Watson was a 1st class technician. Timing, accuracy, defence, power... an absolute joy to watch. And I'm a benn fan

When men were men and boxing was on terrestrial TV.

Watson without a doubt one of the best technically gifted boxers britains ever had.

I love the way Watson rides the Benn storm in each round, then has it dies down, Watson takes the initiative with that beautiful jab. It's a lesson In the beauty of patience and accuracy.

Warrior . After the fight straight to shake Michael Watsons hand . Great fighters pleasure to watch

Love micheal Watson.what a great skilled fighter he was..fantastic defensive fighter .God bless you micheal Watson..

It always amazed me that this fight was never talked about with legendary status. . . . . . . THE REFEREE NEVER HAD TO CALL BREAK ONCE !!!!! Amazing.

I cant think of any recent fights that are as exciting as this!

The referee doesn't have to seperate them once in this fight,very rare you see that

Still remember 23 years later how this fight took my breath away. Amazing fight! Watson was superb that night, with a perfect game-plan.

Thank you for uploading. Great display from Watson. High guard strong jab. Corner deserves credit for the tactical input.

Watson schooled Benn.

Wow Michael Watson was a great conventional boxer, he proved that solid skills and fundamentals beat brute force on this night.

This was the fight that made Nigel.he realised that steaming in and using up all his nervous energy is suicide against a master boxer.he went back to basics and worked on improving his conditioning and setting up his attacks better.michael was brilliant and proved here and against eubank he could mix it with the best.michael won the first eubank fight in most people's eyes and was seconds away from winning the second before tragedy struck.

Michael Watson..poetry in motion

The best era In middleweight boxing ever by a mile.

This fight always reminds me so much of Ali v Foreman. The flow of the fight and it's ending is so similar. Superb performance by Watson.

Ali Foreman replay. The fight that made me love counterpunchers.

Was so impressed with Watson's composure and skills at the time. I thought Benn was like a mini-Tyson but he met his Douglas here.

Watson is one of the few men on earth who could spend a lot of time on the ropes and survive Nigel Benn. Benn's power, speed and variety of punches would normally take a man apart who fights with his back to the ropes.

In Benn's book he mentioned spending all day in the barbers getting that hair do when he should have been preparing for the fight properly. He said that the braids were pulled far too tight and his scalp was almost ripping. Every time Watson punched him the pain was excrusiating. Lesson learned!

Magnificent fight! I was on holiday in Italy at the time, and spent the following day - my 22nd birthday - running around Sorrento, trying to find an English paper so I could see the result.

Watson,benn,eubank LEGENDS

A prime example of skill and tactics trumping athleticism and aggression. What a fight!

Oh and Watson was a local to me after his injury. He would often be seen around Chingford east London. He is a total gent.

This 'defeat' by Watson was literally the making of Nigel Benn!

Michael Watsons greatest night, a hero in the ring and an even bigger hero outside the ring.

Both have the hearts of lions. I don't say this lightly but I think both these men would of given their lives not lose.

Memories! Beautifully put by Reg Gutteridge ‘the big hitter has been hit’. These were both incredible talented fighters and Benn was blowing everyone away at this point, Micheal Watson was such an all round fighter and showcased it against Benn. Unfortunately we never got to see the best of him but I still feel he beat Chris Eubank Snr in both Fights! Unfortunately the second fight caused him serious damage so he couldn’t finish the fight but he definitely outboxed Benn and Eubank! ✊🏽✊🏽

This was one of the finest displays on defensive boxing and counterpunching that I've ever seen. Watson took most of Benn's bombs on his elbows and open gloves then when Benn was weary he finished him in superb style. I'm a massive Nigel Benn fan but on the night Michael fought the fight of his life.

when Benn got hit by that right hand he was like "hold on a minute, that shit hurt...let me walk it off for a sec" Lol

Benn was schooled although this defeat was the making of him.

Eubank said he learnt about boxing when he fought Watson and was devistated by the what happened when they fought. Eubank always held back from that moment.

Watson was a great boxer. I like the way he covers his face with the open glove. Good speed and power!

watson was class no two ways was gutted when he got hurt the way he did, but benn improved a hell of a lot after this fight

Good display of what I love about Benn, you can have him hurt, back against the ropes looking like he's about to get finished and he's just like "NO!!!" an just fires back and pushes them back into the ring with an assault that if lands clean would stop many good fighters! Brilliant!

Watson was a great warrior so sad his career ended so cruel much respect

I was at this fight still best I have ever witnessed the crowd was 50/50 in a tent in Finsbury Park the atmosphere electric every punch landed sent showers of sweat into the lights around the ring round 4 both men hurt and fought back wow! Went as a Ben fan and left with the upmost respect for Watson followed both of their careers and tragedies wish them both all the best and thanks for the most exciting night of my life

My Uncle's friend fought Michael Watson and got knocked out in 8 seconds. There were no silky skills THAT night.

Absolutely brilliant gameplan by Watson

What a great strategy by Watson! he knew what was coming and had the displine to stick to his plan.

Amazing! Benn was a real favourite of mine but Michael Watson really was something special!

Benn was my favourite fighter back in the days growing up as a kid but im not ashamed to say he got torn a new one against watson.

Michael Watson , Crown and Manor's finest , what a boxer , I remember this night like it was yesterday . Michael was the best boxer in our boys club back in the 80s , what a humble man . Sick that he ended up disabled . A great great shame as he was a brilliant boxer . Made all of us proud from Islington that he beat Benn on this night .

Gerald McClellan would destroyed Benn inside of 3 rounds if he fought like this. The Benn who fought McClellan and Barkley was much smarter then this one.

And hats off to Nigel for losing with such good grace.

One of best fights I've seen and the referee brilliant not once did he split them up..

The way Benn walks over to Watson immediately after he's been beaten, to acknowledge Watson's supremacy is pure class. When Watson fought Eubank in the ill-fated rematch, Benn was in the crowd cheering on Michael.

Great fight. Watson's finest hour. Benn knew after this fight that he had to change his style and learn new tricks if he was to become a world champion. He did and became one of Britain's best and favourite boxer's.

Watson boxed absolutely beautifully in this bout. VERY impressive performance

back in the day before Watson beat beat Benn he used to stand in the terraces at arsenal he was an avid gooner met him a few times knew him through boxing HE WAS VERY COURTIOUS AND UNASSUMMIMG great man and boxer no one knew of him and his talents aoart from true boxing fans after he he took Benn apart he could no longer stand in the terraces its a shame as he loved being amongst the crowd but every one knew him now

My god never knew the Brits were so destructive one of the best fights I have seen Nigel Benn is a warrior

Had a good mate in Tottenham that Was a good mate of Watson. Talked to him a few times, watson s A natural gent, really nice, polite man. My mate used to rave about him, keep your eye on him, he will be world champion in the future he used to say. I remember going past the tent on the day in my work van but had shift work or i would have been there.

A picture perfect performance from Watson. Beautiful jab and footwork and great counter punches throughout . Benn blew his gasket.

Unpopular opinion... Watson is top 5 British boxers in his division

I had forgotten what a terrific contest this was. 2 men at the top of their game, never giving an inch. Benn was awesome, Watson better. Obviously what happened to Watson was appalling, but at this stage he was some bloody fighter!

What a great fight, the entertainment value from these two boxers is priceless!!

A classic case of the boxer vs the brawler. Watson had the perfect plan for him. Great fight.

Best British fight of the 80s hardly ever talked about both Benn and Watson were magnificent!!!

watson is the best boxer i have ever seen if he was a heavy waite he be champion of the world in no time

Watson was a beautiful boxer

Watson had a better gameplan, his tightened double cover protect him from benn hard hitting. Watson himself has a clean and sharp punch that hurt benn

I was there ! 'Clown' Johnny Nelson and Kirkland laing were on the undercard. a scary experience walking back to the car

Extraordinary fight. They don't often come like this one.

I miss fights like this...boxing fvckin sucks today

I remember this fight. Actually on NBC sportsworld.

One of the great matches in boxing history. I remember watching it and admiring the hell out of Watson`s class skills and toughness to survive an onslaught from Benn which would have felled anyone else. The equals of Leonard Duran Hagler etc. It made what happened to Michael later on all the more upsetting.

Reg Gutteridge and Jim Watt, great commentary

Classy acceptance of defeat at the hands of the better man by Nigel.

Golden era of great fighters on the domestic scene.

Fair play to Benn after this defeat he shaved his pony tail off, changed his trainer and went back to basics and learned his craft.

he put Nigel Benn on his ass respect for Michael Watson good boxer.. i also liked his style

My God I fogot what a great fight this was. 6 round war. Love both these guys, all heart.

Watson fantastic in this fight. Took all Benn's best and then comes back with great shots of his own.

Watson has the same style as mayweather. Pure tenical. Doesn’t waste punchs

Michael Watson...a world champ we should of had!😟

Benn totally furious in this fight but watson a masterclass in counter punching in perhaps his finest win

My dad it's his main coach not others showed up in corner of the ring. My dad outside corner of the the ring. My dad told him when he was 13 years old one day you going to be world champion and he did. His here at my home but stupid phone not connects to TV I don't know why. It wasn't like this before, it did connect it. He asked me to put this match on.

The first Nigel Benn fight I ever watched ! And WHAT a fight to be introduced to the sport! I'll never forget how Watson KOd Benn with a jab!!

I was there with my missus. Great atmosphere!!

Great fight and was on free TV

i liked Watson he almost had eubanks too .

Always thought this fight, oddly, was the making of Benn... he was too cocky, too full of himself and got his arse handed to him by a better boxer. From then on, he was a far greater fighter imho, one of my favourite British boxers ever, so much heart and courage to go with those amazing fists.

I watched this fight live on tv in my livingroom in Stoke Newington. Too many haymakers against a high guard, Nigel.

Why did no promoter want anything to do with this fight, that’s why it was held in “Finsbury Park.”

In round 4 I Benn was started to lose control Congrats to Michael ❤🇹🇿🇬🇧

Sometimes Benn pretended to be hurt and back off and when opponent attack they forget to protect themself...but Watson seem know this strategy and always keep his both hand rise to make double cover

Wow he completely tamed and neutralized him

A much forgotten classic! They don't make em like they used too!

Watson - the true boxer's boxer, university level lesson 'how to beat a monster'

Real tragedy what happened to Watson

Great basics are hard to beat. Tight guard and a stiff jab, coupled with great self belief and fitness

Michael Watson a great man both in and out of the ring

Jim watt was a great commentator..

I was there with my dad and the atmosphere in that supertent was white hot i can tell you.when Nigel went down off that jab we thought he'd slipped.we couldn't see a thing due to everyone jumping up when he went down and the next thing we knew it was over!.

Wow Watson was amazing boxer -...brilliant--.Benn loved a brawl -

Two legends!!!

It's amazing how Eubank beat both.

The cumulative effect of Watson's shots eventually did for Benn. I don't think Benn outpunched himself but rather Watson got too many sneaky shots in and Benn eventually succumbed.

My hats off to both these young warriors..Nigel / Watson wow ..these were the days of The Herns / Haggler class acts , there's no room for a marshmallow Carnelo..drug cheaters.these guys did it the right way..