Despite having occurred decades ago, certain boxing incidents are so shocking that they cannot be forgotten.
The worst thing that happened to Michael Watson thirty years ago was today.
Michael Watson's nearly fatal injury to Chris Eubank thirty years ago was prevented
.
He went from being a 26-year old super-fit fighter to a mental and bodily wreck. It was an absolute abomination.
It still sends chills down my spine to think back to the horrible scenes I saw from White Hart Lane ringside on that 1991 night.
It was preventable.
The British Boxing Board of Control's incompetence was the key to Michael's demise.
Michael could have lived a normal existence if the medical team that is now mandatory had it been there.
It was typical of the build-up for his return to WBO super-middleweight with Chris Eubank.
They had some animosity -- Michael, who is usually calm, was mad because he felt that the judges had denied him victory in their first clash 15-months earlier.
There was certainly a hostile atmosphere among the opposing camps.
It was evident from the first bell that it would be a close fight.
As they reached the final rounds, there was no doubt who was winning. Michael was the top judge.
In the final 39 seconds of the fight, nobody could have predicted that his life would be overturned.
Just ten seconds remained in the penultimate round when Eubank was floored by a right-handed clubbing hand.
I glanced at Michael, and his self-satisfied expression indicated that he was thinking, "Got you at least."
He might have wondered if he was about be named the champion of the world.
Eubank however had other ideas.
Watson was also up when he saw him and he launched himself at Watson, executing a vicious uppercut flush to his chin.
Michael was lifted to the ground by the impact. His head bounced off the second of the four ropes at the bottom, possibly contributing to his brain damage.
The bell saved him. He was able to get up when Michael got off his stool for the 12th round.
After Eubank had hit another round of head punches, Roy Francis, the referee, stopped the match 29 seconds later.
Pandemonium was then created.
The fans began fighting and the ring was surrounded by officials, radio and TV interviewers as well as people who were not allowed to be there. Michael's distress was not noticed until he fell to the ground. This is when it became apparent that proper medical care was not available.
Paramedics were not on duty so there wasn't an ambulance at the ready.
Michael was without vital oxygen for 28 minutes before he was admitted to a neurosurgical unit at a hospital.
Michael spent 40 days in a coma as a result of this unforgivable gaffe. This led to six brain surgeries.
He spent over a year in intensive medical care and was kept in a wheelchair for six more years.
My contention, though it cannot be proven, has been that Eubank's punches were not what caused him to suffer so much. Michael challenged Mike McCallum, a brilliant WBA world middleweight champion, at the Royal Albert Hall 17 months prior.
It was awful to see McCallum beat Watson unmercifully and continue beating him until he knocked him out cold with four head punches.
I believe that Michael's punishment at that time had an impact on his tragic injuries.
Peter Hamlyn (Michael's famous neurosurgeon) pointed out that the first eight months were so depressing.
He couldn't hear, speak or walk. Slowly, he reclaimed it all.
So extraordinary. It is amazing that despite all the pain he has endured, Michael is still able to live with joy.
He loves boxing and being with boxing people.
It has taken him years to find a sense of normality again.
He can be found working out at the Lea Valley Leisure Centre and lifting heavy bags a few times per week.
His social life is full as a grandfather of 56 years.
He regularly visits many ex-boxer's associations.
Michael Watson is one of the bravest among the brave. It's no surprise that he is loved by his fans and his fellow pros everywhere he goes.
