By Ben Dirs

Clinton Woods says he is fitter and hungrier than ever ahead of his IBF light-heavyweight defence against Antonio Tarver on Saturday.

Sheffield's Woods, who faces Tarver in his hometown of Tampa, Florida, weighed in bang on the 175lb limit, with Tarver at 173-and-three-quarter pounds.

Woods said: "I have hit the weight just as I knew I would, and I cannot wait to get in the ring and do my job."

Nevertheless he expects the American to be his toughest opponent yet.

Clinton Woods - punching guide

"He's cagey and he's got everything really," Woods told BBC Sport.

"He's definitely my toughest opponent, but I'm hungrier than ever, in tip-top shape and I'm not giving up my title."

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News conference: Clinton Woods and Antonio Tarver

Woods's only previous fight on American soil was in 2002, when he was stopped inside six rounds by the legendary Roy Jones Jr.

But the 35-year-old, who won a world title at his fourth attempt in 2005, said he learnt from the experience and is a much-improved fighter now.

"Even though I was 30 when I fought Roy Jones, I was still a baby really," said Woods.

"But it was a great experience when I went over there and it will put me in good stead when I go over to fight Tarver.

"This is the fight I've been waiting for. Even though Roy Jones was massive fight, this is the fight that will get me up there and if I can get past Tarver I'll be onto super-fights.

"This is the biggest fight of my career. When I fought Jones, I didn't come with a title. This time I'm defending my own title. On Saturday it will go down as my greatest victory."

I've watched Tarver's last two fights and he looked fresh. I think he's back to his best Clinton Woods

Tarver, 39, is a former undisputed champion with two wins over Jones on his record, including a sensational second-round stoppage in 2004.

However, he is better known to many as Rocky Balboa's opponent in the latest instalment of Sylvester Stallone's film franchise, and blamed his defeat to Bernard Hopkins in 2006 on having to lose weight so quickly following filming.

Tarver has only fought twice since, winning both bouts, but Woods believes Tarver will on top form in front of his home fans at the St Pete Times Forum.

"Maybe he's a little bit cocky and a bit lazy sometimes and maybe he won't expect much coming from me," said Woods, who has made four defences of his title to date.

606: DEBATE Do you think its going to be anything than a 12-rounder on Saturday? RHPWHP

"I've watched his last two fights and he looked fresh, he looked back to his old self. I think he's back to his best.

"There's obviously nerves there, a fear. I'm fighting a great puncher, a great fighter in Antonio Tarver. But that's what I relish, I relish fighting with fear."

Also on the Tampa bill is a clash between Glen Johnson and America's Chad Dawson for the WBC light-heavyweight crown.