Clinton Woods Retains Title Over Julio Gonzalez
Clinto Woods v Julio Gonzalez
However, the popular Sheffield fighter was forced to produce a late rally in his home town to earn a unanimous points decision over the dangerous Mexican challenger.
Woods won the world title at the fourth attempt with an explosive stoppage of Rico Hoye to claim the vacant crown in March.
He described the fight as the highlight of his career but admitted he had not hit top form.
“It was the win of my career but I don’t think it was the best I have boxed,” he told Sky Sports.
“I’m glad I got past him because he makes good fighters look bad.
“I felt in control, especially in the second half of the fight.
“He was a very tough fighter. He kept banging body shots in but I felt in control and he never caught me with a head shot.
“I feel so strong. That guy is supposed to be the toughest and strongest light-heavy in the world but I felt stronger than him.”
Gonzalez showed no signs of being intimidated as he walked the Yorkshireman down from the opening bell, consistently coming forward as Woods attempted to find his range.
Woods continued to try to out-box the game challenger and wobbled the Mexican with a left upper-cut early in the second, yet Gonzalez was still keen to attack.
In the middle rounds Woods began to produce more accuracy yet found himself soaking up strong counters with increasing regularity, though Gonzalez began to adopt a less gung-ho approach.
As the fight wore on Woods was forced to up his work rate as Gonzalez retained his composure.
As Gonzalez exerted more caution Woods continued to up the tempo and caught the game Mexican with increasing regularity.
A frantic 10th round saw Woods catch the challenger with short bursts but fail to capitalise on his success as Gonzalez took everything he had.
Both men raised their arms claiming victory at the final bell but neither could claim any certainty about the result despite Woods being given the decision by generous scores of 117-111 118-112 116-112 to make a successful – if fraught – first defence of his beloved world title.
