Michael Watson

For other people named Michael Watson, see Michael Watson (disambiguation).
Michael Watson

Michael Watson in February 2008
Statistics
Real name Michael Watson
Nickname(s) "The Force"
Rated at Super middleweight
Nationality England English
Born 15 March 1965
London, England
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 30
Wins 25
Wins by KO 21
Losses 4
Draws 1
No contests 0

Michael Watson, MBE (born 15 March 1965 in Hackney, London) is a retired British boxer whose career ended prematurely as a result of near-fatal injury sustained in a WBO super-middleweight title fight defeat by Chris Eubank in September 1991.[1]

Boxing career

Amateur record

Watson took up boxing at the age of fourteen at the Crown and Manor boxing club,[2] where he proved to be a quick learner, winning an under-71 kg London Schools title in 1980.

Though losing amateur contests in 1981 against Garry Sanderson and southpaw Roy Connors, 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, ended the fight in just over 30 seconds. As a result, Watson was seen as Great Britain's best hope for a medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. However, his 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 support dissension by some commentators and supporters.[3]

Rematch with Eubank and 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 a right hook. 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.[1] Doctors wearing dinner jackets arrived after some eight minutes, during which time the fallen fighter received no oxygen. A total of 28 minutes elapsed before Watson received treatment in a hospital neurosurgical unit.[4][5] He spent 40 days in a coma and had six brain operations to remove a blood clot.[6]

After regaining consciousness, he spent over a year in intensive care and rehabilitation and six more years in a wheelchair[1] 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".[7]

Life after boxing

Watson sued the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) for negligence and won damages reputedly of around £1 million.[4] 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".[8] 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.[9] 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".[10]

London Marathon

On 19 April 2003, Michael Watson made headlines when he 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 that followed him along the way.[11] Finishing the race by his side were Chris Eubank and his neurosurgeon, both of whom had become his personal friends.[1]

On 4 February 2004, Watson was awarded the MBE by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. She told him that she had heard of his achievements. Watson was overjoyed and noted that this was his family's first visit to Buckingham Palace, although they had passed in front of the Palace many times before.

London Paralympic Games 2012

Michael Watson was announced as a torchbearer in the Paralympic relay.[12]

Professional boxing record

25 Wins (21 knockouts, 4 decisions), 4 Loss, 1 Draw[13][14]
Res. Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Lost United Kingdom Chris Eubank TKO 12 (12) 21 September 1991 England White Hart Lane, Tottenham, London Bout was for the WBO Super-middleweight title.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Lost United Kingdom Chris Eubank MD 12 22 June 1991 England Earls Court, Kensington, London Bout was for the WBO middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win Trinidad and Tobago Anthony Brown KO 1 (10) 1 May 1991 England York Hall, Bethnal Green, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win Australia Craig Trotter TKO 6 (12) 23 January 1991 England Brentwood Leisure Centre, Brentwood, Essex
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United Kingdom Errol Christie TKO 3 (10) 18 November 1990 England National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Lost Jamaica Mike McCallum KO 11 (12) 14 April 1990 England Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London Bout was for the WBA middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United Kingdom Nigel Benn TKO 6 (12), 1:34 21 May 1989 England Majestic Ballroom, Finsbury Park, London Won Commonwealth (British Empire) Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United States Franklin Owens TKO 3 (10), ret. 8 March 1989 England Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United States Jimmy Shavers TKO 3 (10), 2:20 18 January 1989 England Kensington, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United States Reggie Miller TKO 5 (10), 3:00 24 October 1988 England Blazers Night Club, Windsor, Berkshire Stopped on cuts before the sixth round.
Draw Sierra Leone Israel Cole TD 2 (8) 28 July 1988 United States Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada Cole was unable to continue after being cut by an accidental headbutt.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United States Ricky Stackhouse TKO 4 (10) 4 May 1988 England Grand Hall, Wembley, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United States Joe McKnight (boxer) TKO 4 (10) 13 April 1988 England York Hall, Bethnal Green, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United States Kenneth Styles TKO 9 (10) 9 March 1988 England Wembley, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United States Don Lee TKO 5 (10) 3 February 1988 England Wembley, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United States Sam Houston TKO 2 (8) 28 October 1987 England Grand Hall, Wembley, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win Ghana Franki Moro TKO 4 (8) 5 October 1987 England Piccadilly, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United Kingdom Cliff Gilpin Decision (unan.) 8 19 March 1987 England York Hall, Bethnal Green, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United States Ralph Smiley Decision (unan.) 8 22 February 1987 England Wembley, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United Kingdom Alan Baptiste Decision (unan.) 8 4 November 1986 England Wembley, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United Kingdom Simon Collins KO 1 (8) 19 July 1986 England Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Lost United Kingdom James Cook Decision (unan.) 8 20 May 1986 England Wembley, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United Kingdom Carlton Warren Decision (unan.) 6 7 May 1986 England Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United Kingdom Karl Barwise TKO 3 (8), 1:29 19 February 1986 England Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United Kingdom Martin McEwan TKO 6 (8), 1:31 5 November 1985 England Wembley, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United Kingdom Gary Tomlinson TKO 4 (8), 2:04 5 June 1985 England Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United Kingdom Dennis Sheehan TKO 3 (8), 2:01 14 April 1985 England York Hall, Bethnal Green, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United Kingdom Johnny Elliott TKO 8 (8), 1:20 26 February 1985 England York Hall, Bethnal Green, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win United Kingdom Winston Wray TKO 4 (4), 1:10 16 October 1984 England Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Fordyce, Tom (19 April 2003). "Poignant end to Watson's epic journey". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  2. ↑ "Remembering Jason Matthews' career". Hackney Gazette. Archant. 24 December 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  3. ↑ E.g., Dooley T Point of comparison — Randolph Turpin and Michael Watson BritishBoxing.net May 2008.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lewis, Mike (15 September 2001). "Super-boxing' plan for safer, better bouts". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  5. ↑ Mee, Bob (20 September 2001). "Talking Boxing: Life-saving comfort for Michael Watson". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  6. ↑ "Watson's epic fightback". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 December 2003. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Sengupta, Kim (25 September 1999). "Negligent officials ordered to pay disabled boxer wins damages from". The Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  9. ↑ Sinclair, Mike (8 November 2001). "Boxing: Board lose fight with Watson". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  10. ↑ "Michael Watson faces £400,000 compensation limit". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. 8 October 2001. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  11. ↑ "Watson completes marathon challenge". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 April 2003. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  12. ↑ "Ex-boxer Michael Watson to carry torch". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  13. ↑ "Boxer: Michael Watson". BoxRec. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  14. ↑ "Michael Watson: Career Record". Michael Watson. Retrieved 12 January 2009.

External links