Woods is to undergo blood tests for meningitis (Getty)

Promoter Dennis Hobson believes that Clinton Woods may have been suffering from a strain of meningitis during his world title defeat to Antonio Tarver.

Hobson has ordered a series of blood tests for Woods after one his friends, who travelled with him to Tampa for the fight, was diagnosed with the virus.

Woods was easily outpointed as he lost his IBF light-heavyweight title.

Hobson told BBC Radio Sheffield: "Even if he hadn't had the full blown virus, he could have had some sort of effect."

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Woods's defeat

Hobson is waiting for the results with interest as a virus would explain the Sheffield fighter's lethargic performance in Florida.

"It gets your mind boggling, has it had an affect? You don't know if Clinton has had a milder version of this virus," said Hobson.