Jim Watt your opinions please

He was OK. Not truly a great fighter, something of an overachiever. He was not particularly talented, but was a tough and cagey southpaw technician who found ways to pull out fights. He entered the ring as the underdog for his title defense against heavily hyped Howard Davis, but managed to pull off the upset - which is probably his defining moment. Also pulled out a fight he was losing to Sean O'Grady, when a head clash led to a controversial cut stoppage. Finally he bit off more than he could chew against Arguello, and he was shut down and outclassed the whole fight.

 

He was an "educated plodder" IMO..he had a decent grasp of the fundamentals, was sturdy and strong..and did a good job in displaying those very assets in outpointing Howard Davis Jr. Sean O'Grady was criminally jobbed in their fight in regards to that butt that bloodied him so badly, and it caused me to lose respect for not only Watt, but the Scots in general for their rabid nationalism. Ken Buchanan defeated Watt, and would have outclassed him even more soundly when Ken was in his championship prime. Even nationalistic theivery couldn't help him against the great Arguello, however, and the pallid overachiever's coach turned back into a pumpkin at last. He was an ok fighter..and a decent seeming chap, even despite the O'Grady atrocity. He made the most of what he had.

 

Excellent southpaw jab. Other than that he wasn't particularly gifted, though he had very solid fundamentals, if very basic.

 

Good way of putting it.

 

Smart fighter that knew his limitations and fought accordingly. Would easily be a champ today and probably reign for a while.

 

I believe that Watt was the best lightweight in the world during his title reign, and Arguello must have felt the same way in choosing to compete for his WBC title, rather than aim for the WBA honors.

Concerning O'Grady, Watt was dominating before the blood started flowing, and I'm satisfied he would have won a comfortable decision if that one had gone 15 rounds with both remaining unmarked.

Although Arguello was too much for him, I feel he acquitted himself very well in going the distance while boxing in unaccustomed retreat. Just to take Alexis the full championship distance was a remarkably rare and noteworthy achievement. Watt may not have been an ATG or HOFer, but it took a challenger of that calibre to dethrone him.

Jim Watt certainly benefited tremendously from where his title bouts took place, deriving considerable inspiration and motivation from partisan crowds. I wonder how he would have done against the same opposition on more neutral turf. I have to admit that I personally enjoyed the colorful pagentry of his ring entrances in Scotland, but fully understand how this same flagrant jingoism was considered distastful and offensive by others.

Watt met Arguello in London, and though his supporting chorus still provided highly audible singing, he did appear more resigned to a loss with dignity there than in Glasgow (where Alexis might have had to kill him, or at least send him out on a stretcher).

Very strong physically, and well conditioned for setting a grueling pace. One of the few converted right handers of his era (who simply felt more comfortable boxing out of the southpaw stance, hence the quality of his right jab).

Slower than most lightweights, his decision win over Davis, Jr. may be the ultimate example of overcoming and neutralizing superior speed in championship competition.

He deserves full credit as a rare example of a perfectly timed retirement in boxing.

For any novice run of the mill southpaw with modest ability, Jim Watt provides as fine a role model as any such champion to study and learn from.

Not in the same class as the two titleholders who preceded him (Duran and Buchanan), but I consider him to have been a bit better than the era's other premier UK southpaw champion, Minter.

 

Although it doesn't sound flattering, i think the 'educated plodder' comment nailed it.

 

I totally disagree with you on the O'Grady fight. O'Grady has turned the fight around and was getting the best of Watt when Watt screwed Sean with the headbutt.

 

Totally agree O'Grady was starting to take Watt apart when Watt delibrately put the head in ,and afterwards Watt bummed to friends I wasnt letting a boy beat me

 

Sean turned the fight around because he got Watt's blood flowing first, albeit legally, forcing Jim on the defensive. This was not something I wanted to see get decided because of bleeding from either contestant.

Watt was still leading on points when the butt occurred, although O'Grady was catching up quickly and had Watt on the brink of a corner retirement.

Before O'Grady drew blood on Watt, he had been on his toes in constant retreat, boxing defensively like a shrinking violet. I believed that would have been the pattern for 15 rounds had blood never been a factor on either side.

 

He was a decent fighter, fundamentally sound, who intimidated and handled Howard Davis Jr.

 

Only saw one mention of it, but I feel the need to underscore what a superbly conditioned fighter he was in all the fights I saw him -- which were his major bouts.

As noted, not physically gifted but supremely dedicated and made the most of what he had. He was a made champion, not a born one, and from all appearances grasped that he lacked the physical tools that his world-class opponents had so worked all the harder to gain an edge in stamina.

I fall on the side of Watts taking the cheap way against O'Grady, and begrudgingly admire him for it even though I'm a big Bubblegum fan.

 

he was no Benny, Bert or Kenny, neither was he an Alex Lafferty, Jim Brady or Jake Kilrain to mention just a few of Scotland's very best, and more than that still.

but as stated he was a grounded, dedicated solid fighter. the description already give of "educated plodder" is good, but like all top fighters he deserves a bit more credit than that. Very Good but basic.

 

I once met Reg Gutteridge and Jim Watt when we were going to the fights 1 night. I was chatting away to Reg about Ali, the british fight scene (he was really dismissive of hamed), and the world scene. As we neared the fight venue and prepared to go our seperate ways i asked Jim Watt "Jim, can i ask you the million dollar question? Did you deliberately use the nut on O'Grady?". Now every man and his dog knew he did but i wanted to hear his take on it or if,indeed, he would answer. I swear his reply was, "What the **** would you do in my position?"

Pretty honest, if not blunt, assessment

Watt made the most of his talents and it got him a long way. Fair play to him