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Page last updated at 11:07 GMT, Monday, 14 July 2008 12:07 UK

Rejuvenated Woods changes trainer

Clinton Woods
Woods is aiming to win back the IBF world title

Sheffield's former light-heavyweight world champion Clinton Woods has changed his gym and trainer in a bid to reignite his career.

The 36-year-old lost his IBF crown to American Antonio Tarver in Tampa, Florida in April.

But Woods told BBC Radio Sheffield he is confident the changes will help him regain his world crown.

"I've got the bug back," said Woods. "I had five weeks feeling sorry for myself but now I am hungry again."

Following his defeat to Tarver, Woods decided to split from former trainer Richard Poxon, who is based at the Fight Academy gym in Sheffield, and has now moved to Hillsborough to link up with experienced cornerman Glyn Rhodes.

The changing room was like a graveyard and Glyn said a few words that picked me up on the night

Clinton Woods
Woods added: "I feel as though I have got something to prove, there are new kids watching and I am the oldest here so they are pushing me all the time.

"I let myself down in the last fight and I didn't do what I usually do, a few things in training didn't go right and that is why I have changed.

"Sometimes you need to do something different just to get yourself going again."

And Woods said it was a conversation with Rhodes after the fight with Tarver that convinced him to continue boxing.

"The changing room was like a graveyard and Glyn came up to me and said a few words that picked me up on the night," said Woods.

"He explained he was proud of me and he thought I would win the title again, those few words picked me up and helped me decide I wanted to have another go, but this time with him in my corner.

"I feel like I can enjoy my boxing, something I haven't done for a while."

see also
Tarver targets Calzaghe contest
21 Apr 08 |  Boxing


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