JOHNSON

MIAMI, Florida (CMC):

JAMAICA'S FORMER world light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson is incensed by recent comments by Clinton Woods and predicts a huge win when they meet for the Briton's International Boxing Federation (IBF) title on Saturday.

The bout will take place at the Reebok Centre in Lancashire, England, and Johnson says he now has added motivation to win impressively after comments by Woods that he will beat the Miami-based Jamaican by knockout.

"Clinton has given me the inspiration because he is saying he is going to knock me out," Johnson said.

The two have met twice before with the first bout ending in a draw in November 2003, and the second - three months later - in a clear points win for Johnson, who is now disturbed that Woods is not showing the respect he believes he should.

"I fought the guy two times and he never came close to ever knocking me out. I am really going to punish this guy," Johnson said. "I am going to punish him and I am going to take pleasure in it," Johnson added.

Home advantage

Home advantage for Woods was never a factor in the previous bouts - both also staged in Britain - but Johnson is on guard for any judges' favouritism going to the home fighter.

"I am always going to be wary about the (score) cards, I am all too familiar with that. I will try to end the night in a knockout," Johnson said.

"I am not taking anything for granted and I am not taking any prisoners. I am going to punish this guy but I am not going to do anything stupid, I will wait for the opportunity," added the 37-year-old Johnson.

Since beating Woods for the vacant IBF title in February 2004, Johnson relinquished the belt and Woods won it by defeating the highly-rated American Rico Hoye.

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.