was there ever any talk about these 2 guys facing off around this time period? Jackson would lose to McCallum in 86 and Watson would as well in 90 albeit in different divisions. Jackson would go on to capture the WBC MW belt by beating Herol Graham in 1990. Jackson would fight Milton in September 91. Watson would lose (although many/most feel otherwise) to Eubank for the WBO MW belt in June of 91. How would a fight between the Hawk and the Force have played out in 91, had Watson challenged Jackson rather than Milton in the summer of 91?
Wow. Great match-up. With Jackson it is just so difficult to factor in his great Trump card of ridiculous one-punch power but I'm leaning towards Watson's great counterpunching and patient game plan... just barely.
Watson. tko late > winning the rounds and being way ahead in the fight. This isn't a Cardamone or Milton caliber guy.
Watson ate too many shots against weaker punchers like McCallum and Eubank and was stopped late, Jackson would time him the same way he timed Graham because Herol and Watson`s offence were very predictable and the were on the centre line too much when they punched, if Jackson could stop a faster fighter like Norris than he would easily stop Watson I feel.
Disagree. And Jackson does not absorb well at all. He's in big trouble the second half of any fight if he can make it that far.
Jackson/Watson was not on the table because Jackson's eye problems meant he could not get a licence in the UK, and the fight would only be viable in the UK. As for the match up, I think Watson would be smart enough to learn from the Graham fight. He also showed against Benn he could be disciplined enough against big punchers. But he would need to be super careful as The Hawk hit even harder than Benn and had natural power (in that he still hit hard off balance). Benn at the time of the Watson fight was still very raw and crude. Watson by mid round stoppage.
Thanks for the insight as to why this fight was not really talked about or a viable alternative to the reality we have today. I see the fight similar to you as well with Watson stopping him between 8-10.
Great m Great match up philly .I certainly don't see Jackson taking him out early ,as in Bomber Graham ,Watson s radars on full alert .Watson covers up ,counters when he can ,having more success as the rounds go on . By the 9th or so Watson s looking more and more confident and on the attack .Jackson ,while still deadly has lost a lot of his energy .It's about now that Watson goes on the attack. With a beautiful combo ,ending in a fast right hook ,Jackson is hurt baldly and dropped. It only takes another couple of shots and JJ is to stunned to continue .
This is a pick em but I'll go with the boxer over the puncher, Watson won't fight Jackson with his hands down and chin the air like Graham did.
Watson was a bigger man and a much better boxer. He always did well against attacking opponents he had decent power and speed and solid chin.He tucks up for the first few rounds boxing off the back foot and takes Jackson apart in about seven rnds .unless Jackson lands a sucker punch he has a bad night.
