Jim Watt

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jim Watt

Statistics
Real name Jim Watt
Rated at Lightweight
Nationality Flag of Scotland Scottish
Birth date 18 July 1948 (1948-07-18) (age 59)
Birth place Glasgow, Scotland
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights 46
Wins 38
Wins by KO 27
Losses 8
Draws 0
No contests 0
This article is about the boxer. For the former American ice hockey player see Jim Watt (ice hockey)

Jim Watt (born July 18, 1948) is a former Scottish boxer from Glasgow, who became world champion in the lightweight division when Roberto Duran 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.

Watt also fought, and lost to, Ken Buchanan. On June 20, 1981, he fought his last fight, when losing the WBC world Lightweight title to Alexis Arguello by a 15 round decision in London. Watt retired with a record of 38 wins (27 by knockout) and 8 losses (3 by knockout).

Preceded by
Roberto Duran
Vacated
WBC Lightweight Champion
17 Apr 1979– 20 Jun 1981
Succeeded by
Alexis Arguello

Contents

[edit] After Boxing

Watt is, alongside former world Middleweight champion Alan Minter, a guest dinner speaker and autograph signer, and he was given an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II. 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 2008, he is still with Sky as a co-commentator and analyst.

[edit] Trivia

  • Jim's daughter Michelle Watt is a television presenter.
  • Jim Watt made a special appearance on BBC's Still Game in August of 2007.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links