Michael Watson (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.

Amateur career At the age of fourteen, Watson began boxing at the Crown and Manor Boxing Club, where he trained under coaches Kemal Yalçınoğlu and Bib Kipps. Watson has recalled that Kemal told him he would become a champion during his early years in the sport, a moment he later discussed in the 2011 Sky Sports documentary The People's Champion. In 1980, he won the London Schools title in the under-71 kg division.

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.E.g., Dooley T BritishBoxing.net May 2008.

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 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. 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 using a wheelchair 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 (BBBoC) 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 [Watson] 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 Peter Hamlyn, 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 in prison for their part in the attack and other crimes.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes30Loss Chris EubankTKO12 (12), 21 Sep 1991 29Loss25–3–1 Chris Eubank1222 Jun 1991 28Win25–2–1 Anthony BrownKO1 (10)1 May 199127Win24–2–1 Craig TrotterTKO6 (12)23 Jan 1991 26Win23–2–1 Errol ChristieTKO3 (10)18 Nov 1990 25Loss22–2–1 Mike McCallumKO11 (12), 14 Apr 1990 24Win22–1–1 Nigel BennTKO6 (12), 21 May 1989 23Win21–1–1 Franklin OwensTKO3 (10)8 Mar 1989 22Win20–1–1 Jimmy ShaversTKO3 (10), 18 Jan 1989 21Win19–1–1 Reggie MillerTKO5 (10), 24 Oct 1988 20Draw18–1–1 Israel Cole2 (8)28 Jul 1988 19Win18–1 Ricky StackhouseTKO4 (10)4 May 1988 18Win17–1 Joe McKnightTKO4 (10)13 Apr 1988 17Win16–1 Kenneth StylesTKO9 (10)9 Mar 1988 16Win15–1 Don LeeTKO5 (10), 3 Feb 1988 15Win14–1 Sam HoustonTKO2 (8)28 Oct 1987 14Win13–1 Franky MoroTKO4 (8)5 Oct 1987 13Win12–1 Cliff GilpinPTS819 Mar 1987 12Win11–1 Ralph SmileyPTS822 Feb 1987 11Win10–1 Ian ChantlerTKO4 (8)19 Jan 1987 10Win9–1 Alan BaptistePTS84 Nov 1986 9Win8–1 Simon Collins1 (8)19 Jul 1986 8Loss7–1 James CookPTS820 May 1986 7Win7–0 Carlton Warren67 May 1986 6Win6–0 Karl BarwiseTKO3 (6), 19 Feb 1986 5Win5–0 Martin McEwanTKO6 (6), 5 Nov 1985 4Win4–0 Gary TomlinsonTKO4 (6), 5 Jun 1985 3Win3–0 Dennis SheehanTKO3 (6), 14 Apr 1985 2Win2–0 Johnny ElliottTKO8 (8), 26 Feb 1985 1Win1–0 Winston Wray4 (4), 16 Oct 1984

References

External links

Final two rounds of Eubank vs. Watson II at YouTube