21 years ago
Clinton Woods vs Glen Johnson II
Date: 6th February 2004
Venue: Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield United KingdomTitle: vacant IBF World Light-heavyweight Title
Promoter: Fight Academy
Referee: Dave Parris
Tv: BBC Sport
Clinton Woods
(
35
-
2
-
1
)
Weight: 174 lbs
Glen Johnson
(
39
-
9
-
2
)
Weight: 174 3/4 lbs
On February 6, 2004, Clinton Woods and Glen Johnson squared off for the second time at the Ponds Forge Arena in Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. This rematch came just three months after their first encounter, which had ended in a controversial draw. The vacant IBF World Light-heavyweight Title was once again at stake, with both fighters eager to claim the championship belt.
The fight proved to be a closely contested affair, with Johnson ultimately emerging victorious via a unanimous decision. The judges' scorecards reflected the competitive nature of the bout, with Ric Bays scoring it 116-112, while both Ian John-Lewis and Hilton Whitaker Jr. had it slightly closer at 115-113, all in favour of Johnson.
This victory was a significant milestone for Johnson, who had previously fallen short in world title attempts against notable champions such as Bernard Hopkins for the IBF middleweight title and Sven Ottke for the IBF super-middleweight crown. At 35 years old, the Jamaican-born fighter, known as "The Road Warrior" for his willingness to fight anywhere, finally realized his dream of becoming a world champion.
The fight was promoted by Fight Academy and televised on BBC Sport, bringing significant attention to the light-heavyweight division. Referee Dave Parris oversaw the action in the ring, ensuring a fair contest between the two experienced pugilists. Woods, fighting in his hometown, entered the bout with a record of 35 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, while Johnson's ledger stood at 39 victories, 9 defeats, and 2 draws.
This victory marked a turning point in the rivalry between Woods and Johnson. Their first encounter in November 2003 had ended in a draw, leaving many questions unanswered. The rematch settled the score and set the stage for a third meeting between these evenly matched competitors, which would take place in September 2006.