Glen Johnson, IBO light heavyweight champion. - File

BOLTON, England (CMC):

Britain's International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight Clinton Woods weighed in yesterday evening three pounds heavier than Jamaican challenger Glen Johnson for their title fight tonight.

The 34-year-old Woods had to strip to his underpants, but he successfully made the 175-pound limit, coming in at exactly 175 pounds for their clash at the Reebok Centre.

Johnson, 37, was well inside the limit at 172 pounds and vowed that he is in the "best shape" of his life

This is the third meeting between the two boxers and the first time that Woods comes in as the heavier fighter.

Battled to draw

The two battled to a draw in November 2003 and Johnson out-pointed Woods in a rematch three months later to claim the IBF title.

For their first meeting, Johnson was 174 pounds, slightly heavier than Woods (173-3/4) and for their February 2005 return bout, Johnson was 174-3/4 pounds, again marginally heavier than Woods (174).

Johnson has a ring record of 44 wins (29 knockouts) against 10 losses and two draws, and Woods has 39 wins (24 knockouts) against three losses.

After beating Woods two and a half years ago, Johnson relinquished the IBF belt for a non-title multimillion dollar super fight against American Antonio Tarver.

He beat Tarver in December 2004 but lost a rematch to the American in June last year and was left without a major world title. It is widely accepted that Woods has improved significantly since Johnson beat him, but the Florida-based Jamaican is not troubled about facing a tougher Woods. "Whether Clinton has improved or not does not bother me," Johnson told reporters this week. "He has yet to beat me and my boxing skills are still strong," Johnson added.

Following his loss to Johnson, Woods went on to impressively stop previously undefeated American Rico Hoye - on a fifth round technical knockout - to capture the vacant IBF belt in March last year and successfully defended it against Julio Gonzalez and Jason Delisle.

Johnson's last outing came in February when he beat Jamaican Richard Hall in Florida.

A favourite

Most fans consider Johnson a favourite for the 12-round contest, but Woods is confident and anxious to take the opportunity to prove his worth.

"I know I am number one in the world, but everybody is still talking about Johnson being the best," Woods said.

"When I win on Saturday, people should be saying that about me - but I bet they don't," he added. Johnson was crowned 2004 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) for his huge triumphs during the year over Woods and Tarver. The Ring Magazine, considered the 'bible' of boxing publications, also honoured Johnson as its 2004 'Boxer of the Year'.