Boxing Brief: Woods decisions Johnson
Will the division unify the belts? Is Woods the leading man?
By JE Grant
With the settling of the score in the Clinton Woods - Glen Johnson trilogy, the light-heavyweights, were they so inclined, could clear up the considerable muddle in determining the real champion.
France’s WBA titlist Fabrice Tiozzo, a former cruiserweight belt-holder, last defended in February 2005 against Dariusz Michalczewski. Since that time he has fought only once, in a non-title fight, weighing a whopping 195.
The exciting and undefeated WBC belt-holder, Thomasz Adamek, is scheduled to defend his belt for the third time in a rematch with Paul Briggs. Their first meeting was widely lauded by those in attendance. Unfortunately it was a bout on the Lamon Brewster – Andrew Golota undercard and was not televised. If the rematch can live up to the original, Adamek may draw legions of fans not only in his native Poland but worldwide.
Hungarian Zsolt Erdei, the WBO titlist who some say is the true lineal champ (a dubious claim -- see my previous article discussing the division's lineage), is an exciting undefeated battler himself. He recently defended his belt for the sixth time with a decision over tough German Thomas Ulrich.
Woods clearly put himself ahead of the pack by surpassing the sturdy and accomplished Johnson. He may go on to clear the decks of the old order (Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones) or could surge ahead against fellow belt-holders.
Any combination of the four titlists above would prove interesting and would go a long way in clearing the way for an eventual unified champion to become a superstar. Moreover, unless the true champion Bernard Hopkins decides to return, the fighters need not leave the confines of Europe to achieve this feat.
By JE Grant
With the settling of the score in the Clinton Woods - Glen Johnson trilogy, the light-heavyweights, were they so inclined, could clear up the considerable muddle in determining the real champion.
France’s WBA titlist Fabrice Tiozzo, a former cruiserweight belt-holder, last defended in February 2005 against Dariusz Michalczewski. Since that time he has fought only once, in a non-title fight, weighing a whopping 195.
The exciting and undefeated WBC belt-holder, Thomasz Adamek, is scheduled to defend his belt for the third time in a rematch with Paul Briggs. Their first meeting was widely lauded by those in attendance. Unfortunately it was a bout on the Lamon Brewster – Andrew Golota undercard and was not televised. If the rematch can live up to the original, Adamek may draw legions of fans not only in his native Poland but worldwide.
Hungarian Zsolt Erdei, the WBO titlist who some say is the true lineal champ (a dubious claim -- see my previous article discussing the division's lineage), is an exciting undefeated battler himself. He recently defended his belt for the sixth time with a decision over tough German Thomas Ulrich.
Woods clearly put himself ahead of the pack by surpassing the sturdy and accomplished Johnson. He may go on to clear the decks of the old order (Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones) or could surge ahead against fellow belt-holders.
Any combination of the four titlists above would prove interesting and would go a long way in clearing the way for an eventual unified champion to become a superstar. Moreover, unless the true champion Bernard Hopkins decides to return, the fighters need not leave the confines of Europe to achieve this feat.
posted by JE Boxing at Saturday, September 02, 2006
5 Comments:
Well, well, well. What do you think now bloke?
Well, our walking alphabet billboard/poster boy may or may not have (legitimately) won by the skin of his teeth here, but fine work J.E...Yes...You did indeed steer the ol vessel in the right direction indeed...;-)
I sure wish these guys could score more KOs. So many decisions nowdays are unsatisfying.
I just saw this fight, and it was indeed close. I had Johnson by a slight margin, but it was definetly no 'robbery'. Mt pre-fight inkling seemed to be correct, as Woods seemed a few years better, and Johnson a few years older. Close fight.
BTW- Agreed on the "lineal" bit. Unfortunately, things have been so convuluted and "bastardized", that claim just doesn't hold much water.
* And once again...Look out for Young Chad Dawson, quite possibly the best lt.hvy on the planet as we speak.
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