by Sean McDaniel: Recently retired former International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods (42-5-1, 24 KO’s) says he would make a comeback for a fight against either Roy Jones Jr. (54-7, 40 KO’s) or Glen Johnson (50-14-2, 34 KO’s), both of which are 41-years-old and both previously beat Woods. In his last fight in August 2009, Woods was soundly beaten by Tavoris Cloud by a 12 round decision. For Woods, that was his 2nd loss in his last two fights and he decided to hang up the gloves. Now 38, Woods is getting that comeback itch, and it’s Jones and Johnson that he’s targeting.

Speaking to thestar.co.uk, Woods said There are only two fighters I’d come back to face. One is Roy Jones, the other Glen Johnson, who I beat, I lost to and drew against. Jones beat me when he was in his prime and I had not peaked, so that’s why I lost there. He may have boxed this year but he looked an old man to me. He suffered a first round knock out against a rugged Australian [Danny Green] and I know I’d beat him this time.”

It’s sad that Woods is interested in fighting Jones, as shot as he’s looked in his last two fights. Beating Jones now wouldn’t prove a thing, other than it proving that Woods can beat a guy that has no business fighting anymore. Woods lost to Jones in 2002, which was Jones at the tail end of his prime years. I wouldn’t exactly call that Jones best years, because Jones was a lot better between 1993 to 1998. By 2002, Jones had slowed and was more hittable. Woods would have been beaten in 2002 even if he was in his prime. I think he’s kidding himself if he thinks he would have competed against a prime Jones. I think Woods would have been handled by guys like Antonio Tarver, and he’s not in the same league as a prime Jones.

Woods says “I know what I’d want in money, and if the event was to get backing from the television, British or American, then it could be made possible quite quickly.” I highly doubt a fight between Jones would get any backing in America. Jones has looked terrible in his last couple of bouts, and for a fight against someone like Woods, who has two out of his last three bouts and hasn’t fought in over a year. What’s the point and who would be interested in that fight?