Glen Johnson - file

GORDON WILLIAMS, Contributor

Glen Johnson's commanding win Wednesday night has put the Jamaican-born boxer in prime position for another shot at retaining his world light heavyweight title.

Johnson dominated Montel Griffin in their title elimination bout at the Hard Rock Casino in the United States before the American's handlers signalled to referee Jorge Alonso their bleeding fighter had taken enough punishment with less than 30 seconds to go in the 11th round.

The impressive technical knockout gave the 38-year-old Johnson his 45th win, against 11 losses and two draws. It also set him up as the mandatory challenger for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title currently held by Britain's Clinton Woods.

The U.S.-based Johnson has fought Woods three times before, drawing, winning, and losing. But he believes he won all three, including last September's clash when Woods retained the IBF title with a controversial split decision in England. Now the Jamaican is relishing a fourth and final showdown.

"I certainly believe this fight should be it," Johnson said yesterday of the upcoming title shot. "This guy (Woods) is the only guy I feel I've been ripped off by twice. I'm looking forward to getting back into the ring with him ... to breaking him down."

On Wednesday, Johnson constantly pressed forward, scoring heavily with jabs, chopping right hands and body shots in a bout featuring contrasting styles - Griffin's bobbing and weaving against the Jamaican's unrelenting advances in the scheduled 12-rounder. Johnson, who landed almost twice as many punches as Griffin, described the American as "a very complicated fighter because of the way he ducks down." He also praised Griffin's power.

"He can punch," said Johnson. " ... He caught me with an uppercut that stung."

Woods is set to defend his title next month against Mexican Julio Gonzalez in the U.S. While the winner's first title defence must be against Johnson, the Jamaican's manager Henry Foster said his fighter will be looking for other bouts to stay in tune. He hopes to have Johnson back in the ring by July or August, and again soon after. Possible opponents are former world champions Roy Jones Jr., who Johnson once knocked out, and Reggie Johnson. The Jamaican is all for that plan.

"Until the title shot comes along I just can't sit around and get rusty," said Johnson, who plans to resume training in about two weeks.

Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.