| Jim Watt | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Jim Watt |
| Rated at | Lightweight |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Born | 18 July 1948 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 46 |
| Wins | 38 |
| Wins by KO | 27 |
| Losses | 8 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
Jim Watt (born 18 July 1948) is a former Scottish boxer, who became world champion in the lightweight division when Roberto Durán left the title vacant in 1979 and the WBC had him fight Alfredo Pitalua. Watt knocked out Pitalua in twelve rounds.
Watt beat such notables as future world champion Sean O'Grady, former world champion Perico Fernandez, Charlie Nash and Howard Davis Jr.. The fight with O'Grady was particularly controversial: Watt won by a knockout in round twelve when the referee stopped the fight because of a cut suffered by O'Grady. According to the book, The Ring Boxing The 20th Century, the cut was produced by a head-butt, in which case the judges' scorecards would have been checked, and whoever was ahead given the win by a technical decision. The referee, however, declared that O' Grady's cut had been produced by a punch, therefore, Watt officially won the fight by knockout. When O'Grady won the WBA title four months later Watt was declared lightweight champion by The Ring.
Watt also fought, and lost to, Ken Buchanan. On 20 June 1981, he fought his last fight, when losing the WBC world Lightweight title to Alexis Argüello by a 15 round decision in London. Watt retired with a record of 38 wins (27 by knockout) and 8 losses (3 by knockout).
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Watt is, alongside former world Middleweight champion Alan Minter, a guest dinner speaker and autograph signer, and he was given an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II. He was long-term co-commentator with Reg Gutteridge on ITV's The Big Fight Live and moved with Gutteridge to Sky Sports in 1996 when ITV withdrew from boxing coverage. As of 2011, he is still with Sky as a co-commentator and analyst. He currently resides in Kirkintilloch in East Dumbartonshire.
| Preceded by Roberto Durán Vacated |
WBC Lightweight Champion 17 Apr 1979 – 20 Jun 1981 |
Succeeded by Alexis Argüello |
| The Ring Lightweight Champion 12 April 1981 – 20 Jun 1981 |