Clinton Woods Stops Australian Jason DeLisle
Clinton Woods v Jason DeLisle
In a rematch of their eliminator contest in 2004, Woods was never in danger as he continued his excellent form at Ponds Forge in his Sheffield home town.
Serving as the chief TV support to Ricky Hatton’s welterweight contest with Luis Collazo in Boston, 34-year-old Woods put on a high-octane show of his own in the Steel City as he outclassed the plucky DeLisle.
In his second defence since claiming the vacant IBF title against Rico Hoye last year, Woods showed no signs of ring rust from eight months spent out of the ring and asserted his authority from the first bell.
DeLisle made a busy start but Woods kept him at bay using stiff jabs and straight rights which consistently found their targets.
Woods expertly upped the tempo in the second round and his perfectly-picked punches rocked DeLisle for the first time as he found success with left hooks and uppercuts at close-range.
The Yorkshireman was less dominant in the third but remained in control as DeLisle tried to find a way into the contest.
The Australian continued to enjoy success against Woods’ sometimes lax defence, though the champion remained unbowed.
Woods laboured in the fifth as DeLisle took the fight to him but the crowd favourite’s superior punch accuracy kept him in control.
The sixth round had been going a similar way but a stunning right uppercut left DeLisle reeling.
The powerful shot forced DeLisle on to the ropes and as Woods rained heavy blows, with little coming back from the game challenger, referee Dave Parris was left with little option but to wave off the fight.
Woods admitted there was room for improvement but was more than satisfied with his victory.
He told Sky Box Office: “I got the win, I got the stoppage I said I would get.
“There were times when I seemed to go off the boil a little. But I felt I could pick the pace up when I wanted
“The right hooks were hurting him and I thought it was just a matter of time.”
Woods had a lot of success with his uppercut, which he revealed he had been concentrating on as he believed it would serve him well against this opponent.
“I’ve been doing that in training. I just lined him up and I’m surprised he didn’t go down with that,” said Woods.
“I’ve had eight months off and I thought I did it in style. There were little bits when I thought I tailed off. I’m a bit rung rusty – there is room for improvement.”
Woods’ promoter Dennis Hobson was not present at Ponds Forge, instead travelling to the United States with Hatton for his bout with Collazo.
However, the pair spoke in a link-up, Hobson saying: “You switched off because I’m not there to kick you up the backside!
“It’s a strange feeling not being there with you but I knew you would not let me down.”
