Jim Watt - IBHOF?

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by atberry, Jun 16, 2011.


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  1. atberry

    atberry Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Jim Watt was not the most fluid or stylish of boxers, but he was almost ridiculously strong, able to absorb punishment and sustain attacks long into a championship fight. He had an excellent boxing brain and loved 15-rounders.

    As an amateur Jim beat John H Stracey in one round. He was probably the freshest near-10-year pro around when he signed for Terry Lawless.

    It's said that when he first joined that stable in Canning Town, with his pale blonde choirboy looks, they all licked their lips regarding sparring with him. Within a month, Watt had sussed them all out apparently - all of them, and none of them could take him off his feet, not even middleweights.

    Nobody gave Jim a prayer against Howard Davis, despite the fact Davis only had 13 bouts going in. Davis was a superstar said to be the next big thing and voted as the best boxer of the Montreal Olympics ahead of Ray Leonard.

    Jim set out to frustrate Davis into making mistakes - he heard from a reliable sourse that Davis had watched him on video and concluded "Watt is easy to hit!" Our Jim knew, too, that Davis had bags of talent and hand speed, but Davis simply didn't reckon on Jim's two greatest assets: his strong chin and his tactical ability.

    Every time Davis set himself to throw a jab or combinations, Jim slid back a few inches, nullifying the full effects of most of the blows. He frustrated him into making mistakes and having to fight on Jim's terms. Jim controlled the fight almost throughout. Davis couldn't handle that too well - he didn't expect Jim to be such a tough proposition.

    However, all credit to Davis at the end of the 10th round, he spontaneously touched Jim's gloves to acknowledge he underestimated him.

    Some of Davis' punches obviously reached the target - Watt had a damaged eye and bruised ribs - but typical of the blonde southpaw's courage, this didn't stop him from leading an ecstatic Glasgow crowd in a post-fight rendition of "Flower of Scotland" through the Ibrox rain.

    He also beat Sean O'Grady and shared a ring with all-timers Ken Buchanan and Alexis Arguello, and won five back-to-back WBC world title fights in the days there were only two belts (WBC and WBA).


    "I thought Watt won quite handidly. Howard Davis is a wonderful, brilliant boxer, but Jim Watt beat him to the punch and outboxed him. Jim Watt is the best recent lightweight champion we've had, with the exception of Roberto Duran." - Bob Arum told BBC's Des Lynam
     
    atberry, Jun 16, 2011
    atberry, Jun 16, 2011
    #1
  2. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    Davis and O'Grady ain't enough....off the top of my head (it is early I admit) I can't think of much else on his resume.
     
    Flea Man, Jun 16, 2011
    Flea Man, Jun 16, 2011
    #2
  3. atberry

    atberry Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    He's also served boxing as a commentator and pundit for nearly 30 years.
     
    atberry, Jun 17, 2011
    atberry, Jun 17, 2011
    #3
  4. atberry

    atberry Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    It's actually 30 years this Monday since Jim ended his career against Arguello. I reckon Buncey needs to feature next weeks BH on it.
     
    atberry, Jun 17, 2011
    atberry, Jun 17, 2011
    #4
  5. Scottrf

    Scottrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Standards are too low when Tszyu gets in IMO, no to Watt.
     
    Scottrf, Jun 17, 2011
    Scottrf, Jun 17, 2011
    #5
  6. Casamayor122

    Casamayor122 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It would be a stretch. But the HOF has low standards. Bobby Chacon, Jeff Chandler, Pipino Cuevas, Khaosai Galaxy, Victor Galindez, Eder Jofre, Carlos Zarate, Duilio Loi, Brian Mitchell, Carlos Palomino, Edwin Rosario, Orlando Canizales, Ingemar Johansson etc. McGuigan who is usually used as a the measuring stick to who should or shouldn't get in actually isn't the worst in there.

    Even a boxer like Ken Buchanan who beat Watt isn't that far ahead in terms of accomplishments. He basically beat a last-fight-of-career Ortiz and Laguna and was 3-2 in World title fights.
     
    Casamayor122, Jun 17, 2011
    Casamayor122, Jun 17, 2011
    #6
  7. Scottrf

    Scottrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Oh dear Eder Jofre in a list showing the HOF has low standards, wow :nut
     
    Scottrf, Jun 17, 2011
    Scottrf, Jun 17, 2011
    #7
  8. Evil Rick

    Evil Rick Active Member Full Member

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    I think he deserves it when you combine his career as a boxer with that of his commentary. Although a lot of people hate his commentary and he really does make me shout at the tele sometimes, I like the guy, I think he talks more like a fan than anything especially during the Haye - Valuev fight when he didn't think Haye was doing enough in Germany to win a decision (it's exactly what I thought so that probably helped) and the same with commentary during Hatton - Pacquiao. I think he will get in, however I can see it being a when he dies situation which usually lowers the bar for getting in as sentiment and respect usually goes up when someone passes away.
     
    Evil Rick, Jun 17, 2011
    Evil Rick, Jun 17, 2011
    #8
  9. Geddy Lee

    Geddy Lee Well-Known Member Full Member

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    it is a crime that Jim Watt is not in the HOF great fighter, great boxing brain, fantastic commentator. should be in there without a doubt,

    **** me if McGuigan gets in there is hope for everyone on here to get a chance
     
    Geddy Lee, Jun 17, 2011
    Geddy Lee, Jun 17, 2011
    #9
  10. Casamayor122

    Casamayor122 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    You have been reading too much Classic ESB. They think Carlos Zarate is an ATG. When you look at Jofre's resume what do you see? His title run is weak. Jose Medel is the stand out in that group. Jose Medel!!! And a completely shot Saldivar flown in to Brazil as cannon fodder.
     
    Casamayor122, Jun 17, 2011
    Casamayor122, Jun 17, 2011
    #10
  11. vegasjim

    vegasjim Member Full Member

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    no mention here that the uvf threatened gradys life on the night of the fight.watt was a manufactured champion who basically was just above british standard.
     
    vegasjim, Jun 17, 2011
    vegasjim, Jun 17, 2011
    #11
  12. pong

    pong Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Young Stribling gets in jim should get in
     
    pong, Jun 17, 2011
    pong, Jun 17, 2011
    #12
  13. GazOC

    GazOC Guest Star for Team Taff Full Member

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    Just above British standard? He was European champ before he won the WBC title. He showed he was clearly above British level around that time when he took out Charlie Nash (also a European champ) in 4 rounds in a title defence.
     
    GazOC, Jun 17, 2011
    GazOC, Jun 17, 2011
    #13
  14. gasman

    gasman Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Jim Watt should be in the IHOF, not only for his ring achievements but his long and outstanding work as a commentator and pundit.
     
    gasman, Jun 17, 2011
    gasman, Jun 17, 2011
    #14
  15. mckay_89

    mckay_89 Haw you! Full Member

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    I thought that was proven to be made up by O'Grady's dad?
     
    mckay_89, Jun 17, 2011
    mckay_89, Jun 17, 2011
    #15
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