Jim Watt (boxer)

Jim Watt
Statistics
Real name Jim Watt
Rated at Lightweight
Nationality Scottish
Born (1948-07-18) 18 July 1948
Glasgow, Scotland
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

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

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

References

  1. ↑ Rozina Sabur (11 October 2015). "TV presenter Michelle Watt took her own life because of chronic headaches her father reveal's". Telegraph.
  2. ↑ http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/boxing-legend-jim-watt-speaks-1068236
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


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