Michael Watson: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|British boxer}}

:''This article is about the boxer. For the Member of the [[Scottish Parliament]], see [[Michael Goodall Watson]]''.

{{Other people}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}

{{Use British English|date=April 2012}}

{{Infobox boxer

| name = Michael Watson<br><small>[[Order of the British Empire|MBE]]</small>

| image = Michael Watson.jpg

| caption = Watson in 2008

| nickname = The Force<ref>Anthony, Andrew (4 May 2003). [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/may/04/boxing.features "Once a fighter..."]. ''[[The Guardian]]''. [[Guardian Media Group]]. Retrieved 21 August 2016.</ref>

| weight = {{plainlist|

*[[Middleweight]]

*[[Super-middleweight]]

}}

| nationality = British

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1965|3|15|df=y}}

| birth_place = [[London]], England

| style = [[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]

| total = 30

| wins = 25

| KO = 21

| losses = 4

| draws = 1

}}

'''Michael Watson''' {{post-nominals|country=UK|MBE}} (born 15 March 1965) is a British former [[professional boxer]] who competed from 1984 to 1991. He held the [[Commonwealth Boxing Council|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 [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]] [[super-middleweight]] title in 1991.<ref name="MarathonEnd">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/london_marathon_2003/2958573.stm|title=Poignant end to Watson's epic journey|last=Fordyce |first=Tom|date=19 April 2003|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=12 January 2009}}</ref>

'''Michael Watson''' (born [[March 15]], [[1965]]) is a former [[Boxing|boxer]] from [[England]]. Born in [[London]], he is a resident of [[Islington]]. He was one of the smoothest, defensive boxers you could ever lay eyes on. Although he did not become a world champion, many in England see him as a hero.

==Amateur career==

Watson began boxing in 1979 and instantly adapted well to the sport, reaching the ABA junior final in 1980 (139 lbs.), he won the ABA juniors the following year (147 lbs.) and was also an NABC semi-finalist (147 lbs.). By 1982 he was London ABA Champion (156 lbs.), having defeated quality opposition such as [[Roy Andre]] and [[Rod Douglas]] en route to the title. Watson lost a close and controverisal decision to [[Errol Christie]] to decide who went to the [[1982]] [[Commonwealth Games]] in [[Brisbane]], [[Austrialia]]. Two years later, Watson lost a close and controverisal decision to Rod Douglas to decide who went to the [[1984]] [[Olympic Games]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[USA]]. However, Watson was in Los Angeles as a reserve for the [[Great Britain]] [[Olympic]] team.

Watson took up boxing at the age of fourteen at the Crown and Manor boxing club,<ref>{{cite web|url=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|title=Remembering Jason Matthews' career|date=24 December 2008|work=Hackney Gazette|accessdate=13 January 2009}}</ref> where he proved to be a quick learner, winning an under-71&nbsp;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&nbsp;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 [[Boxing at the 1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games]]. However, that place on the Olympic team was taken by Liverpool's [[Brian Schumacher]].

Watson debuted professionally on [[October 16]], 1984 as a [[Middleweight]], beating [[Winston Wray]] by a knockout in round four in London. Watson was almost instantly one of [[BBC]] Grandstand's best prospects, a boxing purists favourite due to his composed, thoughtful approach to his boxing.

==Professional career==

Many criticised Watson's manager [[Micky Duff]] for bringing him along slowly in the first four and half years of his career, but Watson was steadily climbing the rankings even though most of his opposition were poor. Michael had endured an educational points loss in [[1986]] to future British champion [[James Cook]] in his first ever eight-round fight with three-minute rounds, he was out-hussled by Cook rather than out-boxed and it was a very close decision. In his next fight, he fought at [[Wembley Stadium]] on the undercard of the world heavyweight title fight between Tim Witherspoon and Frank Bruno, winning via knockout in round one. After six further wins, he came up against one of the [[Kronk]] Gym's best prospects in [[Don Lee]]. After defeating Lee even more impressively than one of America's best prospects Michael Olijade managed, legendary trainer Emmanuel Steward told the BBC camera's that Watson was a "future all-timer". Watson was a Top 10 contender during the era of [[Sugar Ray Leonard]], [[Thomas Hearns]] and [[Roberto Duran]], it was a great era to be a Top 10 contender.

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.<ref>E.g., Dooley T ''{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080526005754/http://www.britishboxing.net/news_3410-Point-of-comparison-Randolph-Turpin-and-Michael-Watson.html Point of comparison — Randolph Turpin and Michael Watson]}}'' BritishBoxing.net May 2008.</ref>

Watson came up against respectable [[American]] opposition in [[Kenneth Styles]], [[Joe McKnight]] and [[Ricky Stackhouse]] in 1988, one after another he defeated them by TKO in fights where he barely broke a sweat and came out wihout a mark on him. He defeated Stackhouse even more impressively than [[Frank Tate]], [[Herol Graham]] and [[Roberto Duran]] had managed. Next up was a trip to [[Davenport]], [[USA]] to spend a few weeks training with Top American Middleweight contender [[Michael Nunn]]. American boxing promoter [[Dan Goosen]] promised Watson that if both he and Nunn won their fights at [[Caeser's Palace]], [[Las Vegas]], Watson would be Nunn's first challenger for the [[IBF]] Middleweight Championship of the World. Watson was involved in the supporting fight to Nunn's challenge for the IBF title against IBF Champion Frank Tate, but in a stroke of bad luck Watson caught his opponent [[Israle Cole]] with an accidental headbutt in the second round and the fight was called off. Goosen then told Watson that he'd have to prove that he's the best Middleweight in Britain, by defeating Herol Graham, if he was to have a shot at Nunn's IBF title.

===Rematch with Eubank and career-ending injury===

British Champion Herol 'Bomber' Graham proved very elusive to Watson, claiming he had bigger fish to fry as he looked for a world title shot rather give Watson a shot at the British title. But after Watson defeated respectable American [[Reggie Miller]] even more impressively than one of boxing's best prospects 'The Dark Destroyer' [[Nigel Benn]], it became apparent that Watson should challenge Britain's menacing puncher Benn for his [[Commonwealth]] title. The fight was arranged quickly and recieved a lot of attention in the build-up.

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.<ref name="MarathonEnd" /> 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.<ref name="Super-boxing">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/3012877/%60Super-boxing%27-plan-for-safer%2C-better-bouts.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130422061607/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/3012877/%60Super-boxing%27-plan-for-safer,-better-bouts.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 April 2013|title=Super-boxing' plan for safer, better bouts|last=Lewis|first=Mike|date=15 September 2001|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=12 January 2009}}</ref><ref name="TalkBoxing">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/3013208/Talking-Boxing-Life-saving-comfort-for-Michael-Watson.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505064204/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/3013208/Talking-Boxing-Life-saving-comfort-for-Michael-Watson.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=Talking Boxing: Life-saving comfort for Michael Watson|last=Mee|first=Bob|date=20 September 2001|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=12 January 2009}}</ref> He spent 40 days in a [[coma]] and had six brain operations to remove a blood clot.<ref name="SPOTY">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3318795.stm|title=Watson's epic fightback|date=14 December 2003|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=12 January 2009}}</ref>

Benn seemed to be using the opportunity to fight Watson as some kind of coronation, he was a fans favourite who had brutally knocked out all of his 22 opponents (most of which in the early stages) and the plan was to set Benn loose in America where his aggressive, exciting style was bound to find favour, Benn-Watson was screened live in America and if Benn knocked out Watson it was guaranteed from American boxing promoter [[Bob Arum]] that Benn would have a shot at Nunn. Benn was an ITV fighter whereas Watson was a BBC fighter. Benn was a puncher whereas Watson was a counter-puncher. The vast majority felt that Benn was going to blast Watson out of the ring, but a lot of shrewd people in the boxing business knew that Watson could pull off a shock.

After regaining consciousness, he spent over a year in intensive care and rehabilitation and six more years confined to a wheelchair<ref name="MarathonEnd"/> 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".<ref name=" GA Davies_The Daily Telegraph">{{cite news

A circus style venue, dubbed the 'super tent', was erected in North London's [[Finsbury Park]]. The excitement on the night of the fight, [[May 21]] [[1989]], was palpable both to attendees and viewers on national television where it was broadcast live on terrestrial ITV at prime time. Benn had a flashy ring entrance and looked ready, but Watson surprised everyone with his peek-a-boo style. Watson tucked up, absorbed Benn's heavy leather and knocked out the exhausted Commonwealth Champion with a jab in the sixth. It was a masterclass in strategy and execution, Watson at his best.

| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/london-marathon/8269871/London-Marathon-2011-Michael-Watson-still-showing-his-fighting-spirit-by-helping-Brain-and-Spine-Foundation.html

|title = London Marathon 2011: Michael Watson still showing his fighting spirit by helping Brain & Spine Foundation

| date = 20 January 2011

| author = Gareth A Davies

| work = [[The Daily Telegraph]]

| accessdate = 20 January 2011

}}</ref>

==Life after boxing==

After the Benn victory a fight against [[International Boxing Hall of Famer]] [[Mike McCallum]] for the [[WBA]] Middleweight title was arranged. However, it was postponed twice and when it did finally take place Watson had been out of the ring for nearly a year and had had only four weeks to prepare. The fight ended in heartbreak for Watson, he had been ceaselessly body-punched by the appropriately monikored 'Body Snatcher' and was stopped in the eleventh round.

[[Watson v British Boxing Board of Control|Watson sued]] the [[British Boxing Board of Control]] (BBBoC) for negligence and won damages reputedly of around £1 million.<ref name="Super-boxing"/> 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/negligent-officials-ordered-to-pay-disabled-boxer-wins-damages-from-1121589.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/negligent-officials-ordered-to-pay-disabled-boxer-wins-damages-from-1121589.html |archive-date=14 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Negligent officials ordered to pay disabled boxer wins damages from |last=Sengupta |first=Kim|date=25 September 1999|work=[[The Independent]]|accessdate=13 January 2009}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/3016403/Boxing-Board-lose-fight-with-Watson.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911060013/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/3016403/Boxing-Board-lose-fight-with-Watson.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 September 2012|title=Boxing: Board lose fight with Watson|last=Sinclair|first=Mike|date=8 November 2001|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=12 January 2009}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/3014373/Michael-Watson-faces-400000-compensation-limit.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505083420/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/3014373/Michael-Watson-faces-400000-compensation-limit.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=Michael Watson faces £400,000 compensation limit|date=8 October 2001|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=12 January 2009}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Marathon">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/london_marathon_2003/2960025.stm|title=Watson completes marathon challenge|date=19 April 2003|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=12 January 2009}}</ref>

After three more wins, he was given a second world title fight, on [[June 22]], [[1991]], against WBO world champion [[Chris Eubank]]. Watson lost a close bout by twelve round decision, and many fans and critics thought that he should have been crowned world champion that night, so the WBO ordered an immediate rematch.

Finishing the race by his side were Chris Eubank and his neurosurgeon Peter Hamlyn, both of whom had become his personal friends.<ref name="MarathonEnd"/> On 4 February 2004 Watson was awarded the [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] by Queen [[Elizabeth II]] for his services to disability sport.<ref>{{cite news|title=Watson receives MBE|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/watson-receives-mbe-6973910.html|accessdate=9 October 2017|work=Evening Standard|date=11 February 2004}}</ref> Watson was announced as a torchbearer in the 2012 Paralympic relay.<ref name="Paralympic Games">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19354358|title=Ex-boxer Michael Watson to carry torch|date=23 August 2012|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=23 August 2012}}</ref>

In February 2017 Watson and his carer, Lennard Ballack, were victims of a carjacking in [[Chingford]], [[London]].<ref name="BBC Carjacking">{{cite news |title=Men jailed for ex-boxer carjack attempt |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-45600667 |accessdate=7 November 2019 |date=21 September 2018}}</ref> 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.

His rematch with Eubank, held on [[September 21]], [[1991]], would turn out to be a turning point for Watson's life. It has been called one of the most brutal fights in British boxing history. After dropping Eubank in round eleven, Watson seemed confident that victory was his. However, Eubank, probably feeling desperate to retain his title, landed a punch to Watson's chin just as that same round ended and Watson fell. Watson did not recuperate completely from this punch before the next round began. Eubank felt he was behind on points and needed a knockout, so he proceeded to punish Watson along the ropes. After the fight was stopped by the referee, chaos ensued because Watson suddenly collapsed inside the ring.

Watson's career-ending bout and the risk of boxing from [[Frank Bruno|Frank Bruno's]] career threatening (later proven career-ending) eye injury were documented on ''[https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Four-Kings/0P127TOEUZYEGZE40Z8KTEO3B7 Four Kings]'' mini documentary. He made an appearance for the final episode. He admitted that he has never resented Eubank for the injury.

In need of quick medical help, he faced some dire moments: there was no ambulance or paramedics at the event's site, and Watson went 30 minutes without oxygen, finally being put on an oxygen mask after an ambulance had been rushed from a nearby hospital. These 30 minutes without oxygen proved vital in the outcome of Watson's future, and he spent 40 days in a [[coma]]. It is believed that the 30 minutes Watson spent without oxygen are among the largest amount of time that a person has gone without oxygen and survived in history.

==Professional boxing record==

Chris Eubank himself was affected after this: he went on to be defeated by [[Steve Collins]] a couple of years later, and he went through hard emotional times, as many boxers do after these types of boxing accidents, as reflected by his win-loss record after the second fight with Watson.

{{BoxingRecordSummary

|draws=1

|ko-wins=21

|ko-losses=2

|dec-wins=4

|dec-losses=2

}}

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|-

!{{abbr|No.|Number}}

!Result

!Record

!Opponent

!Type

!Round, time

!Date

!Location

!Notes

|-

|30

|{{no2}}Loss

|{{nowrap|25–4–1}}

|style="text-align:left;"| [[Chris Eubank]]

|TKO

|12 (12), {{small|0:29}}

|21 Sep 1991

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|[[White Hart Lane]], London, England}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For vacant [[list of WBO world champions#Super middleweight|WBO super-middleweight title]]}}

|-

|29

|{{no2}}Loss

|25–3–1

|style="text-align:left;"| [[Chris Eubank]]

|{{abbr|MD|Majority decision}}

|12

|22 Jun 1991

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|[[Earls Court Exhibition Centre]], London, England}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For [[list of WBO world champions#Middleweight|WBO middleweight title]]}}

|-

|28

|{{yes2}}Win

|25–2–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Anthony Brown

|KO

|1 (10)

|1 May 1991

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|York Hall, London, England}}

|

|-

|27

|{{yes2}}Win

|24–2–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Craig Trotter

|TKO

|6 (12)

|23 Jan 1991

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|[[Brentwood Centre]], [[Brentwood, Essex|Brentwood]], England}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained Commonwealth middleweight title}}

|-

|26

|{{yes2}}Win

|23–2–1

|style="text-align:left;"| [[Errol Christie]]

|TKO

|3 (10)

|[[Nigel Benn vs. Chris Eubank|18 Nov 1990]]

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|[[National Exhibition Centre]], [[Birmingham]], England}}

|

|-

|25

|{{no2}}Loss

|22–2–1

|style="text-align:left;"| [[Mike McCallum]]

|KO

|11 (12), {{small|2:22}}

|14 Apr 1990

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Royal Albert Hall, London, England}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For [[list of WBA world champions#Middleweight|WBA middleweight title]]}}

|-

|24

|{{yes2}}Win

|22–1–1

|style="text-align:left;"| [[Nigel Benn]]

|TKO

|6 (12), {{small|1:34}}

|21 May 1989

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|[[Finsbury Park (area)|Finsbury Park]] Majestic Ballroom, London, England}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[list of Commonwealth Boxing Council champions#Middleweight|Commonwealth middleweight title]]}}

|-

|23

|{{yes2}}Win

|21–1–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Franklin Owens

|TKO

|3 (10)

|8 Mar 1989

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Royal Albert Hall, London, England}}

|

|-

|22

|{{yes2}}Win

|20–1–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Jimmy Shavers

|TKO

|3 (10), {{small|2:20}}

|18 Jan 1989

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Royal Albert Hall, London, England}}

|

|-

|21

|{{yes2}}Win

|19–1–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Reggie Miller

|TKO

|5 (10), {{small|3:00}}

|24 Oct 1988

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Blazers Nightclub, [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]], England}}

|

|-

|20

|{{draw}}Draw

|18–1–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Israel Cole

|{{abbr|TD|Technical draw}}

|2 (8)

|[[Frank Tate vs. Michael Nunn|28 Jul 1988]]

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|[[Caesars Palace]], [[Paradise, Nevada]], US}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Cole was cut from an accidental head clash}}

|-

|19

|{{yes2}}Win

|18–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Ricky Stackhouse

|TKO

|4 (10)

|4 May 1988

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Wembley Conference Centre, London, England}}

|

|-

|18

|{{yes2}}Win

|17–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Joe McKnight

|TKO

|4 (10)

|13 Apr 1988

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|York Hall, London, England}}

|

|-

|17

|{{yes2}}Win

|16–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Kenneth Styles

|TKO

|9 (10)

|9 Mar 1988

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Wembley Conference Centre, London, England}}

|

|-

|16

|{{yes2}}Win

|15–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Don Lee

|TKO

|5 (10), {{small|2:05}}

|3 Feb 1988

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Wembley Conference Centre, London, England}}

|

|-

|15

|{{yes2}}Win

|14–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Sam Houston

|TKO

|2 (8)

|28 Oct 1987

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Wembley Conference Centre, London, England}}

|

|-

|14

|{{yes2}}Win

|13–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Franky Moro

|TKO

|4 (8)

|5 Oct 1987

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Hotel Splendide, London, England}}

|

|-

|13

|{{yes2}}Win

|12–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Cliff Gilpin

|PTS

|8

|19 Mar 1987

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|York Hall, London, England}}

|

|-

|12

|{{yes2}}Win

|11–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Ralph Smiley

|PTS

|8

|22 Feb 1987

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|[[Wembley Conference Centre]], London, England}}

|

|-

|11

|{{yes2}}Win

|10–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Ian Chantler

|TKO

|4 (8)

|19 Jan 1987

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|[[Grosvenor House Hotel]], London, England}}

|

|-

|10

|{{yes2}}Win

|9–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Alan Baptiste

|PTS

|8

|4 Nov 1986

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Wembley Arena, London, England}}

|

|-

|9

|{{yes2}}Win

|8–1

|style="text-align:left;"| Simon Collins

|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}

|1 (8)

|[[Tim Witherspoon vs. Frank Bruno|19 Jul 1986]]

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|[[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], London, England}}

|

|-

|8

|{{no2}}Loss

|7–1

|style="text-align:left;"| [[James Cook (boxer)|James Cook]]

|PTS

|8

|20 May 1986

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Wembley Arena, London, England}}

|

|-

|7

|{{yes2}}Win

|7–0

|style="text-align:left;"| Carlton Warren

|{{abbr|PTS|Points decision}}

|6

|7 May 1986

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Royal Albert Hall, London, England}}

|

|-

|6

|{{yes2}}Win

|6–0

|style="text-align:left;"| Karl Barwise

|TKO

|3 (6), {{small|1:29}}

|19 Feb 1986

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Royal Albert Hall, London, England}}

|

|-

|5

|{{yes2}}Win

|5–0

|style="text-align:left;"| Martin McEwan

|TKO

|6 (6), {{small|1:31}}

|5 Nov 1985

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|[[Wembley Arena]], London, England}}

|

|-

|4

|{{yes2}}Win

|4–0

|style="text-align:left;"| Gary Tomlinson

|TKO

|4 (6), {{small|2:04}}

|5 Jun 1985

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Royal Albert Hall, London, England}}

|

|-

|3

|{{yes2}}Win

|3–0

|style="text-align:left;"| Dennis Sheehan

|TKO

|3 (6), {{small|2:01}}

|14 Apr 1985

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|York Hall, London, England}}

|

|-

|2

|{{yes2}}Win

|2–0

|style="text-align:left;"| Johnny Elliott

|TKO

|8 (8), {{small|1:20}}

|26 Feb 1985

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|[[York Hall]], London, England}}

|

|-

|1

|{{yes2}}Win

|1–0

|style="text-align:left;"| Winston Wray

|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}

|4 (4), {{small|1:10}}

|16 Oct 1984

|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|[[Royal Albert Hall]], [[London]], England}}

|

|}

==References==

Watson woke up from his coma, but even then, his prognosis was not good. His neurosurgeon was afraid Watson would never speak or walk again. He spent many years at the hospital, slowly recovering some of his movements, and regaining the ability to eat regular food, read, and write simple notes. Still, in [[1999]], his neurosurgeon wrote that Watson would never be able to walk again.

{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==

Soon after, the doctor's prognosis began to change, as Watson started getting off bed and was able to begin walking therapy. But his doctor was still a little negative: He said that Watson would have a hard time walking half the distance of a room.

*{{Boxrec|id=1787}}

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvh9-xr0gOQ Final two rounds of Eubank vs. Watson II] at [[YouTube]]

{{s-start}}

On [[April 19]], [[2003]], Michael Watson made headlines and became an instant national hero in England, when he was able to complete, after 6 days, the [[London Marathon]]. Finishing the race by his side were Chris Eubank and his neurosurgeon, who has become a personal friend of his.

{{s-sports}}

{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Nigel Benn]]}}

{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Commonwealth Boxing Council champions#Middleweight|Commonwealth<br>middleweight champion]]

|years=21 May 1989 – May 1991}}

{{s-vac|next=[[Richie Woodhall]]}}

{{s-ach|aw}}

{{s-before|before={{nowrap|[[Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas|Mike Tyson vs.<br>Buster Douglas]]}}<br>{{small|Round 8}} }}

{{s-ttl|title=''[[KO Magazine]]'' Round of the Year<br>{{small|vs. Michael Watson II<br>Round 11}}

|years=1991}}

{{s-after|after={{nowrap|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Riddick Bowe|Evander Holyfield vs.<br>Riddick Bowe]]}}<br>{{small|Round 10}} }}

{{s-end}}

{{Authority control}}

Watson received, on [[February 4]] of [[2004]], an [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] by [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|HRH Queen Elizabeth II]]. She told him that she had heard of his achievements. Watson himself felt overjoyed and noted that this was the first visit to [[Buckingham Palace]] by him, his brother and his mother, although they had passed in front of the Palace many times before.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Watson, Michael}}

Another of Nigel Benn's rivals, [[Gerald McClellan]], went through a similar, life threatening situation, but McClellan's emergency, unlike Watson's, occurred after a fight with Benn himself. McClellan was also told he'd never be able to talk or walk again, but he has slowly been recuperating both abilities too.

[[Category:1965 births]]

[[Category:Living people]]

The [[BBBC]], [[United Kingdom|Britain]]'s governing boxing commission, was enraged that there were no paramedics at the site, citing that not only the boxers themselves, but also the large public could be in danger if another emergency occurred to anyone during a boxing event in Britain. As a consequence of this, the regulatory body made it a requirement for boxing promoters to have ambulances, medical doctors and paramedics on the site of the boxing event. Watson was awarded $1 million [[US dollar|dollars]], most of it to cover for his medical expenses.

[[Category:English male boxers]]

[[Category:Middleweight boxers]]

Watson had 26 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws as a boxer, with 21 wins by knockout.

[[Category:Super-middleweight boxers]]

[[Category:1965English births|Watson,people Michaelof Jamaican descent]]

[[Category:EnglishSportspeople boxers|Watson,of MichaelJamaican descent]]

[[Category:Middleweights|Watson,People Michaelwith traumatic brain injuries]]

[[Category:Commonwealth Boxing Council champions]]

[[Category:People with severe brain damage]]

[[Category:Members_of_the_Order_of_the_British_Empire]]