Guernsey Press

Watson’s star on rise with English title win

BRAD WATSON has made history by becoming Guernsey’s first ever English champion after a fabulous stoppage victory in Sheffield on Friday night.

Published
The path to glory: Brad Watson (left) on the attack in a thrilling English super-flyweight title fight against Loua Nassa. (Picture by Keith Turner)

In front of a live national television audience, the 27-year-old came from behind on the scorecards to stop Loua Nassa in dramatic fashion in the 10th and final round of an enthralling super-flyweight title bout at the Ponds Forge Arena.

Watson had been pushed to the floor early in the fight but showed immense character to hit back and knock down Nassa three times, including twice in the final round, after which the referee waved off the fight.

The turning point came in the sixth round when, under pressure, Watson found a super right-hander from nowhere to floor Nassa for the first time and gave himself a foothold.

After celebrating deliriously in front of his travelling fans, Watson could reflect on an unprecedented achievement by a Sarnian boxer and admitted that a turnaround in his attitude in recent times was behind the success.

‘Big respect for Nassa, I didn’t underestimate him – I haven’t boxed in over a year, I came back with my old coach Paul Rees, who took me to 10 and 0,’ he said.

‘I thought I knew everything, jumped ship and nothing went my way, so my wife said to me that if you want to carry this on, you have to do it properly, go back to Paul.

‘I knew I had the power and when I connected it would go my way and when that right-hand landed, it would be “good night”.’

  • More in Monday's Guernsey Press.