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MICHAEL WATSON vs. Nigel Benn
vs. Israel Cole
vs. Chris Eubank I
vs. Chris Eubank II
vs. Mike McCallum
vs. Israel Cole
vs. Chris Eubank I
vs. Chris Eubank II
vs. Mike McCallum
Michael Watson Fights on DVD
$24.95
$24.95
Fights in the set include:
Michael Watson (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 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]
Rematch with Eubank and injury
A rematch was arranged on 21 September 1991 at White Hart Lane, this time for the vacant WBO world 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 he was back on his feet, and Eubank 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] After some eight minutes, doctors wearing dinner jackets arrived, 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 movements and regained ability to speak and write.
[edit] Life after boxing
Watson sued the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) for negligence and won damages reputedly 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".[7] 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.
[8] 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".[9]
[edit] Marathon effort
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.[10] 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 actual visit to Buckingham Palace, although
they had passed in front of the Palace many times before.
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 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]
Rematch with Eubank and injury
A rematch was arranged on 21 September 1991 at White Hart Lane, this time for the vacant WBO world 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 he was back on his feet, and Eubank 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] After some eight minutes, doctors wearing dinner jackets arrived, 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 movements and regained ability to speak and write.
[edit] Life after boxing
Watson sued the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) for negligence and won damages reputedly 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".[7] 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.
[8] 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".[9]
[edit] Marathon effort
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.[10] 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 actual visit to Buckingham Palace, although
they had passed in front of the Palace many times before.