VALENTINE’S day is the new date set for the Clinton Woods v Elvir Muriqi world title eliminator – but no love will be lost between its challengers.
Cupid’s bow will instead be dealing crushing blows as both fight ferociously for the chance to usurp Chad Dawson’s IBF light heavyweight belt on Saturday 14 February.
Promoter Dennis Hobson has secured a lucrative TV deal with ITV which will see the much-anticipated bout – the biggest Jersey is ever likely to see – broadcast digitally across the world. ‘This is the biggest boxing event that has ever been held in Jersey,’ he said. ‘The last fight we held was spectacular, but this is another level.’
Former world champion light heavyweight Woods is aiming to win back his title – a defeat of Muriqi would put him second in the IBF rankings, and with current title-holder Dawson likely to relinquish his belt to chase a big-money bout with Calzaghe or Hopkins, the stage would be set for a world title fight.
• Picture: Clinton Woods dons gangster garb to promote the St Valentine’s Day bout with New York’s Muriqi. Picture: Paul by David Drabble
