Poxon has no worries about Woods

Richard Poxon has only know good times as the trainer of Clinton Woods. So it is no surprise that he has few doubts that Woods will make a fifth successful defence of his IBF light-heavyweight title against Antonio Tarver, in Tampa, on Saturday.

Tarver, 39, is favourite and boxing in his home town, but Poxon is confident. "You cannot ignore Tarver's pedigree, he was world No 1 as an amateur, but if Tarver wasn't a southpaw, I wouldn't lose any sleep on this," Poxon said. "The question with Tarver is heart and desire and that's just what Clinton is."

It took Woods four attempts to win a world title, beating Rico Hoye for the vacant IBF title after losing to Roy Jones Jr and then drawing and losing to Glen Johnson. Poxon believs he has found the key to what makes Woods, 35, tick.

"Belief has been a big thing with Clinton," Poxon said. "Clinton is all about self-belief and character. I took over his training after he lost to Johnson and he said the biggest thing I gave him was self-belief.

"What he's achieved is fantastic and he's done it without any fanfare, without any arrogance. He's done it the right way, not because of the money but because he wants to be No 1."

Woods v Tarver, Setanta Sports 1, live from 2am Sunday