Real name Jim Watt Wins 38 Weight 61 kg Total fights 46 Stance Southpaw Role Boxer | Nationality Scottish Name Jim Watt Martial art Boxing Rated at Lightweight Wins by KO 27 Spouse Margaret Watt | |
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Children Michelle Watt, Jim Watt Jr., Andrew Watt | ||
Jim Watt MBE (born 18 July 1948) 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.
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Boxing career
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 incorrectly that O' Grady's cut had been produced by a punch, therefore, Watt officially, but unjustly, 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 was 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.
During 2017, Watt announced his retirement as a boxing commentator.
Death of daughter and son
In June 2015, Watt's 38-year-old daughter Michelle Watt was found dead in her home, after apparently taking her own life. She appeared in numerous programs as a television hostess, including 60 Minute Makeover. Watt's 17-year-old son James died in a car crash in 1995.