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Curtis Woodhouse

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Woodhouse set to land final blow

Rushden & Diamonds skipper Curtis Woodhouse could leave the Diamonds earlier then expected after he won his ninth successive fight as a professional boxer.

The former Birmingham City midfielder is eager to focus on a career as a professional fighter and showdown talks with the Nene Park club are now imminent.

The 28-year-old planned to quit football at the end of the Blue Square Premier season, but is now likely to move those plans forward.

He told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo: "I will be speaking to Garry Hill over the next couple of days.

"My future at Diamonds is not sure. I've been told I'm surplus to requirements.

"But I won't be leaving just because they want me out.

"We are going to need to come to a financial agreement, otherwise I will stay to the end of my contract.

"If we can come to an agreement then we will shake hands and go our separate ways."

The former England youth International has not been part of Gary Hill's squad for the last two games as he chose to focus on his fight in Yorkshire at the weekend when the welterweight claimed a stoppage victory over Peter Dunn after 23 seconds of the sixth and final round.

He added: "It was a brilliant night and probably my best performance so far.

"It went really well as that was the first time he has been stopped in eight years.

"He's a tough kid and my hands are bruised from hitting him so hard.

"He wasn't budging but I finally broke him down. The referee jumped in not a minute too soon.

"It was ideal because every time I would choose to get five or six rounds under my belt.

"So it worked out perfectly because I haven't had any amateur experience and I need time in the ring.

"I got caught with a few shots and couldn't see for an hour after the fight due to blurred vision.

"I'm hoping to fight again in January, February, March and April before looking to a title bout in the summer. It's a busy time."