it 115-113 to Johnson but Richard Bays scored it 115-112 and Roberto Ramirez 116-112 to the champion, who captured his 40th victory against three losses and a draw.

Johnson is 44-11-2.

The two fought to a draw the first time they met for the vacant title in November 2003, and Johnson won a unanimous decision three months later to capture the crown, which he later relinquished.

Now Woods is even.

"He hit me with some massive shots in that round," Woods said. "I don't know if it's just Johnson who maybe brings out the worst in me. He's so awkward when you fight against him. He's been a great champion."

"People don't know how much Johnson hurt me that second fight. I was very near to hanging my gloves up," he said.

Johnson is convinced he beat Woods again even though two of the judges disagreed.

"I truly believe I won the fight," Johnson said. "There were some close rounds in there. Clinton Woods won a couple of rounds but for the most part they were just close rounds."

On the same card, Souleymane Mbaye knocked Raul Balbi down twice before gaining a fourth-round TKO to capture the vacant WBA light-welterweight title.

The Frenchman overcame an injury above his right eye in the first round to outpunch the Argentine at the Bolton Arena.

He floored Balbi with a long-range right hand in the second round and put him down again early in the fourth with another right. Although Balbi got up again, he never recovered and referee Paul Thomas called an end to the fight with 46 seconds left in the round.

It was Mbaye's second attempt to win the title after having been beaten on points by Vivian Harris three years ago for his only loss. Mbaye's record is now 35-1, while Balbi has lost eight times against 54 triumphs.

MBaye hopes to line up a fight against former world champion Ricky Hatton.
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