Michael Watson


Michael Watson, 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 near-fatal injury sustained during a loss to Chris Eubank for the WBO super-middleweight title in 1991.

Amateur career

Watson took up boxing at the age of fourteen at the Crown and Manor boxing club, 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, 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.

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. 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. He spent 40 days in a coma and had six brain operations to remove a blood clot.
After regaining consciousness, he spent over a year in intensive care and rehabilitation and six more years as a wheelchair user 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".

Life after boxing

Watson sued the British Boxing Board of Control for negligence and won damages reputedly of around £1 million. 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". 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. The judge said that this was "sadly a long way short of the damages that would have received had the defendants had the money or had they been insured".
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.
Finishing the race by his side were Chris Eubank and his neurosurgeon, both of whom had become his personal friends. On 4 February 2004 Watson was awarded the MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to disability sport. Watson was announced as a torchbearer in the 2012 Paralympic relay.
In February 2017 Watson and his carer, Lennard Ballack, were victims of a carjacking in Chingford, London. 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 for their part in the attack and other crimes.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
30Loss25–4–1 Chris EubankTKO12, 0:2921 Sep 1991 White Hart Lane, London, EnglandFor vacant WBO super-middleweight title
29Loss25–3–1 Chris Eubank1222 Jun 1991 Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, EnglandFor WBO middleweight title
28Win25–2–1 Anthony BrownKO1 1 May 1991 York Hall, London, England
27Win24–2–1 Craig TrotterTKO6 23 Jan 1991 Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, EnglandRetained Commonwealth middleweight title
26Win23–2–1 Errol ChristieTKO3 18 Nov 1990 National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England
25Loss22–2–1 Mike McCallumKO11, 2:2214 Apr 1990 Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandFor WBA middleweight title
24Win22–1–1 Nigel BennTKO6, 1:3421 May 1989 Finsbury Park Majestic Ballroom, London, EnglandWon Commonwealth middleweight title
23Win21–1–1 Franklin OwensTKO3 8 Mar 1989 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
22Win20–1–1 Jimmy ShaversTKO3, 2:2018 Jan 1989 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
21Win19–1–1 Reggie MillerTKO5, 3:0024 Oct 1988 Blazers Nightclub, Windsor, England
20Draw18–1–1 Israel Cole2 28 Jul 1988 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, USTD after Cole was cut from an accidental head clash
19Win18–1 Ricky StackhouseTKO4 4 May 1988 Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
18Win17–1 Joe McKnightTKO4 13 Apr 1988 York Hall, London, England
17Win16–1 Kenneth StylesTKO9 9 Mar 1988 Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
16Win15–1 Don LeeTKO5, 2:053 Feb 1988 Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
15Win14–1 Sam HoustonTKO2 28 Oct 1987 Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
14Win13–1 Franky MoroTKO4 5 Oct 1987 Hotel Splendide, London, England
13Win12–1 Cliff GilpinPTS819 Mar 1987 York Hall, London, England
12Win11–1 Ralph SmileyPTS822 Feb 1987 Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
11Win10–1 Ian ChantlerTKO4 19 Jan 1987 Grosvenor House Hotel, London, England
10Win9–1 Alan BaptistePTS84 Nov 1986 Wembley Arena, London, England
9Win8–1 Simon Collins1 19 Jul 1986 Wembley Stadium, London, England
8Loss7–1 James CookPTS820 May 1986 Wembley Arena, London, England
7Win7–0 Carlton Warren67 May 1986 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
6Win6–0 Karl BarwiseTKO3, 1:2919 Feb 1986 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
5Win5–0 Martin McEwanTKO6, 1:315 Nov 1985 Wembley Arena, London, England
4Win4–0 Gary TomlinsonTKO4, 2:045 Jun 1985 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
3Win3–0 Dennis SheehanTKO3, 2:0114 Apr 1985 York Hall, London, England
2Win2–0 Johnny ElliottTKO8, 1:2026 Feb 1985 York Hall, London, England
1Win1–0 Winston Wray4, 1:1016 Oct 1984 Royal Albert Hall, London, England