- Michael Watson
-
For other people named Michael Watson, see Michael Watson (disambiguation).
Michael Watson 
Michael Watson in February 2008Statistics Real name Michael Watson Rated at Super middleweight Nationality 
EnglishBorn 15 March 1965
London, EnglandStance 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]
Contents
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 Carroll, 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]
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".[5] 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.[6] 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".[7]
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.[8] Finishing the race by his side were Chris Eubank and his neurosurgeon, who 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.
Professional boxing record
24 Wins (21 knockouts, 4 decisions), 5 Loss, 1 Draw[9][10] Res. Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes Win 
Winston WrayTKO 4 (4), 1:10 16 October 1984 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, LondonWin Johnny ElliottTKO 8 (8), 1:20 26 February 1985 York Hall, Bethnal Green, LondonWin Dennis SheehanTKO 3 (8), 2:01 14 April 1985 York Hall, Bethnal Green, LondonWin Gary TomlinsonTKO 4 (8), 2:04 5 June 1985 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, LondonWin Martin McEwanTKO 6 (8), 1:31 5 November 1985 Wembley, LondonWin Karl BarwiseTKO 3 (8), 1:29 19 February 1986 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, LondonWin Carlton WarrenDecision (unan.) 6 7 May 1986 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, LondonLost James CookDecision (unan.) 8 20 May 1986 Wembley, LondonWin Simon CollinsKO 1 (8) 19 July 1986 Wembley Stadium, Wembley, LondonWin Alan BaptisteDecision (unan.) 8 4 November 1986 Wembley, LondonWin Ian ChantlerTKO 4 (8) 19 January 1987 Mayfair, LondonWin 
Ralph SmileyDecision (unan.) 8 22 February 1987 Wembley, LondonWin Cliff GilpinDecision (unan.) 8 19 March 1987 York Hall, Bethnal Green, LondonWin 
Franki MoroTKO 4 (8) 5 October 1987 Piccadilly, LondonWin Sam HoustonTKO 2 (8) 28 October 1987 Grand Hall, Wembley, LondonWin Don LeeTKO 5 (10) 3 February 1988 Wembley, LondonWin Kenneth StylesTKO 9 (10) 9 March 1988 Wembley, LondonWin Joe McKnight (boxer)TKO 4 (10) 13 April 1988 York Hall, Bethnal Green, LondonWin Ricky StackhouseTKO 4 (10) 4 May 1988 Grand Hall, Wembley, LondonDraw 
Israel ColeTD 2 (8) 28 July 1988 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NevadaCole was unable to continue after being cut by an accidental headbutt. Win Reggie MillerTKO 5 (10), 3:00 24 October 1988 Blazers Night Club, Windsor, BerkshireStopped on cuts before the sixth round. Win Jimmy ShaversTKO 3 (10), 2:20 18 January 1989 Kensington, LondonWin Franklin OwensTKO 3 (10), ret. 8 March 1989 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, LondonWin Nigel BennTKO 6 (12), 1:34 21 May 1989 Majestic Ballroom, Finsbury Park, LondonWon Commonwealth (British Empire) Middleweight title. Lost 
Mike McCallumKO 11 (12) 14 April 1990 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, LondonBout was for the WBA middleweight title. Win Errol ChristieTKO 3 (10) 18 November 1990 National Exhibition Centre, BirminghamWin 
Craig TrotterTKO 6 (12) 23 January 1991 Brentwood Leisure Center, Brentwood, Essexloss 
Anthony BrownKO 1 (10) 1 May 1991 York Hall, Bethnal Green, LondonLost Chris EubankMD 12 22 June 1991 Earls Court, Kensington, LondonBout was for the WBO middleweight title. Lost Chris EubankTKO 12 (12) 21 September 1991 White Hart Lane, Tottenham, LondonBout was for theWBO middleweight title. References
- ^ a b Fordyce, Tom (19 April 2003). "Poignant end to Watson's epic journey". BBC Sport. BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/london_marathon_2003/2958573.stm. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
- ^ "Remembering Jason Matthews' career". Hackney Gazette. Archant. 24 December 2008. http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/content/hackney/gazette/sport/story.aspx?brand=HKYGOnline&category=SportBoxing&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=sporthkyg&itemid=WeED24%20Dec%202008%2011%3A30%3A21%3A583. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- ^ E.g., Dooley T Point of comparison — Randolph Turpin and Michael Watson BritishBoxing.net May 2008.
- ^ Lewis, Mike (15 September 2001). "Super-boxing' plan for safer, better bouts". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/3012877/%60Super-boxing%27-plan-for-safer%2C-better-bouts.html. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
- ^ Sengupta, Kim (25 September 1999). "Negligent officials ordered to pay disabled boxer wins damages from". The Independent. Independent News & Media. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/negligent-officials-ordered-to-pay-disabled-boxer-wins-damages-from-1121589.html. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
- ^ Sinclair, Mike (8 November 2001). "Boxing: Board lose fight with Watson". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/3016403/Boxing-Board-lose-fight-with-Watson.html. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
- ^ "Michael Watson faces £400,000 compensation limit". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. 8 October 2001. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/3014373/Michael-Watson-faces-400000-compensation-limit.html. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
- ^ "Watson completes marathon challenge". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 April 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/london_marathon_2003/2960025.stm. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
- ^ "Boxer: Michael Watson". BoxRec. http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=001787&cat=boxer. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
- ^ "Michael Watson: Career Record". Michael Watson. http://www.michaelwatsonmbe.co.uk/record.php. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
External links
Categories:- 1965 births
- Living people
- English boxers
- Middleweight boxers
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