Jim Watt | |
---|---|
Statistics | |
Real name | Jim Watt |
Rated at | Lightweight |
Nationality | Scottish |
Born | Glasgow, Scotland |
18 July 1948
Stance | Southpaw |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 46 |
Wins | 38 |
Wins by KO | 27 |
Losses | 8 |
Draws | 0 |
No contests | 0 |
Jim Watt (born 18 July 1948) MBE, is a Scottish former boxer, and commentator who became world champion in the lightweight division when Roberto Durán left the title vacant in 1979 and the WBC had him fight Alfredo Pitalua. Watt knocked out Pitalua in twelve rounds.
Watt beat such notables as future world champion Sean O'Grady, former world champion Perico Fernandez, Charlie Nash and Howard Davis Jr.. The fight with O'Grady was particularly controversial: Watt won by a knockout in round twelve when the referee stopped the fight because of a cut suffered by O'Grady. According to the book, The Ring Boxing The 20th Century, the cut was produced by a head-butt, in which case the judges' scorecards would have been checked, and whoever was ahead given the win by a technical decision. The referee, however, declared that O' Grady's cut had been produced by a punch, therefore, Watt officially won the fight by knockout. When O'Grady won the WBA title four months later Watt was declared lightweight champion by The Ring.
Watt also fought, and lost to, Ken Buchanan. On 20 June 1981, he fought his last fight, when losing the WBC world Lightweight title to Alexis Argüello by a 15 round decision in London. Watt retired with a record of 38 wins (27 by knockout) and 8 losses (3 by knockout).
After Boxing[edit]
Watt, along with former world Middleweight champion Alan Minter, earns his living as an after dinner speaker. He was awarded an MBE. He was long-term co-commentator with Reg Gutteridge on ITV's The Big Fight Live and moved with Gutteridge to Sky Sports in 1996 when ITV withdrew from boxing coverage. As of 2015, he is still with Sky as a co-commentator and analyst. Jim Watt made a special guest appearance on the BBC's Still Game in August, 2007, as well as television adverts for Kelvin Timber (a Scottish home and building supplies stores company) in the mid to late 1980's. "Go for Kelvin Timber the champs in DIY"
Death of daughter[edit]
In June 2015, Watt's 38-year-old daughter Michelle Watt was found deceased in her home, after apparently taking her own life. She appeared in numerous programs as a television hostess, including 60 Minute Makeover. Jim Watt's 17-year-old son James died in a car crash in 1995.[1][2]
See also[edit]
- List of British lightweight boxing champions
- List of lightweight boxing champions
- List of WBC world champions
References[edit]
- ^ Rozina Sabur (11 October 2015). "TV presenter Michelle Watt took her own life because of chronic headaches her father reveal's". Telegraph.
- ^ http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/boxing-legend-jim-watt-speaks-1068236
External links[edit]
- Professional boxing record for Jim Watt from BoxRec
- Ken Buchanan - Lightweight Champion of the World - Ken Buchanan site with detailed bio, statistics, full fights and more
Achievements | ||
---|---|---|
Vacant
Title last held by
Willie Reilly |
British Lightweight Champion 3 May 1972 - 29 January 1973 |
Succeeded by Ken Buchanan |
Preceded by Roberto Durán Vacated |
WBC Lightweight Champion 17 April 1979 – 20 June 1981 |
Succeeded by Alexis Argüello |
The Ring Lightweight Champion 12 April 1981 – 20 June 1981 |