Michael Watson

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Michael Watson
MBE
Michael Watson.jpg
Watson in 2008
Born (1965-03-15) 15 March 1965 (age 60)
London, England
NationalityBritish
Other namesThe Force [1]
Statistics
Weight(s)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights30
Wins25
Wins by KO21
Losses4
Draws1

Michael Watson MBE (born 15 March 1965) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 1991. He held the Commonwealth middleweight title from 1989 to 1991, and challenged three times for a world title between 1990 and 1991. Watson's career was cut short as a result of a near-fatal injury sustained during a loss to Chris Eubank for the WBO super-middleweight title in 1991. [2]

Contents

Amateur career

Watson took up boxing at the age of fourteen at the Crown and Manor boxing club, [3] where he proved to be a quick learner, winning an under-71 kg London Schools title in 1980.

He had an impressive 20–2 record at the Crown and Manor Club. He transferred to the Colvestone Boxing Club where he trained and sparred for over a year with Kirkland Laing, Dennis Andries, and Darren Dyer. He entered the 1983/84 Nationals at under 75 kg and won the title. On his 19th birthday he fought John Beckles during the 1984 London ABAs, both being national champions. Watson, initially seen as the underdog, won the fight in just over 30 seconds, and was seen as a hope for a boxing medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. However, that place on the Olympic team was taken by Liverpool's Brian Schumacher.

Professional career

Watson's professional career lasted from 1984 to 1991. The highlight was his May 1989 victory over Nigel Benn to secure the British Commonwealth middleweight title. This led to a world title clash with Jamaican Mike McCallum, who defeated Watson by a knockout in the eleventh round.

On 22 June 1991 at Earl's Court, he met Chris Eubank in another opportunity for the world middleweight title. Eubank won by a majority decision of 116–113, 115–113 and 114–114, close enough to incur dissent from some commentators and supporters. [4]

Rematch with Eubank and career-ending injury

A rematch was arranged on 21 September 1991 at White Hart Lane, this time for the vacant WBO super middleweight title. In round 11, with Watson ahead on points and seemingly on the verge of a stoppage victory, he knocked Eubank down with an overhand right. Moments later, Eubank was back on his feet and connected with a devastating uppercut, which caused Watson to fall back and hit the back of his head against the ropes.

Referee Roy Francis stopped the fight in round 12, after which Watson collapsed in the ring. There was no ambulance or paramedic at the event. [2] Doctors wearing dinner jackets arrived but only after more than eight minutes had elapsed, during which time the fallen fighter received no oxygen. A total of 28 minutes elapsed before Watson received treatment in a hospital neurosurgical unit. [5] [6] He spent 40 days in a coma and had six brain operations to remove a blood clot. [7]

After regaining consciousness, he spent over a year in intensive care and rehabilitation and six more years confined to a wheelchair [2] while he slowly recovered some movement and regained the ability to speak and write. Peter Hamlyn, the consultant neurosurgeon who operated on Watson, said in 2010, "I think back to those first days, and the milestone moments. The first eight months were so depressing. He couldn't hear, couldn't speak, couldn't walk. Slowly, he clawed it all back. So extraordinary". [8]

Life after boxing

Watson sued the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) for negligence and won damages reputedly of around £1 million. [5] The High Court ruled that the BBBoC was responsible for medical provision at a fight and that administering oxygen and resuscitation on site would have made a considerable difference to Watson's outcome. Mr Justice Kennedy said that the board was "in breach of its duty to Mr Watson". [9] This decision was upheld at the Court of Appeal, and the BBBoC did not appeal to the House of Lords, selling their London headquarters to pay out a £400,000 compensation settlement. [10] The judge said that this was "sadly a long way short of the damages that [Watson] would have received had the defendants had the money or had they been insured". [11]

On 19 April 2003 Watson completed the London Marathon, walking two hours each morning and afternoon for six days. Raising money for the Brain and Spine Foundation, Watson slept overnight in a support bus. [12] Finishing the race by his side were Chris Eubank and his neurosurgeon Peter Hamlyn, both of whom had become his personal friends. [2] On 4 February 2004 Watson was awarded the MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to disability sport. [13] Watson was announced as a torchbearer in the 2012 Paralympic relay. [14]

In February 2017 Watson and his carer, Lennard Ballack, were victims of a carjacking in Chingford, London. [15] During the attack, Ballack had ammonia sprayed in his face and was beaten, whilst Watson was dragged along the road when the car was driven off, unable to escape. Watson suffered flashbacks and seizures after the event. The two attackers were later sentenced to 16 years in prison for their part in the attack and other crimes.

Watson's career-ending bout and the risk of boxing from Frank Bruno's career threatening (later proven career-ending) eye injury were documented on Four Kings mini documentary. He made an appearance for the final episode. He admitted that he has never resented Eubank for the injury.

Professional boxing record

30 fights25 wins4 losses
By knockout212
By decision42
Draws1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
30Loss25–4–1 Chris Eubank TKO12 (12), 0:2921 Sep 1991 White Hart Lane, London, EnglandFor vacant WBO super-middleweight title
29Loss25–3–1 Chris Eubank MD1222 Jun 1991 Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, EnglandFor WBO middleweight title
28Win25–2–1Anthony BrownKO1 (10)1 May 1991York Hall, London, England
27Win24–2–1Craig TrotterTKO6 (12)23 Jan 1991 Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, EnglandRetained Commonwealth middleweight title
26Win23–2–1 Errol Christie TKO3 (10) 18 Nov 1990 National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England
25Loss22–2–1 Mike McCallum KO11 (12), 2:2214 Apr 1990Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandFor WBA middleweight title
24Win22–1–1 Nigel Benn TKO6 (12), 1:3421 May 1989 Finsbury Park Majestic Ballroom, London, EnglandWon Commonwealth middleweight title
23Win21–1–1Franklin OwensTKO3 (10)8 Mar 1989Royal Albert Hall, London, England
22Win20–1–1Jimmy ShaversTKO3 (10), 2:2018 Jan 1989Royal Albert Hall, London, England
21Win19–1–1Reggie MillerTKO5 (10), 3:0024 Oct 1988Blazers Nightclub, Windsor, England
20Draw18–1–1Israel ColeTD2 (8) 28 Jul 1988 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, USCole was cut from an accidental head clash
19Win18–1Ricky StackhouseTKO4 (10)4 May 1988Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
18Win17–1Joe McKnightTKO4 (10)13 Apr 1988York Hall, London, England
17Win16–1Kenneth StylesTKO9 (10)9 Mar 1988Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
16Win15–1Don LeeTKO5 (10), 2:053 Feb 1988Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
15Win14–1Sam HoustonTKO2 (8)28 Oct 1987Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
14Win13–1Franky MoroTKO4 (8)5 Oct 1987Hotel Splendide, London, England
13Win12–1Cliff GilpinPTS819 Mar 1987York Hall, London, England
12Win11–1Ralph SmileyPTS822 Feb 1987 Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
11Win10–1Ian ChantlerTKO4 (8)19 Jan 1987 Grosvenor House Hotel, London, England
10Win9–1Alan BaptistePTS84 Nov 1986Wembley Arena, London, England
9Win8–1Simon CollinsKO1 (8) 19 Jul 1986 Wembley Stadium, London, England
8Loss7–1 James Cook PTS820 May 1986Wembley Arena, London, England
7Win7–0Carlton WarrenPTS67 May 1986Royal Albert Hall, London, England
6Win6–0Karl BarwiseTKO3 (6), 1:2919 Feb 1986Royal Albert Hall, London, England
5Win5–0Martin McEwanTKO6 (6), 1:315 Nov 1985 Wembley Arena, London, England
4Win4–0Gary TomlinsonTKO4 (6), 2:045 Jun 1985Royal Albert Hall, London, England
3Win3–0Dennis SheehanTKO3 (6), 2:0114 Apr 1985York Hall, London, England
2Win2–0Johnny ElliottTKO8 (8), 1:2026 Feb 1985 York Hall, London, England
1Win1–0Winston WrayTKO4 (4), 1:1016 Oct 1984 Royal Albert Hall, London, England

References

  1. ↑ Anthony, Andrew (4 May 2003). "Once a fighter...". The Guardian . Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Fordyce, Tom (19 April 2003). "Poignant end to Watson's epic journey". BBC Sport . BBC . Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  3. ↑ "Remembering Jason Matthews' career". Hackney Gazette. 24 December 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  4. ↑ E.g., Dooley T Point of comparison — Randolph Turpin and Michael Watson [ usurped ] BritishBoxing.net May 2008.
  5. 1 2 Lewis, Mike (15 September 2001). "Super-boxing' plan for safer, better bouts". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 22 April 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  6. ↑ Mee, Bob (20 September 2001). "Talking Boxing: Life-saving comfort for Michael Watson". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  7. ↑ "Watson's epic fightback". BBC Sport . BBC. 14 December 2003. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  8. ↑ Gareth A Davies (20 January 2011). "London Marathon 2011: Michael Watson still showing his fighting spirit by helping Brain & Spine Foundation". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  9. ↑ Sengupta, Kim (25 September 1999). "Negligent officials ordered to pay disabled boxer wins damages from" . The Independent . Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  10. ↑ Sinclair, Mike (8 November 2001). "Boxing: Board lose fight with Watson". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  11. ↑ "Michael Watson faces £400,000 compensation limit". The Daily Telegraph . 8 October 2001. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  12. ↑ "Watson completes marathon challenge". BBC Sport . BBC. 19 April 2003. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  13. ↑ "Watson receives MBE". Evening Standard. 11 February 2004. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  14. ↑ "Ex-boxer Michael Watson to carry torch". BBC Sport . BBC. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  15. ↑ "Men jailed for ex-boxer carjack attempt". 21 September 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by Commonwealth
middleweight champion
21 May 1989 – May 1991		Vacant
Title next held by
Richie Woodhall
Awards
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Mike Tyson vs.
Buster Douglas
Round 8		 KO Magazine Round of the Year
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Evander Holyfield vs.
Riddick Bowe
Round 10
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