[YT]N99rvmDHD2U[/YT] I remember him taking the switch-hitting, tall, rangey, lb4lb #1 puncher, former world #1 middleweight - Don Lee - apart as a 22 year old substitute. I remember him taking Isael Cole - who gave Reggie Johnson no end of trouble - apart in no time in Vegas on the Nunn-Tate undercard (Watson touted as Tate's next opponent) before the clash of heads. What he did to Ricky Stackhouse, bowling him over in the first 30 seconds (barely beat the count), was ridiculous considering the trouble Stackhouse had just given Graham and Duran. He bowled over John Beckles at the 1984 London ABAs in 30 seconds when Beckles had only ever lost to the top Russians/Cubans, bowled over Britain's best ever boxing prospect Errol Christie in 30 seconds. Beat a 22-0-0 (22 early KO's) Nigel Benn and knocked down Eubank for the first time in his life legit (before that fateful uppercut seconds later). In my opinion, he could've beaten the peak, legendary Mike McCallum had the fight not been rescheduled from '89 to '90, leaving Watson with a year of ring rust to try and shake off, while McCallum had a perfect warm-up against a raw, light-hitting Collins just before. Still, Watson-McCallum was arguably 50-50 after 4-5 rounds before the body shots kicked in. Michael, The Force, Watson. Career over at 26! Who knows what he'd of gone on to.
Very good fighter, decent man. Was given all the hype and then was upset by the often underrated James Cook, but then came back strong. I thought he was overmatched against Lee, but the moment he won, I knew he would beat Benn. There can be no excuses he was poor against the Bodysnatcher, but I think McCallum was always going to be a level above him. But once again he rebounded strong when there was doubts and the two Eubank fights showed up arguably his best form. And since his career ended, he his life has gone from strength to strength despite, or maybe because of his disabilities. He has become a shining light for the boxing and disability communities. He clearly has very special mental strength and drive, as doing the London Marathon showed.
I went to his 50th birthday event in London late last year Hagler was there plus many other boxers. Eubank of course. There was a video link with president of WBC and he was presented with an honorary WBC belt on stage Fabulous night - very moving
Very good post,followed his career closely from his early days very good all round fighter good technician and boxing brain.He fought to a great game plan against Benn that Sunday night in Finsbury Park.
Michaels injuries robbed us of the chance to seem him at his best. He came through adversity in and out of the ring. An example to us all. Brave brave man.
Great fighter, followed his whole career. I followed every news story hoping and praying he would come through. Peter Hamlyn did a fantastic job.
