AMBASSADORS

MICHAEL WATSON MBE

Michael “The Force” Watson, MBE is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 1991. He held the Commonwealth middleweight title from 1989 to 1991, and challenged three times for a world title between 1990 and 1991. Watson's career was cut short as a result of near-fatal injury sustained during a loss to Chris Eubank for the WBO super-middleweight title in 1991.

There was no ambulance or paramedic at the event. Doctors wearing dinner jackets who were at the event as spectators arrived after eight minutes, during which time Michael received no oxygen. A total of 28 minutes elapsed before he received treatment in a hospital neurosurgical unit.  He spent 40 days in a coma and had six brain operations to remove a blood clot. After regaining consciousness, he spent over a year in intensive care and rehabilitation and six more years as a wheelchair user while he slowly recovered some movement and regained the ability to speak and write. The first eight months were extremely hard as he couldn't hear, couldn't speak, and couldn't walk. But, he slowly clawed it all back.  Michael is an extraordinary human and someone whose strength we admire and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.

On 4 February 2004 Michael was awarded the MBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his services to disability sport. He positively continues to want to use his experience to inspire people and to help others overcome hard ships. Michael still has his own daily struggles but strives forward to continue life with his immensely strong mental drive.