Boxing

Clinton Woods has retained his IBF light heavyweight title in front of home fans at the Arena in Sheffield.

Woods defeated the highly rated Mexican Julio Gonzalez in a comfortable points win after 12 rounds of boxing.

The 33-year-old came through the contest unscathed against one of the toughest contenders in his weight division.

"It were a tough fight, I felt although I couldn't get my punches off, he were very awkward and kept slipping to one side," said Woods.

Woods has a big money fight in his sights

"I felt as though I was winning the fight - he never hurt me with any shots, the ring surface was terrible, I tripped over a couple of times - I didn't feel that comfortable in there tonight to tell you the truth.

"I felt as though I had to dig in I couldn't really get my shots off fluently, against Rico Hoye I could get my shots off, against this guy I couldn't... I just felt I was physically stronger than him.

"He was very, very durable - I hit him with one shot, a right hook and I thought I'd got him - it were though he was gonna go down, I hit him with another shot and he came back with a big right hand over the top [laughs]...

"Nobody wants to fight that guy - I had to fight him and I'm glad he's on my record 'cause it's a great name to have on my record - he beat the guy who beat me (Glenncoffe).

Promoter Dennis Hobson, who looks to have signed up Ricky 'the hitman' Hatton was delighted at the result:

Woods was very grateful for the support from the home crowd at the Arena and is looking forward to bigger events in Sheffield:

"The support was fantastic and there will be bigger night's in Sheffield now and Sheffield's got a great crop of boxers now, there must be 20 or 30 top boxers in Sheffield now and that's fantastic.

"There are world champions, European champions and I just want to get this place full next time and It'll be a fantastic night.

"The next fight is hospital now [laughs], the wife's expecting in the next couple of weeks so that's the next thing on the agenda, but we'll be negotiating now with the winner out of Jones or Tarver, and I think against those guys I'll box better, those guys I'll look good against."