By Ben Dirs

Antonio Tarver admits he will have his work cut out when he fights Sheffield's Clinton Woods for the IBF light-heavyweight title on Saturday.

But the challenger expects to win in his home town of Tampa and believes he can be undisputed champion again.

"I'm not expecting him to lay down," Tarver told BBC Sport.

"I suspect this fight could be right up there with the best fights of the year. But once I take care of business, I'm a step closer to unifying the division."

Clinton Woods - boxing defence

Southpaw Tarver claimed the undisputed 175lb crown with a knockout of the great Roy Jones Jr in 2004 before beating him again the following year.

Anybody that wants to do business in the light-heavyweight division, they've got to come and see me Antonio Tarver

He then starred opposite Sylvester Stallone in the film Rocky VI, but was easily outpointed by Bernard Hopkins on his return to the day job in 2006, a defeat he puts down to losing weight too quickly.

"Maybe we rushed into that fight," said Tarver, who has 26 wins and 19 knockouts from 30 fights.

"I had to lose a significant amount of weight and Hopkins came and did what he had to do.

"Everybody that witnessed the fight knew I was not even a shell of myself. Bernard Hopkins won the fight, but on my worst night I was able to stay in there for 12 rounds."

The 39-year-old, who has won his two fights since the Hopkins defeat, also rubbished suggestions that his best days are behind him.

"I've taken care of myself. I don't see a lot of people my age walking around with the energy that I have," said Tarver, who won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics.

"I started late with this boxing game. I didn't turn pro until I was 27, so I'm still young. I've only had 30 fights while every opponent I face has had 40 or 50 fights.

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

"I just took the right fights. I didn't have 25 fights just to get my record built up, I went out there and fought the best."

And while Tarver acknowledged the 35-year-old Woods has improved since his world title defeat to Jones Jr in 2002, when the Sheffield boxer was dismantled in six rounds, he vowed he would not be beaten in his own back-yard.

"I'm passionate about this fight, it's in my hometown. This man is coming all the way from England to take something that is rightfully mine," said Tarver.

"But my whole thing is this: what I'm thriving on right now are the guys that are holding the armour. I want all three, all four of those belts around my waist.

"Anybody that wants to do business in the light-heavyweight division, they've got to come and see me. That's the position and power I want."