Just read it, awesome stuff. Incredible, incredible stuff. Not being a boxing fan until a few years ago I didn't know much about him really but have had a look at some of his fights, I'm impressed. Tragic what happened but incredible story, every boxing fan should read. Michael's comeback is genuinely phenomenal and the kinda guy everyone should respect. He was on Ringside recently I think and says he doesn't regret a thing in his career, he was born to be a fighter. Jokers who come on here slating many boxers and trainers should remember the risks a man(or woman) takes when he steps in that ring and the responsibility those helping the boxer have. Someone should add him to the ESB encyclopedia if he isn't on already. Anyone got any good stories about him or saw him in action? Also learnt more about the BBBofC and Frank Warren through the book. My opinions on both have altered, with their actions and behaviour. I think worse of the former, better of Allegedly. I don't know the ins and outs but doing the right thing is often the most important.
I haven't read Watson's book but I'm reading Dark "Trade: Lost in Boxing" at the moment, and have just finished the chapter on Eubank and Watson. It ends with Watson recovering but still hospitalised and still resentful towards Eubank. Great book so far. What was it in the Watson book that made you think worse of the BBBofC and better of Warren?
Is this the latest version, or is there a newer re-issue available?: [ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Watsons-Story-Biggest-Fight/dp/0751534854/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298891303&sr=1-1#_[/ame]
Dark Trade is awesome, one of the best boxing books I've ever read, possibly one of my favourite books ever. Donald Macrae is superb. The way the BBBofC fought Watson in court, trying to claim that his injuries would have occurred even if the proper medical provisions were in place. After losing the court case they appealed and appealed again I believe. This cost over a million in legal fees (not sure if that's on both sides though) - money that could've been put towards Watson's recovery instead. Pointless waste of money. They offered him £180,000 to settle out of court, up from an initial £75,000. He would've accepted £220,000(whether the board are aware of this is unclear). In the end FW(who has never made any money out of Watson) got all sides together in a room and said if the board didn't do the right thing then he wouldn't pay any licence fees.(Obviously that would **** the board over). So a deal was put in place and Watson gets the money he needs to have a decent quality of life. (Long term deal I think, complicated). I think that's the latest one, covers the marathon right at the end, I was given it for free so I'm not sure but that looks like the same one.
i totally agree it is a superb book very honest and frank and moving in parts i finishd it ages ago and its just gatherin dust if anyone wants it (uk only) pm me and u can have it
yep the biggest fight is a excellent book and definitely one of the better boxing auto-biographies i've read.
£75K?? Even allowing that was 20 odd years ago, it's a paltry sum to offer for his life changing injuries! :-(
ha, i literally started reading this today, i've only read like 10 pages, glad to see it has got good vibes
Atberry that's a very good interview with him but BN don't like being linked to from here so maybe best to remove. It's kinda weird how I get gven the book and suddenly he's back on ringside and in BN at th same time, must be as it was 20 years since it happened. And rasch- it wasn't like the 75k was offered at that time, believe it was quite a while down the line.
I tried and tried to get this book re-published a few years back - I had Michael on the Setanta boxing hour and there was a bit of a campaign online at the time. The book needs a new intro, a new chapter and a proper launch. As I said at the time, if the book sells a million copies and is made into an Oscar-winning film I don't receive an extra penny. My cash is banked and spent! When it was released it was not even entered into the Sports Book of the Year, which carries a hefty cash prize; three of the judges called me to ask why? If I repeated the reason, the lawyers for the publishing house would sue me - they have twice threatened and warned me to keep my mouth shut! Do you think a signing of the book would work? That is assuming that I could get hold of 100 or so copies? Would people buy a second-hand book if Michael was there to sign it? Adios.
That's horrendous. From what I've read there was no ambulance or paramedic at the fight, the brawl at ringside delayed the arrival of a stretcher, and there were no oxygen tents or other medical equipment that could have been used at the time. I think Watson settled at a sum that allowed the BBBofC to stay out of bankruptcy, when really he should have got a lot more.